Submitted Photo From left to right are Kyle Wanner, North Dakota Aeronautics Commission director, Nathan Sayler, Jim O’Day, Connie Hanson and Rodger Haugen. Sayler, O’Day, Hanson, Haugen and Ray Brooks (not shown) received the gold-level “Fly North Dakota Airports” Passport Program award.

GRAND FORKS – Five North Dakota pilots were honored recently with the prestigious gold- level award in the “Fly North Dakota Airports” Passport Program.

Achieving the gold level in 2023 are Connie Hanson and Rodger Haugen, both of Devils Lake; Ray Brooks of Bismarck; Nathan Sayler of Valley City; and Jim O’Day of Fargo.

The program began in North Dakota in 2011 and promotes safety, continuing education and encourages pilots to practice approaches and landings in many different environments. It also offers an opportunity to promote and support North Dakota’s airports and their community businesses and tourism opportunities.

There are three award levels within the N.D. passport program and the highest level of gold is achieved by flying to all 89 N.D. public airports, visiting the Fargo and Minot air museums and attending three FAA safety seminars.

The five pilots received leather flight jackets embroidered with the N.D. Flying Legacy logo. They joined the 98 other pilots who have completed the passport program in previous years, making a grand total of 103 pilots who have achieved the gold award since the program’s inception.

The awards were presented March 3 at the University of North Dakota in conjunction with the N.D. Aviation Association, Fly-ND Conference. Presenting the awards were Kyle Wanner, executive director, and Mike McHugh, Aviation Education coordinator, with the N.D Aeronautics Commission. The program is sponsored by the N.D. Department of Commerce’s Tourism Division in partnership with the N.D. Aeronautics Commission, Airport Association of N.D. and N.D. Aviation Association.