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4-30-2008 - Jurgen Fohlmeister receives 2007 Award for
Best Aviation Author from the MN Aviation Hall of Fame
Jurgen Fohlmeister, a long time Thunderbird customer, and a research physicist at the University of Minnesota, will receive an award from the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame for Best Aviation Writing by a Minnesotan for 2007. In 1988, Mr. Fohlmeister flew a Thunderbird Piper Arrow, N-1641H, over the North Pole and through Europe. As a result of this trip, he wrote Polar Flight, which takes readers along as co-pilot to learn the history of Arctic exploration, geography, geology, and navigation.

Born in Germany, Fohlmeister has lived in Minneapolis for 55 years. He studied at the University of Bonn and earned a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Minnesota, where he is an associate professor. On May 3rd, Fohlmeister will will receive an award from the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame for Best Aviation Writing by a Minnesotan for 2007 for his book Polar Flight.

So what inspires someone to fly over the North Pole? Unlike Erhardt, Yeager and the many unheralded adventure pilots of the past, you can still discuss that question with him. Like his predecessors, the initial response to Jurgen's idea was met by skepticism. But also like his predecessors, Jurgen was not swayed by critics of his dream.

Jurgen's flight to "the pole" touched everyone at Thunderbird Aviation. In addition to flight information and planning, he worked with Thunderbird's maintenance shop to coordinate the retrofit of the airplane. Extended fuel tanks and navigation systems that would work over the North Pole were installed. This, along with all the other modifications, had to be FAA certified and deemed airworthy.

As we at Thunderbird look back on this memorable flight, some may ask: why a polar flight? While there were many more pressing issues to address at the time, there truly was something special about this project that made sense for us to follow it through. This adventure allowed Thunderbird to bust out of a routine, and live vicariously through the success of our customer and friend Jurgen Fohlmeister.

3-3-2008 - Thunderbird Aviation offers Innovative Career Program
Minneapolis, MN: Thunderbird Aviation announced today that they are starting an innovative career pilot training program to meet rising demand for airline pilots worldwide. "Even though Congress recently raised the maximum age for airline pilots to 65, we are still seeing record demand for pilots, especially at the regional airline level," said Christopher Cape, Thunderbird's Director of Operations. He continued, " our new Fast-Trac program is designed to offer students with little or no prior training to gain valuable multi-engine flying experience while building the necessary flight hours to be competitive for airline pilot jobs."

The curriculum for Fast-Trac was developed by airline pilots and career flight instructors and is one of the most comprehensive programs in the country. "We are offering students more flexibility than any of our competitors, by allowing students to begin the program as a student pilot and choosing either the airline geared track or a flight instructor track," said Alex Haak, Thunderbird's Chief Flight Instructor. The cost of the Fast-Trac program includes lodging, if desired, and allows students to fly from any Thunderbird location in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.

Thunderbird Aviation has also entered into an agreement with Academy College to provide college credit for completing the Fast-Trac program. Academy College, located in Bloomington, MN, is an accredited four year college awarding Bachelor of Science Degrees, Associate Degrees and Certificates. "Many students are trying to take advantage of the current hiring wave in the airlines and want to complete their flight training as fast as possible while still receiving a college degree and Academy College can make this possible," said Tracey Schantz, Director-Academy College. She added, "Fast-Trac students can go to the airlines, use the time spent at Thunderbird as credit and finish their degree on-line in their free time." 

Former National Air Transportation Association board member and current President of Thunderbird Aviation, Nancy Grazzini-Olson, added "Fast-Trac is a program that offers real value for the aspiring airline pilot and will make graduates highly competitive for positions within the airline industry. Thunderbird has a long history of producing quality graduates and we are excited to continue this tradition through this new program."

For more information, please visit Career Pilot Training/Fast-Trac or call Thunderbird Aviation at (952) 941-1212 (Eden Prairie, MN), or (763) 533-4162 (Crystal, MN). If you'd like more information about this topic or to schedule an interview call Chris Cape at (952) 941-1212.

2-20-2008 - Thunderbird Aviation awarded five Firewatch contracts by the State of Minnesota; becomes one of the fastest growing aerial services companies in Upper Midwest
Eden Prairie, MN: Thunderbird Aviation announced today that they have been awarded five aerial detection contracts by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. As part of this contract, the company will provide both aircraft and pilots for the 2008 and 2009 fire seasons and develop pilot and equipment domiciles in Pine River, MN and Cloquet, MN.

"We are very excited to work with the State of Minnesota in this critical capacity and are pleased to be able to create new jobs across the region in support of this contract," commented Nancy Grazzini-Olson, President-Thunderbird Aviation. "Our company has a long history of success in working with both government and private industry in meeting their aerial services needs and I am confident that we can create substantial long term value for both our State and taxpayers," added Ms. Olson.

Beginning in March 2008, Thunderbird Aviation will operate detection flights in Aitkin, Backus, Cambridge, Cloquet, and Little Falls, Minnesota. The company will begin the process of hiring pilots and support staff during the month of February and will announce specific qualifications, compensation and bases shortly. "With this contract, Thunderbird will be the fastest growing general aviation services company in Minnesota and we're proud to be able to offer this opportunity to both our current Flight Instructors and pilots from across Minnesota," said Christopher Cape, Chief Pilot-Aerial Services.

12-1-2007 - Thunderbird Aviation becomes Tecnam Light Sport Distributor
Thunderbird Aviation has become the Tecnam Light Sport Aircraft Distributor for Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska. Tecnam, building Sport Aircraft in Italy since 1992, currently has 3 models of light sport aircraft on the US market, the Super Echo, Sierra, and Bravo, with over 2200 of all types flying worldwide.

"With Thunderbird Aviation becoming a distributor, service center, and training center for Tecnam, we are bringing sport aviation to the Upper Midwest in a scale not seen before," says Thunderbird Aviation's Aircraft Sales Manager- Alex Haak. "Sport, Private, and even a sport instructor student have already started training in the new aircraft."

Thunderbird Aviation is currently operating one Tecnam Bravo in their training fleet with two more due by the end of the year. Contact Alex Haak at 612-767-9923 or click on contact button for more information on services provided by Thunderbird and Tecnam Aircraft.