Great Places to Fly

Brainerd Municipal Airport’s 

“Wing’s Airport Café’ and their Carmel Apple French Toast with Walnuts”.

     We have so many great places to fly to here in Minnesota and a little beyond. I’m lucky to have flown to many of these little spots, these hidden treasures with runways. Discovered by either stumbling upon them on my own, or passed on to me by one of my navigationally impaired aviator friends.

     Although this trip can be made any day of the week, I recommend you try a Sunday morning visit to the Brainerd Municipal Airport’s “Wing’s Airport Café”.  In an Archer, I'd say it would take an hour to reach from the Twin Cities.

NOTAM:  It’s important to note that on a Sunday, right after Church, the Café is usually swamped from 09:45 – Noon.

Why you ask?

     Because Sunday is the only day you can order their famous Carmel Apple French Toast with Walnuts smothered in butter and powdered sugar. I usually add an egg on the side topped with coffee. This is some good eating, and guaranteed to mess with your 1^st Class Airman’s Medical Certificate.

     The Wing’s Airport Café is a small place with one Cook and two waitresses. They serve breakfast and lunch and everything I’ve tried is great, even their burgers.

     If you can’t break away for their Sunday special, then any other day of the week I’ll order the Citation V, it’s kind of like the Denny’s Grand Slam but better because you can look outside and see airplanes takeoff and land.

     The Citation V: 3 eggs made to order, toast, hash browns and your choice of bacon, ham or sausage. Note: the bacon is the good thick kind and you can swap out the toast for regular pancakes.

     The place is run by Good People who serve good coffee, and the prices are dirt cheap. It’s kids friendly and they’ll let you talk about airplanes until they close at 2:00pm. Just leave a good tip.

     What really makes it is the trip itself. Regardless of what direction you come from, it’s a beautiful flight. Lots of trees, lots of lakes, and when you get out of the plane and your feet hit the tarmac, you can’t help but take a big whiff of those Northern Pines.

     To find out more about the Wings Café, go to www.brainerdairport.com/wings-cafe.html

     Enjoy the flight and the food, and Keep Flying Minnesota!

Michael Wiskus

Lucas Oil/Geico Air Show Pilot

West Metro Aviation, Buffalo, MN.