Dan MacDonald has been active in aviation since graduating from Colorado State University in 1977. He earned his Private Pilot rating in 1978, and purchased his first airplane after completing a Masters Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1983. He learned the skills of owner assisted aircraft maintenance from a long time aircraft maintenance master, the late Wade Lowry, A&P/IA.
Dan's aviation involvement broadened in the 1990’s through co-ownership of a very active flight school named Alpha Aviation Inc. with his friend Don McDonald. With up to ten aircraft, each flying 100 hours per month, they performed a 100 hour inspection every three days and an engine overhaul every two months. During this time Dan acquired additional flight ratings including instrument, commercial, multi-engine, flight instructor, and multi-engine flight instructor.
Dan has owned, operated, and maintained a wide variety of aircraft, including his current 1960 Beechcraft Debonair and 1980 Beechcraft Skipper. Dan owns a small flight school at South St. Paul Fleming Field airport (KSGS) in Minnesota.