Jeanne MacPherson recently earned her Master CFI accreditation

The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Jeanne MacPherson, Montana Aeronautics Division’s Safety and Education Bureau chief and a resident of Helena, MT.   posted 6/21/06 More

Scholarships and Awards presented by the MPA at the Montana Aviation Conference in Helena

Junior Pilot Scholarship—Leanna Taylor, Kalispell Flight Training Scholarship—Carry McGill, Darby Hangar of the Year—Southwest Hangar Spark Plug Award—Mike Korn, MT Dept of FWP Pilot of the Year—Byron Bayers President’s Award—Chuck Manning

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Vic Wokal has gone West
Victor (Vic) Wokal, 92, of Glasgow passed away Jan. 15 at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital of natural causes.
       
Vic was born on Oct. 3, 1913 on the family homestead 12 miles north of Dickinson, North Dakota. Vic began his flying career in 1941 and in 1944 he, along with his brother, Joe, established Wokal Flying Service. They became a Cessna Dealer in 1947. In 1962, Vic and his brother purchased a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) in Glasgow, Montana.  Later, Vic became sole owner of the business. As an active member in the Glasgow community, he was on the board of directors for the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce, a finance committee member of St. Raphael’s Catholic Church, the treasurer of Valley Hangar of the Montana Pilots’ Association and after retirement, was appointed to the Valley County Airport Commission. In addition to owning the FBO, Vic served as Airport Manager, Frontier Airlines station manager and as a United States Customs Officer. Vic retired and sold his business in 1987.         

Vic’s love for flying led to a career including instructing hundreds of students, crop dusting, air ambulance service and assisting people in need during cold, hard winters by delivering mail, food and providing emergency transportation.  One of his proudest accomplishments was the establishment of STAT Air Ambulance Service through a partnership with Kyle Hopstad and the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital.  Glasgow is the smallest community in the United States with a twin engine, pressurized air ambulance service.         

Vic was very honored by the many awards he received. The awards ranged from the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce’s "Boss of the Year" to the Montana Pilots’ Association Senior Pilot Award in 1990 and a Special Citation from the national Aircraft Owner’s and Pilot’s Association (AOPA).  Two of the most significant honors during his life included naming of Glasgow airport "Wokal Field" and the designation of the "Wokal fix."          

Vic was a man of spirit. It wasn’t unusual to see him plowing snow or fueling an airplane in a suit and tie. One of his biggest thrills was on his 90th birthday, when Joe Etchart of Glasgow, flew him in an open cockpit airplane, and performed nine loops – one for every decade of his life.  Vic is now an aviator in God’s heavenly squadron.