Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Superior Leadership Conference hosted by my college fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. As an alumnus of the University of Minnesota Duluth, I was invited to share my leadership experiences with the current undergrads. Since the event was being held on campus, I decided to make the trip a bit more memorable by flying up to Duluth instead of taking the usual 3-hour drive. After all, the flight would only take about 55 minutes each way!

This time, I chose to fly into Duluth International Airport (KDLH), which is much closer to the campus than Sky Harbor, the smaller airport I’d used in the past. Duluth International also has the facilities to accommodate larger aircraft, though for this trip, I’d be piloting my trusty Piper Dakota.

The days leading up to the trip were a bit stressful. The weather forecast showed a low cloud ceiling, potential rain, and generally unfavorable flying conditions. But on the morning of the flight, everything changed. The skies cleared up, and it looked like perfect flying weather. I grabbed my gear and headed to the airport, excited to get in the air.

Once airborne, the flight was mostly smooth, though I did encounter some clouds along the way. As a licensed pilot, I have come to expect a few surprises in the air, but nothing too challenging that day. I arrived at Duluth International and parked at Monaco Air FBO, a fixed-base operator that provides services for pilots and their planes. To my pleasant surprise, there were no landing fees or fuel minimums, and since I was only there for the day, I did not have to worry about overnight parking charges either.

Finding an Uber at the airport, however, proved to be trickier than expected. Duluth International doesn’t see as many daily flights as larger airports, so rideshare availability is limited. After a bit of a wait, I finally secured a ride and made my way to campus.

The conference was a great experience—an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, network with other alumni, and share leadership tips with the next generation of Phi Kappa Psi members. After the event, the undergrads hosted a BBQ dinner at their house. The informal gathering was a fun way to end the day, filled with great food, laughter, and reminiscing about our college days.

As the evening wrapped up, I caught a ride back to the airport, where my Piper Dakota was waiting. The return flight to Crystal Airport was not as smooth as the flight up. The weather had shifted again—heavy cloud cover rolled in, and I had to carefully maneuver through the clouds. Luckily, my Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rating allows me to fly in low-visibility conditions, which made the experience more manageable. Even though the forecast didn’t predict these changes, I was prepared.

Despite the unexpected challenges, I landed safely back in the Twin Cities, marking the end of another great flying adventure. There’s nothing quite like combining your passions—leadership, flying, and reconnecting with old friends. The journey to Duluth reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to experience the skies in such a personal way, and how each flight brings its own set of memories.