Submitted Photo Naomi Haye, Minot, second from left, and Chuck Refling, Bottineau, fourth from left, were among local area pilots and other pilots from North Dakota honored for taking part in the “Fly North Dakota Airports” Passport Program. Also shown, from the left, are Matthew Brugger, Jamestown, David Hochhalter, Valley City, Joshua Simmers, Carson, and John Vold, Fargo.

Several Minot and area pilots were among 19 pilots in the state honored for participating in the “Fly North Dakota Airports” Passport Program.

The passport program presents awards to pilots for flying to airports in the state, attending FAA Safety Seminars and visiting the two North Dakota air museums.

The awards presentation was conducted March 1 at the Dakota Territory Air Museum, Minot, in conjunction with the Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium. Presenting the awards were Kyle Wanner, executive director, and Mike McHugh, Aviation Education coordinator of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. The program is sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce’s Tourism Division in partnership with the Aeronautics Commission, the Airport Association of North Dakota, and the North Dakota Pilots Association.

David Operchal, Minot, was one of two pilots presented with a bronze award for visiting at least 30 airports and attending one safety seminar. He received a polo shirt embroidered with the N.D. Flying Legacy logo. The bronze award recipients were: Clinton Cook

Patrick Haye, Minot, was among five pilots presented with the silver award for visiting at least 60 airports, one air museum and attending two safety seminars. He received a flight bag embroidered with the N.D. Flying Legacy logo.

Naomi Haye and Kyle Schmaltz, both Minot, and Chuck Refling, Bottineau, received the most prestigious gold award level achieved by 12 pilots during 2019. They pilots received a leather flight jacket embroidered with the N.D. Flying Legacy logo in addition to the bronze and silver awards. This prestigious accomplishment is achieved when visiting all 89 public use airports in North Dakota, visiting both air museums and attending at least 3 FAA Safety seminars. These pilots join the 58 others who have completed the passport program in previous years, making a total of 70 total pilots who have achieved the gold award level to date.