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Construction Update
On the 27th and 28th of September, repair crews from Waukesha County Highway Operations repaired three sections of pavement on Runway 10/28 that were damaged by the extreme heat this summer. We're now preparing for a busy few years of airfield construction and repair, including the following upcoming projects:
- Taxiway Delta and Fox-Trot reconstruction - Spring 2013: Timing for this project is still tentative, as it was originally supposed to be completed late summer 2012, but was delayed due to lack of federal funding.
- Taxiway Charlie Reconstruction - Fall 2013: The FAA denied a separation waiver for the distance between Runway 18/36 and the Taxiway, necessitating this project.
- Runway 10/28 Safety Area Improvement and Rehabilitation - Summer 2014 and 2015: An FAA mandated project intended to improve the safety of the runway environment, this project will be done in phases to minimize downtime. The airport will remain open for this entire project. For short periods of time, Runway 10/28 will have a displaced threshold leaving approximately 5,000 feet available for operations.
For each of these projects, we will work very closely with airport users to minimize the inconvenience to the greatest extent possible, and we will provide you with regular updates so you can plan accordingly. Thank you for your patience as we improve your airport.
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Keppeler in World Airshow News
If you read the September/October issue of World Airshow News, you may have noticed a great story titled, "Paul Keppeler & His T-33: A Dogfight in a Straight Jacket."
Author Brad Haskin flew with Paul at EAA Airventure 2012 and detailed his perspective of a jet formation and "extended trail" flight with an L-39 flown by Jeff Kaney. "The next several minutes degenerated into a blur of rolls, climbs, turns, and dives..." Congratulations on a great article, Paul!
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Airport Commission
The Airport Operations Commission meeting schedule is as follows:
November 14
December 12
January 9
All meetings are held at 8:00 a.m. in the Waukesha County Airport terminal conference room.
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Greetings!
Wow, it sure was a busy summer! The airport has been alive with activity both in the air and on the ground over the past several months. I would like to personally thank all the volunteers and sponsors of every event for their participation and enthusiasm.
This newsletter is full of information about the events, as well as some construction updates and a nice award for one of our pilots.
Happy reading and even happier flying. See you around the patch.
Fly Safe,
Kurt Stanich
Interim Airport Manager
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Master Pilot Awarded 
Our congratulations go to Larry Gelderman who was awarded the FAA's Master Pilot Award on September 27th for 50 years of safe flying. Larry's first flight was in J-3 Cub at Chicagoland Airport (Palwaukee) and he soloed in a Champ in 1950. After his Army service, Larry earned his Private Pilot Certificate in 1970 and used the GI Bill to earn Commercial, Instrument, and Instructor ratings. He worked as a primary and instrument flight instructor at Gran-Aire where each of his 6 children worked part-time in the 70's and 80's. Three of them continued on to earn their licenses, including his youngest son, Tim, who partnered with Larry in the restoration of their award-winning Aeronca Champ 3605E, based at Waukesha County Airport. The aircraft won the Outstanding Custom Classic award in the 0-80 hp division at 2008 AirVenture Oshkosh. Congratulations Larry! We're proud to have you at our airport.
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Warren O'Brien Inducted in Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame
On Saturday October 24th, local aviation and aerial photographer pioneer Warren O'Brien was inducted to the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. Born in 1898 and raised in Waukesha, he was present when John Kaminski made the first airplane landing in the city in 1912. By the 1920s, the young photographer and movie maker was promoting his business from the air. He learned to balance himself in the front cockpit of a Jenny and lean over the side with his camera. Eventually he learned to walk out on the wing.
O'Brien acquired a pilot certificate, organized the Waukesha Aviation Club, and was elected as its first president. The first goal of the new club, under O'Brien's leadership, was to see a modern airport in Waukesha and they gained support for the effort by sponsoring air shows and attracting crowds of thousands, which eventually led to construction of Waukesha County Airport. O'Brien collected, preserved, and published the history of aviation in Waukesha and southeast Wisconsin, creating an invaluable public archive of photos, movie shorts and documents that enriches our knowledge of Wisconsin's aviation history.
O'Brien joined six previous inductees from of the Waukesha Aviation Club. Current Club president Dennis Mohr accepted the award on behalf of the O'Brien family.
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Wings over Waukesha Air Show 2012 in Review
In late August, thousands of people once again descended upon the airport grounds for Wings over Waukesha Air Show 2012. This year marked a celebration of 100 years of aviation in Waukesha County.
The weekend event was kicked off with Movie Night where 100 volunteers and airport users came out to watch "Memphis Belle" on the ramp under the stars. Stein Aircraft Services graciously hosted the VIP/Sponsor event, which featured great weather and terrific music.
Saturday brought public and airplanes together again for a full air show and ground display, capped off with a balloon glow and music from "Memphis Connection" and "4 on the Floor." On Sunday, the show was canceled by heavy rain showers, but that didn't dampen the spirits of the almost 1,000 hardy people who came out to view the aircraft, or our hearty volunteers who remained on duty until the last guest left.
We offer a big thank you to the volunteers, staff and sponsors of Wings Over Waukesha for another fantastic event! Be sure to mark your calendar now and save the dates for Wings over Waukesha Air Show 2013 which will be held on August 24th and 25th next year!
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Waukesha Business Leaders "Mix, Mingle and Fly"
 The Waukesha County Airport hosted another "Networking After 5" event with the Waukesha County Business Alliance on Tuesday, August 21, and provided 120 local business leaders and politicians with a great aviation experience. Our charter aircraft companies, flight schools and other airport-based businesses participated to educate attendees about their services, and guests also got a preview of the Wings over Waukesha Air Show with ground tours of the B-17.
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