There are 89 airports in North Dakota, 81 being general aviation facilities, and eight with air carrier services. My friend and I are going to attempt to visit all of them. This means the U.S. dependence upon foreign oil may have a slight increase in the coming year(s), inversely related to a dip in my checkbook balance.

Starting May 1st of 2010, each airport in North Dakota will have a unique stamp which participating pilots of the North Dakota Flying Legacy passport program can collect upon visit to each airport, as well as the two air museums (Fargo and Minot). The idea came from Minnesota, which my friend, a native Minnesotan, refuses to let go of as a point of contention.

“They stole the idea from Minnesota,” he said. “It’s a Minnesota idea.”

“Fine. It’s an idea that originated in Minnesota. So is Jesse Ventura,” I said. “And oh, speaking of great Minnesota ideas, how’d bringing Favre to the Vikings work out?”

Nevertheless, we decided we’d give it a try and see how many stamps we could collect. It’ll be a fun way to get some flying time, and a concrete goal to work towards.

You can get your passports now; they were made available at the 2010 Upper Midwest Aviation Symposium. If you want one, contact the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. The rules of the program are simple enough:

• The program is open to pilots. Participants are not required to be ND residents. Participants must obtain an official Fly North Dakota airports Passport to participate.
• When visiting a qualifying airport, museum, or FAA safety seminar, participants must obtain a stamp in their passport. All stamps must be made in the appropriate location in the booklet. No stamps may be made on any other document and later placed in the booklet.
• Each participant may only receive one airport stamp per visit. Safety seminar stamps will be available at qualifying events.
• Upon completion, the passport must be submitted to the ND Aeronautics Commission for review. Please note which level: gold, Silver, or Bronze is being sought.
• Passports may be mailed or may be presented at the ND Aeronautics Commission office in Bismarck. If you wish to have your passport reviewed while you wait, please call ahead to schedule an appointment. Once a passport has been submitted and gift awarded, the passport will be returned to the participant so that he or she can continue to the next level.
• Awards and recognition will be made at the annual North Dakota upper Midwest Aviation Symposium.
• There is no deadline for completing the passport program as long as the program remains in operation.
• Visit the participating Fargo Air Museum – Fargo, and Dakota Territory Air Museum – Minot.

You can see what is needed for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels by looking at this chart, which is included in each passport.

I have my name in my passport, and have it safely stashed in my flight bag. I’m ready for Chip’s arrival in Bismarck, whenever that may be. For this reason, I’m hoping that 2010 isn’t the Year of the Hangar Queen again. If that’s the case, perhaps they should start a “I Wanted to Fly North Dakota But Got To Know the FBO Maintenance Crew Instead” Passport Program. I wouldn’t have enough closets for the prizes.