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The sky near the airport on July 22. (Photo courtesy of NBC 15)  | A 'port in the storm
Wicked weather in late July made the sky over the Dane County Regional Airport especially menacing. Fortunately, the airport had no damage or flooding as a result of the storms. However, the Dane County Regional Airport often plays a critical role when other airports have weather-related problems. According to Airport Director Bradley S. Livingston, "The Dane County Regional Airport is an integral part of the national aviation transportation system. In June, for example, over 30 aircraft were diverted here due to weather conditions at other nearby midwest airports." Once diverted here, aircraft will park to wait out the bad weather at the destination airport. |
 "The official temperature at the airport..."
Ever wonder why your favorite meteorologist always gives the temperature at the airport as the official temperature? Aviation is such a weather-dependent industry, equipment to monitor temperatures and other weather data is typically found at airports. In fact, a National Weather Service Office was once located at the Dane County Regional Airport. That office has since moved to Sullivan, Wisconsin, but weather data is still gathered here and sent electronically to the NWS and our Air Traffic Control Tower. Because of the precision of the equipment versus the thermometer on your front porch, meteorologists consider the temperature at the airport to be the most accurate measurement, and thus the official temperature. |
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Games on
 In what was considered the world's largest gathering of transplant recipients, The Dane County Regional Airport welcomed participants to the 2010 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games, July 30-August 4, in Madison. About 1500 athletes, all of whom have received life saving organ transplants of every type, competed in this Olympic-style event. The Dane County Regional Airport congratulates all of the participants. We wish them continued good health!  We were also honored to welcome participants in the Centurion Bike Race the weekend of August 7 and 8. Sadly, Mother Nature wasn't as welcoming, with thunderstorms on Sunday forcing organizers to cut the 100 mile race in half. Centurion Wisconsin spokeswoman Krista Flanagan told Madison.com, "While the athletes were disappointed, they know that you can't control the weather. We look forward to 2011 and having people enjoy the full Centurion experience." So do we. |
 We've laid out the new welcome mats at the Dane County Regional Airport, only these you'll find by looking up as you head to the airport on International Lane. Besides indicating that you're headed in the right direction to the airport, the new banners also reflect our commitment to making your travel experience convenient and relaxing...and we call that a good sign. |
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Construction on Taxiway A. |
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Bravo, Alpha! Grants allow for reconstruction work on Taxiway Alpha
The summer months aren't just for highway construction. At the Dane County Regional Airport a $6.4 million reconstruction of Taxiway A is underway. This is the taxiway the airlines use to get from the terminal building to the main runway, and is long overdue for an overhaul. This project will increase safety by reconstructing the 20-year-old pavement to current design safety standards. The Federal Aviation Administration is providing $6,080,000 for the reconstruction, while the state of Wisconsin and Dane County are each contributing $160,000 toward the project. The work is expected to be completed this fall. |
B-17G Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey" |
Gonna take a sentimental journey
On Monday, August 2, the World War II vintage bomber, the B-17G Flying Fortress, "Sentimental Journey", made a stop here. The B-17 is perhaps best known for its daylight bombing raids over Germany during World War II, and lived up to its name for its ability to take significant hits with minimal damage. "Sentimental Journey" never saw action, but it is a flying museum and monument to those who built the Flying Fortresses, those who flew them, and the crews who didn't return from their missions. It is owned and operated by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.
The C-5 Galaxy |
While this picture doesn't do its size justice, the enormous U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy also made a stop here August 4 to pick up members of the Air National Guard and cargo bound for Alaska. The C-5 is one of the largest aircraft in the world and is the largest airlifter in the Air Force inventory. It is 247.1 feet long, 65.1 feet high, and has a wingspan of 222.9 feet. |
 If you're reading this, thank Sharyn Wisniewski
On Monday, August 2, the Dane County Regional Airport bade farewell to our longtime Marketing and Communications Manager, Sharyn Wisniewski. Talk about leaving her mark! Almost everything you see--from the airport's logo, to the print and television ads, to our web site, and this newsletter--were made possible through Sharyn's creativity and intelligence. We wish Sharyn and her husband all of the best, and offer our thanks for her years of dedication to her position with the Dane County Regional Airport. |
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Nonstop to 12 cities - Connections to the world
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TRAVEL DEALS
Some of the Madison travel deals seen on airfarewatchdog.com this past week on the Dane County Regional Airport website are:
Denver, $178 RT
Kansas City, $178 RT
Fort Lauderdale, $218 RT
San Francisco, $238 RT
If your travel dates are flexible, you'll have an easier time finding seats at these fares. Inquire soon, as fares may change. The fares are on various airlines.
Check each airline's
website regularly for special offers.
The "Mile High City"isn't just for winter recreation. Check out Denver in the summertime with daily, non-stop flights from Madison on Frontier and United Express Airlines. |
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Booked for flight
Elizabeth Gilbert's book, "Eat, Pray, Love" is now a movie starring Julia Roberts. If either...or both...inspire you to take a solo journey abroad, we recommend the web site "Wandelust and lipstick" as a good place to start. The site was started by Beth Whitman, herself a seasoned solo-traveler, and is filled with everything from information about tour packages, to the protocol and safety concerns unique to women travelers. Great blogs, great pictures, great travel tips, all add up to one pretty terrific web site. If there's a travel book, magazine, web site, or travel tip you'd like to share, let us know. E-mail us at info@msnairport.com.
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Reminder:
Larger aircraft to NY, D.C coming next month Starting September 7, Delta Airlines will replace the 50 seat aircraft it currently flies from the Dane County Regional Airport to Washington's Reagan National Airport with a 76 seat CR9 aircraft. A 70 seat CR7 will replace the 50 seat aircraft that currently flies from Madison to New York's La Guardia Airport. Both aircraft offer first class seating. |
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