About

Born: 1950, Fairbanks, AK

Bruce spent the first sixteen years of his life traveling the world, where ever his father was needed by the United States Air Force. They eventually settled long enough in Rochester, MN for him to graduate from John Marshall High School.

Bruce enlisted in the United States Army and completed maintenance personnel training for the UH-1 (Huey) helicopter in the summer of 1969. He served with the 545th Maintenance Detachment "B" Troop 1st of the 9th Cavalry 1st cavalry Division South Vietnam from the summer of 1969 to the summer of 1970. He completed the remaining three years of his military service with the Headquarters Command 6th Artillery in El Paso, TX.

Shortly after completing his private pilot certificate in the 1972, Bruce enrolled in the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, OK. He completed the 18 month training program in early 1974.

Bruce started his civilian aviation career in Rochester, MN with Halvorsen Aero in the spring of 1974. He has been here in Austin since 1976 at which time he worked for Flying Dutchman, Inc. In the spring of 1979 the Austin business changed hands and became Aerodrome Aviation. Bruce stayed with this company until the fall of 1988, at which time Austin Aeroflight, Inc. was born.

Between the years of 1974 and 1985 Bruce earned his commercial pilot certificate with instrument and certified flight instructor ratings. He completed his multi-engine rating in the summer of 1985 and obtained a Cessna Citation II type rating in early 1996.

Bruce continues to be the driving force behind Austin Aeroflight, Inc. He has raised, along with this wife LuAnn, three children and enjoys spoiling the five grand-children that have been born to this date.

Born: 1952, Osage, IA

LuAnn was born and raised in Osage, IA. She graduated from Osage High School in 1970 at which time she went on to receive her nursing degree from NIACC in 1972. With her newly acquired nursing degree, she was hired by St. Mary's hospital in Rochester, MN. After only two short years of working there she moved to a job in respiratory therapy at the Mayo Clinic.

LuAnn's back-ground in aviation started by marrying Bruce Budahn in March of 1974. In October, 1988 she began working part time for Austin Aeroflight as the office manager. She continues working part-time for both the Mayo Clinic and Austin Aeroflight.

Born: Early 2011, place unknown. Rescued from the Mower County Humane Society

Tex was found roaming the streets of Austin, MN by the local pound master. Bruce and LuAnn met him at the humane society. He was named Tex because the rabies tag that was attached to his collar, when found, was in the shape of Texas and there was no other identification. He was placed locally once before but did not get along with cats and returned to the humane society.

Tex has settled in well in his new role of "airport security" and "official greeter."

Born: July, 2000, Mascalcia, Italy Died: July 27, 2010, Austin, MN

Although George may be from the German Shepard blood line, he is a true Italian. George was dumped in the backyard of Bruce's daughter, Crystal, as a stray, while she was stationed in Italy with the United States Navy. Crystal became attached to the little puppy and decided to bring him home with her in August, 2001.

When Crystal later moved to New Hampshire for school, she was unable to find an apartment that would allow such a large dog. George thus became part of Bruce and LuAnn's household, and is now a distinguished part of Austin Aeroflight and known by the entire airport community.