ELOISE OGDEN/MDN Warren Pietsch, left, was inducted in the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame Tuesday, March 10, during the N.D. Aeronautics Fly-ND Conference held March 8-10 in Minot. At the right is Kyle Wanner, executive director of the N.D. Aeronautics Commission and chairman of the N.D. Aviation Hall of Fame Committee.

Warren Pietsch’s lifelong aviation interests reach into many categories — pilot, mentor, aircraft restorer, Dakota Territory Air Museum co-founder, aviation ambassador and historian.

On Tuesday, March 10, Pietsch was honored by many fellow pilots and others involved in aviation with his induction in the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame. The honoring was held during the N.D. Aeronautics Fly-North Dakota Conference banquet held at the Clarion Hotel in Minot.

Pietsch, in response to his induction, told the group attending the final night event that he has experienced a great deal.

“But it’s not over and I’m not done learning. I appreciate everybody that’s helped me learn things — more than you can imagine,” he said.

He said he’s honored with the recognition and with the many friendships that mean a great deal to him. He thanked his family for their support.

The N.D. Aviation Association founded the Aviation Hall of Fame in 1997 to honor outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation in North Dakota. Pietsch is the 51st Hall of Fame recipient.

Kyle Wanner, executive director of the N.D. Aeronautics Commission and N.D. Aviation Hall of Fame Committee chairman, presented an award plaque to Pietsch.

Eric Trueblood, Grand Forks and originally from Minot, co-owner of AirCorps Aviation based in Bemidji, Minnesota, and Tim McPherson, Page, owner of Tall Towers Aviation, spearheaded the award nomination. Many from throughout aviation wrote letters of support, reflecting on Pietsch’s contributions and support of aviation in North Dakota and beyond.

It was announced during the event Tuesday night that Gov. Kelly Armstrong has proclaimed March as Aviation Month in North Dakota.

A number of awards were announced and presented at the Fly North Dakota’s Hall of Fame banquet. Awardees were:

– Commercial Service Airport of the Year: Minot International Airport

— General Aviation Airport of the Year: New Town Municipal Airport

— ND Professional Aircraft Mechanics Association Mechanic of the Year: Brent Meester, Kindred

— FAA Maintenance Diamond Awards: Bismarck Aero Center, Mandan Aero Center, UND Aerospace and Fargo Jet Center

— FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Awards: Marc Taylor , Mandan; Howard Reeve, Minot; and Gale Hansen, Valley City

— FAA Charles Taylor Award: Morgan Stroh, Grand Forks

— FAA District Certified Flight Instructor of the Year Award: Thomas Sando, Williston

— ND Professional Aircraft Mechanics Association Scholarships: Kyra Vogt, Chokio, Minnesota; Chayton Wocken, Grand Forks; and Leon Poitra III, Fargo

— Jim Lawler Memorial Scholarship: Greyson Riegel, Bismarck

— Cindy Schreiber-Beck ND Aviation Hall of Fame Scholarship: Brinley Rhoades, Williston