Aviation: Minnesota Department of Transportation

Aviation Operations

Section Overview:

The activities of the Aviation Operations Section focus on licensing and safety. Persons who perform commercial operations using or servicing aircraft are required to obtain a commercial operator's license from the state. These operations include, but are not limited to: flight, aerial applicators, aerial photography or surveys, aircraft maintenance or servicing, and sales, rental or leasing of aircraft. The fee for a commercial operator's license is $30 per year. Persons only licensed for the sale of aircraft may obtain a commercial license for $10. Person's conducting aerial application of chemicals must also have a license from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. The State of Minnesota does not require common carriers and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part 135 certificate holders to obtain a commercial operator's license. Flying clubs with more than five members are required to register with the state annually but there is no fee or license associated with this registration. For more information please go to the commercial operations page.

All public and private use airports, heliports and seaplane bases in Minnesota are required to obtain a license from MnDOT. The State of Minnesota also licenses personal use airports, heliports and seaplane bases upon request. A personal use airport is an airport intended only for the use of the owner or operator. Personal use airports, heliports and seaplane bases within five miles of a public use airport, heliport or seaplane base must be licensed. As part of the licensing process the applicant is required to obtain a letter of determination from the FAA. In order to get a letter of determination a Form 7480 must be submitted to the FAA Regional Office in Des Plaines, Illinois. The Minnesota Rules outline the other requirements for obtaining an airport license. For more information on airports or heliports see our airport licensing page or contact Rick Braunig at 651-234-7230 or rick.braunig@state.mn.us. For more information on seaplane bases contact Rick Braunig at 651-234-7230 or rick.braunig@state.mn.us.

MnDOT supports aviation safety through several programs. The Operations Section is responsible for administering the Minnesota Weather Access System (MnWAS), a weather information dissemination program. Another part of our weather program is the television broadcast of weather information on Twin Cities Public Television, TPT 17 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. This weather is also being broadcast through local cable companies and satellite networks in the Rochester area and throughout much of Minnesota. MnDOT's Office of Aeronautics provides MnWAS computer terminals at over 135 airport sites throughout the state that pilots can use to get the latest weather information, access safety information on both the FAA's and our web sites, perform flight planning functions, and file their flight plans. Most of the functions that are available on the computers at the airport can also be accessed through the Internet via our MnWAS Home User Program. For more information contact Rachel Obermoller at 651-234-7207 or rachel.obermoller@state.mn.us.

MnDOT also supports several outreach programs on aviation safety. The Operations Section works with the FAA and other aviation organizations to provide safety programs for pilots and mechanics. These safety programs include a Seaplane Conference in May, and Pilot Safety Seminars at various locations throughout the state and throughout the year. Detailed conference information is available on the Events and Promotions page. If you know of a safety program that should be listed on this page, please contact Rick Braunig at 651-234-7230 or rick.braunig@state.mn.us.

The Operations Section maintains a database of information on airports in Minnesota and this information is published in an Airport Directory and Travel Guide annually. Aircraft owners are provided with an Airport Directory each year. The most current Airport Directory information can be found on this website. To order a Minnesota Airport Directory and Travel Guide click here. For more information contact Rachel Obermoller at 651-234-7207 or rachel.obermoller@state.mn.us.

We also publish an Aeronautical Chart covering the entire state every other year. All pilots in the state are provided an Aeronautical Chart. Unfortunately the chart is not updated between publications so it is not suitable for use in navigation. To order a Minnesota Aeronautical Chart click here. For more information contact Jeff Flynn at 651-234-7235 or jeff.flynn@state.mn.us.

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Aeronautics & Aviation

Aviation Operations