Multiple pilots were recently presented with awards for participating in the “Fly North Dakota Airports” Passport Program.

There are three award levels within the North Dakota passport program and the highest and most prestigious award level of Gold is achieved by flying to all 89 ND public airports, visiting the Fargo and Minot Air Museums and attending three Federal Aviation Administration safety seminars.

Achieving the gold level in 2026 were Shane McKenzie and Trevor Reiter of Minot, Neil Kadrmas of Washburn, Max Kahlhamer of Grand Forks, James Lindquist of Hettinger and Terry Liddick of Spearfish, South Dakota. The recipients received a leather flight jacket embroidered with the North Dakota Flying Legacy logo as they joined 114 others who have completed the passport program in previous years.

The awards presentation occurred on March 8 at the Dakota Territory Air Museum in Minot, in conjunction with the North Dakota Aviation Association’s Fly-ND Conference.

Presenting the awards were Kyle Wanner, executive director, and Mike McHugh, aviation education coordinator, with the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

The program is sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Commerce’s Tourism Division in partnership with the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, the Airport Association of North Dakota and the North Dakota Aviation Association.

The passport program began in North Dakota in 2011, and it rewards pilots who fly to North Dakota’s publicly owned airports, attend Federal Aviation Administration safety seminars and visit North Dakota’s aviation museums. The program promotes safety, continuing education, and encourages pilots to practice approaches and landings in many different environments. This program also offers an opportunity to promote and support North Dakota’s airports and their community businesses and tourism opportunities.