Barbara Mack

Barbara Mack was born in Minneota, Minnesota. In 1964 she experienced her first airplane ride at the St. Cloud airport in a Cessna 172. She earned her Private license a year later and proceeded to acquire additional licenses including Instrument, Commercial, Instructor, Seaplane SES, Seaplane MES, ATP, Balloon, Glider, Helicopter among others. After earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, she started a career as an Educator, teaching in the Robbinsdale School System. 

Eventually she immersed herself into aviation. Belonging to the International Aerobatics Club (IAC) she often dresses as “Granny,” performing crazy airshow acts in an American Champion Citabria. She has flown almost every modern type of aircraft, including corporate jets. Her career included her flying professionally for A&P Aviation located at the Anoka County Airport; Copper Sales Company of Holman Field, St. Paul; and Modern Tool Company of Crystal Airport. 

Mack represents the epitome of a life devoted to aviation. Since she began her career, she has literally flown hundreds of different type, model, and series of aircraft. What makes her exceptional is her years of dedicated instructing. Her reputation for professionalism, understanding and emphasis on safety are noted by numbers of her former students. One student remarked, “I am confident I learned something significant ever single flight.” She and her husband Ed’s hangar door at Anoka County – Blaine Airport was always “open” to visit with and advise students and aviation persons. She continues to work as an FAA Flight Examiner.  

Mack is a founding member of the Minnesota Pilots Association. She was awarded the high honor of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the FAA in 2017 for fifty-plus years of safe flying. Mack also earned recognition from the Metropolitan Airports Commission’s for her efforts to promote the Anoka County Airport. She worked with the FAA General Aviation District Office, assisting with safety seminars and training sessions. She was the FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year in 2010. She has been a guest speaker many times at the Great Minnesota Aviation Gathering, providing valuable insight to about the checkride process to student pilots and flight instructors. 

Barbara Mack represents Minnesota’s outstanding flight instruction professionals. She has never had any other hobby but flying, this in turn has had an immense influence on Minnesota Aviation.