Jurgen Fohlmiester: Physicist & Adventure Pilot Jurgen Fohlmeister is a Thunderbird customer and an intriguing individual. A research physicist at the University of Minnesota, he flew the Piper Arrow, N-1641H, over the North Pole and through Europe. Currently being inducted into the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame, he can now add adventure pilot to his resume.

So what inspires someone to fly over the North Pole? Unlike Erhardt, Yeager and the many unheralded adventure pilots of the past, you can still discuss that question with him. Like his predecessors, the initial response to Jurgen's idea was met by skepticism. But also like his predecessors, Jurgen was not swayed by critics of his dream. Each aspect of the flight fell under the driven eye of Jurgen. Listening to Jurgen talk about his dream, you couldn't help but be caught up with it. With Thunderbird climbing on board, we soon discovered that we had a long way to go to catch up with Jurgen in his path to "the pole".

Jurgen's flight to "the pole" touched everyone at Thunderbird Aviation. In addition to flight information and planning, he worked with Thunderbird's maintenance shop to coordinate the retrofit of the airplane. Extended fuel tanks and navigation systems that would work over the North Pole were installed. This, along with all the other modifications, had to be FAA certified and deemed airworthy.

The big day started out like every other day. It was breezy (out of the northwest!), sunny and warm. Jurgen said thank you to all of us and took a moment to be with his gathered friends and finally his Father. After his taxi to the active runway, 36, N-1641H barreled down the runway. As she took off we all waved and enjoyed the tip of the wing from Jurgen. You had to wonder just what that experience would be like flying over the North Pole. But you knew that feeling was reserved for the adventure pilot.

Years later and looking back on this flight you have to ask yourself why did we do all of this? There so much more pressing issues to address at the time. But there was something special about this project that made sense to follow it through. Was it the busting out of a routine, escapism, living vicariously through the success of someone else? Honestly, it was "yes" to all of the above.

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