Aviation: Minnesota Department of Transportation

MnDOT Office of Aeronautics receives FAA Aviation Safety Award

On August 18, 2005 the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Accident Investigation, presented awards to the Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office, Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics, and Minnesota State Patrol.

Raymond Rought (MnDOT) & Frank Del Gandio (FAA)

The recognition highlighted the partnerships of the three organizations that have led to significant reductions of aviation accidents within the Minneapolis Flight Standards District.

Mark Denansky (State Patrol)) & Frank Del Gandio (FAA)

Minnesota Department of Transportation's Office of Aeronautics has long been a partner in providing Safety Seminars for pilots, mechanics and special emphasis groups who rely on aviation education as a source to improve safety through education. MnDOT Aeronautics has been a pinnacle to the FAA MSP FSDO's ability to reach out to the public to promote safety.

MnDOT Aeronautics sponsorship of pilot and mechanic seminars, seaplane,
commercial, sport aviation conferences, technical bulletins, and website information has played key factors in promoting aviation safety.

“The MSP FSDO could not be as effective in aviation accident investigation and reduction of aviation accidents without the support and partnership that has been received from these two key state agencies” said Kathleen Thompson, FSDO Manager. She continued, “These partnerships have allowed the MSP FSDO to effectively manage and reduce the number of aircraft accidents and fatalities significantly over the past three years.”

FAA Safety Award Presentation Photo
Wayne Petersen, Rick Braunig, Raymond Rought,
Frank Del Gandio & Larry Myking

The award was accepted by Ray Rought, Director of Aeronautics, with Larry Myking, manager of Aviation Operations, and Aviation representatives Rick Braunig and Wayne Petersen. Braunig had just returned from a tour of duty in Iraq less than a week prior to the awards ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by Minnesota Senator Ann Rest, State Representative Mike Beard, MnDOT Division Director Randy Halvorson, representatives from Cirrus Aircraft, Frank Del Gandio - Manager, Office of Accident Investigation, FAA Washignton D.C., and David E. Hanley - Manager, Great Lakes Flight Standards Service Division, Chicago, IL, and more than 100 FSDO employees and family members.

Aeronautics & Aviation