In the early hours of a frigid Thursday, a 1946 Cessna 140 lifted off from Flying Cloud Airport, bound for Las Vegas. Its pilot, Howard Legan of Las Vegas, was the winner of Wings of the North’s 2024 airplane sweepstakes, held in September.
Legan, who is preparing for his final flight test to earn a private pilot license, was accompanied by instructor pilot Gus Hottell on the cross-country journey.
Wings of the North, a nonprofit aviation education organization based in Eden Prairie, holds the annual sweepstakes to raise funds for its museum and community projects. Winners have the option of taking a general aviation airplane or a cash prize.
The 2025 sweepstakes is set to launch in April, though the nonprofit is still seeking a single-engine airplane for the giveaway. Those interested in selling or donating an aircraft can contact Wings of the North at museum@wotn.org or 952-746-6100.
