Land O’ Lakes - TPC Charters Airline Event - Fall 2025
Minnesota’s iconic nickname “Land of 10,000 Lakes” is more than just a catchy slogan - it’s a reflection of the state’s glacial past, Indigenous heritage, and deep connection to nature.
During the last Ice Age, massive glaciers carved deep depressions into the land. As the ice receded, these basins filled with water, forming thousands of lakes.Today, Minnesota boasts 11,842 lakes over 10 acres in size - well beyond the 10,000 in its nickname.
The Great Lakes - Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario - are more than just massive bodies of freshwater. They’re geological marvels, cultural crossroads, and economic lifelines that have shaped North America for thousands of years. The lakes began forming around 14,000 years ago, at the end of the last Ice Age, retreating glaciers carved deep basins into the land, which filled with meltwater to become the lakes we know today.
Take to the skies and experience the breathtaking beauty of the Land of 10,000 Lakes along with the Great Lakes. As your aircraft glides above the endless blue, you'll witness nature's masterpiece: glassy lakes reflecting cotton-candy clouds, winding rivers carving through emerald woods, and quaint cabins nestled along peaceful shores. Whether it's the golden glow of sunrise or the fiery hues of sunset, every moment aloft offers a new perspective on this serene, water-laced wonderland. It's not just a flight - it's a journey into tranquility, adventure, and the heart of the wild.
This event starts at 00:00:01z on 1 September 2025 and runs through 24:00:00z 30 September 2025.
Airliners
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time flyer to Minnesota, flying through KMSP offers a blend of convenience, scenery, and Midwestern charm. Here are some standout features:
The Mississippi River
Downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul skylines
A patchwork of lakes—especially beautiful during fall foliage or snowy winters
Pilots will receive points for each airport they fly INTO (once per airport). So your starting airport (KMSP) does not earn you points and you will need to find your way back through during your journey.
The airliner airports will be using a hub-and-spoke system for this event. You will not be able to fly from spoke to spoke. You will have to fly back to the hub each time to get to the next spoke. Once you have completed the three spoke at each hub, you will want to move on to another hub to start working on the next set of spoke airports. All airliners will start at KMSP.
GA Aircraft
GA aircraft will be enjoying lakes as well–Great Lakes, in fact. The Great Lakes contain around 20% of the world’s surface fresh water, and the Great Lakes Basin area covers 296,000 square miles, larger than the state of California. Our pilots will be forging a path along all 5 lakes, from Wisconsin to New York, landing on 2 islands, and navigating the challenging Chicago airspace. All GA aircraft will start at KSUW.
