Our Mission

The purpose of the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association is to:

Promote seaplane flying and safety programs pertaining to seaplane operation throughout the State of Minnesota,

Promote a forum for the purpose of approaching governmental agencies, to educate said agencies, the legislature and the public in the understanding of seaplane operation, and

Create safe and compatible seaplane base facilities in the State of Minnesota

News and Safety Information

MSPA welcomes our new President Joe Birkemeyer and Secretary Kyle Lewis

Pro Tips for Pilots - Safely Flying Seaplanes: The Fun and Challenges of Flying Seaplanes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

SPRING SAFETY REFRESHER

"Saturday Morning Coffee and WINGS - Flying Yourself To Canada By Land And Sea"

Saturday May 17, 2025 8:30AM CDT

AOPA Rusty Pilots Seminar

Greater Minnesota Aviation Gathering GMAG

PIG ROAST

Surfside Seaplane Base MN24

Lino Lakes, Minnesota

Sunday August 10, 2025

Admission is included with your membership!

The Pig Roast is an event that is fun for the whole family, bring your spouse, children, parents and neighbors! This event is a great way to introduce someone new to the world of seaplane flying.

Join us for camaraderie, food, live music and seaplanes!

Use the link below to purchase additional admissions in advance for non members and children

Will you be using the turf strip at MN24?

Click HERE for the procedures !

SEAPLANE SAFETY SEMINAR

Maddens Resort on Gull Lake (M16)

Brainerd, Minnesota

September 19-20, 2025

Take part in a weekend refresher of safety, skills, entertainment, great food and maybe even a round of golf.

Highlights Include:

  • Premium Lodging

  • Delicious Food

  • Poker Run Sponsored by Wipaire

  • Landing Accuracy Contest

  • Live Entertainment Nightly

  • Silent Auction

  • Drawings for Free Prizes

Planning to attend? Whether you will be staying at Madden’s or not, use the link below to purchase your registration for the event. A link is coming soon to purchase Friday dinner and Saturday banquet if not staying at the resort.

Colonel Frederick “CJ” Sturckow, USMC (Ret.)

2025 KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Our guest speaker for this evening commissioned into the United States Marine Corps in December 1984 and received his naval aviator wings in April 1987. He flew the F/A-18 Hornet and attended the US Navy Fighter Weapons School (AKA “Top Gun”). He was deployed to Sheik Isa Air Base in Bahrain and flew 41 combat missions, leading 30 airplane strikes into Iraq and Kuwait. He then attended USAF Test Pilot School and tested the Hornet at Naval Air Test Center Pax River. Selected as a NASA astronaut, he flew four space shuttle missions to the ISS. He then retired from NASA and has flown six spaceflights with Virgin Galactic.

2025 Seminar Agenda

Would you like to be a Vendor/Sponsor at the Seaplane Safety Seminar?

2024 MSPA Safety Seminar Winners

Lightspeed Zulu 3 Raffle Winner

Tim Iverson

Wipaire Garmin Watch Grand Prize Drawing

Zach Bruce

Weekend at Madden’s on Gull Lake Winner

Paul Breckner

Thank you to our Seminar Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsors

For information on how to become a sponsor please contact joesaircraftmods@gmail.com

Board of Directors

Joe Birkemeyer- President

Ken Partyka - Vice President

Kyle Lewis - Secretary

Bill Spaniol - Treasurer

 

Contact Us

Questions about the Minnesota Seaplane Pilots Association? Use this form to send a message