The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Marc Jackson Snow Lake Writer Sky is the limit as Snow Lake business soars Gogal Air is a Snow Lake-based company that has come a long way in a short time. This family-oriented business began in 1983 with a single aircraft (a Cessna 185) taking off and touching down on the water outside their cottage on Wekusko Lake's Berry Bay. They are now at the point that they own and operate four fixed-wing aircraft, as well as three choppers. In addition to this, the company has an office and floatplane base on Snow Lake, a large hanger on the outskirts of the community, and are entertaining thoughts of constructing another hanger at the local airport. Besides the dramatic increase in the size of the business, the aircraft in the Gogal fleet have changed a bit over the ensuing years. Their squadron at one time included two Norsemans, along with the Cessna 185, but is now made up of a Cessna Grand Caravan, Piper Navajo Chieftain, deHavilland Beaver, Cessna 185, and three Robinson 44 Helicopters. 10,000 hours Family patriarch, Larry Gogal started flying commercially in his mid 30's and has over 10,000 hours in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Youngest son Brad started flying when he was 16 years old and after 20 years with a commercial license also has over 10,000 hours in both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Eldest son Mark started flying about 10 years ago and has logged close to 2,000 hours in the air. The men spend winter months contract flying for various firms around the north. In the summer they add trips in relation to another venture within the family business fold, the Burntwood Lake Lodge. The company's most recent acquisition is the 2006 Cessna Grand Caravan that chief pilot Brad Gogal says was purchased in Wichita, Kansas, where they are also built. Executive comfort "It is a 675 hp turbo prop engine, seats nine passengers in executive comfort [all seats recline and swivel], has three TV screens, a DVD player, and a flush toilet," said Gogal of the new addition. "It cruises at a speed of 190 mph, and a trip to Winnipeg takes one hour 50 minutes on average." Gogal also notes that the Grand Caravan is commonly used by both FedEx and Purolator couriers and has proved to be one of the most reliable aircraft in those massive fleets. Putting the two larger aircraft that the Gogals own up against one another, the Caravan has a lot of room in contrast to their Chieftain. See 'Pass...' on pg. 10 Continued from pg. 9 "Each passenger has more than enough legroom to relax, and all the luggage is placed in a cargo pod underneath the aircraft, so there is no luggage or gear in the cabin at all," Gogal explained. "It is all up to date with the latest avionics; weather radar, etc., extremely quiet, and all passengers have a view out the large windows." Gogal says that the Caravan will be used predominantly for trips from Snow Lake to Winnipeg as well as other runs that they had been using their Chieftain for over the past 15 years. "The Chieftain is still a great plane and will continue to serve its purpose in our fleet," said Gogal. "It has proved itself for many years." With the larger, more comfortable aircraft now part of their armada, Gogal advises that if there is enough interest, the company would like to offer scheduled flights to Winnipeg some day. They are currently offering a number of such flights. My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
