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EXHIBIT 5.1
June 1, 2000
Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd.
1022 Airport Parkway
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
Gentlemen:
We are counsel to Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., an Iowa corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with its filing of a registration statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, relating to the proposed sale by selling shareholders of 6,700,000
shares of the Company's common stock (the "Shares").
We have examined the Registration Statement and those documents,
corporate records, and other instruments we deemed relevant as a basis for
the opinion herein expressed.
Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that when the Registration
Statement shall have been declared effective by order of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and the Shares have been sold as contemplated by the
Registration Statement, the Shares will be legally and validly issued,
fully-paid and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to
the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the prospectus included in such Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ BRIGGS AND MORGAN,
Professional Association
BRIGGS AND MORGAN,
Professional Association
