As a companion the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame, the Minnesota aviation history book is available. The book describes in brief form, the careers of over 350 of Minnesota’s pioneer aviation personalities, in addition to providing a wealth of information about flying in the earliest years.

The aviation fraternity in Minnesota, and indeed, the nation, owes a lot to the pioneer pilots, engineers, mechanics and entrepreneurs that people the colorful history of flying in the North Star State.

In this book, you can journey through the multitude of endeavors that the early flyers and their mentors experienced. Take off on a barnstorming ride with an itinerant free-spirited young aviator, travel by air from state to state over the mountains in a 1930s airliner, feel the intensity of interest as a world reacts to a young Minnesotan’s flight across the ocean to Paris, and witness the frantic activity that followed the declaration of war heralding WWII. Whether you embrace the collection of anecdotes about real heroes of the period, or need a solid sourcebook for periodic reference, the book’s 288 pages are sure to capture your interest.

Written by historians Noel Allard and Gerald Sandvick, the 9” x 11-1/4” hardcover book includes major biographies of Walter Bullock, Clarence Hinck and Speed Holman plus thumbnails of more than 350 other important Minnesota aviation persons. Chapters are arranged chronologically within category beginning with the balloon flights of the late 19th century and follows with chapters on the pioneering years, including the Great War; the barnstorming era between the wars; the record setters; women pioneers; aeronautical engineers; and the Minnesota-Alaska connection. Next comes the story of the inventors, designers and homebuilders, the State’s early airports, the beginning of the airlines, the early air mail, and air commerce. The story turns to the military connection, the story of the early Air Guard, the Naval Air Station, the CPT and WTS, and all the contributions Minnesota made to the war effort such as modifying the Doolittle Raiders, glider manufacturing, propeller manufacturing, the Motorless Flight Program, the Mod Center, Minneapolis Honeywell and the autopilot, Minnesota WWII Aces, and the beginning of the Civil Air Patrol. The book illuminates the creation of MN/DOT and the MAC.

This is a book that you can open and begin reading anywhere, put back on the shelf and pull for reference in the future. Illustrated with over 250 photos and numerous drawings, it will warm your heart and leave you in awe of what Minnesotan’s have accomplished.