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| Waukesha County Airport Newsletter | January 2014 |
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The original members of the Waukesha Airport Operations Commission gathered recently to celebrate the retirement of Dick Richards, the last of the original members to step down from the commission. Pictured from left to right are: Dave Broadfoot, Tom Schober, Dick Richards, Ray Perry and Kerry Krueger.
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Betzler and Madrigrano Join Airport Operations Commission
The November meeting of the Airport Operations Commission marked the beginning of a new era, as Steve Betzler and Aldo Madrigrano participated in their first meeting as new commissioners, recently appointed by the County Executive.
The new commissioners replace Dick Richards and Dave Falstad. Richards is the former owner of the Country Springs Hotel & Water Park and was one of the original commissioners when it was created. County Supervisor Dave Falstad is stepping down due to his appointment by Governor Walker to the state Labor and Industry Review Commission. We sincerely thank Dick Richards and Dave Falstad for their years of service.
Betzler is a well-known pilot and hangar owner, and a leader in numerous aviation enthusiast groups, including the Commemorative Air Force - WI wing, EAA Chapter 11, the Wings over Waukesha air show, AOPA and Midwest Antique Classics. He is currently building a Tiger Moth that he hopes to have airworthy in 2014. Betzler is Vice President of Sales at Empire Level Mfg. Corp.
Madrigrano is the CEO and owner of Beer Capitol Distributing Co., Inc. He sits on the boards of directors of Visit Milwaukee, Wisconsin State Fair Park, the MMAC, The Legend at Brandybrook and the National Beer Wholesalers Association.
The next meeting of the Airport Operations Commission is February 12 at 8:00 a.m. in the terminal conference room. All members of the airport community are welcome to attend the meetings. You may also contact the commissioners by email.
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Airport Operations Update: Introducing Wily
by Matt Grenoble, Operations Mgr.
Did you notice a coyote watching you around the airport over the past few months? If you saw him, you probably noticed that he didn't appear to be moving, but he was pretty effective in scaring away geese.
Well, in case you haven't guessed, that's because he's Wily, our new coyote decoy, and he was on duty throughout the fall migration season to help reduce the threat of bird strikes for you and your aircraft. Since the "Miracle on the Hudson," the FAA has been focusing on different techniques for animal control at airports, and the decoy, which is moved around every few days, is one of the deterrents that seems to be working. Wily is off duty until the geese start showing up again in the spring, but we hope he will continue to be effective in scaring off those pesky varmints for years to come. As a reminder, please report all wildlife strikes to the FAA online and contact me with any wildlife related questions or concerns.
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Plane Safe's Matt Polak Ends the Year in Style
There's a wonderful father-son story in a recent issue of EAA News, featuring Plane Safe mechanic Matt Polak. He earned his pilot's license in December and surprised his dad with a ride on Christmas Eve, getting him back in the cockpit after a 23-year hiatus. Dad is now excited about becoming current again and buying a plane with his son. We encourage you to read the heartwarming story at EAA News. Well done, Matt! |
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Upcoming Events
Even if the weather is too cold to fly, you can still "get your fix" of aviation at the following upcoming events:
EAA SportAir Workshop - If you have ever wanted to learn how to build your own airplane, check out the 2-day course from EAA on January 25 - 26.
Chili Ski Fly In: Brodhead Airport is hosting this fun event February 1 from 10 - 1:30. Fly in or drive in for homemade chili, a campfire and some skiplane flying.
EAA Skiplane Fly In: Not to be outdone, EAA is hosting a skiplane fly-in on February 8, and they're serving not just chili, but cake too!
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Greetings!
Happy New Year! We hope 2014 is starting out on a positive note for you.
In this newsletter, we bring you news of several local pilots who have been honored for their aviation accomplishments and commitment, as well as the appointment of two new members of the Airport Operations Commission.
Be sure to read the story below about the bill in the Wisconsin legislature that could make your aircraft maintenance more affordable, while bringing more aircraft maintenance companies to Wisconsin from other states to buoy our economy.
We also introduce you to our latest strategy to keep birds and animals away from the runways in Matt Grenoble's new newsletter column dedicated to updating you on airport operations.
We hope you are taking advantage of the lower fuel prices that Atlantic Aviation implemented in the past month, and flying as much as you can, despite the cold winter weather.
Stay warm and fly safe,
Kurt
Kurt Stanich, Airport Manager
Waukesha County Airport
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Assembly Bill Would Reduce Cost of Maintenance and Parts
Over the past few months, airport management and our airport-based businesses with maintenance operations - Plane Safe
 of all aircraft and aircraft parts from the sales and use tax.
The main goal of this bill is to make Wisconsin more competitive with the other 36 states, including all of our neighboring states except Iowa, that currently offer the exemption and have an advantage in attracting aviation maintenance facilities. These facilities provide well-paying jobs that benefit our economy.
However, the sales and use tax exemption has an added benefit that directly affects the airport community. It would reduce your total costs for maintenance and aircraft parts, making it more cost-effective for you to keep your aircraft flying.
The bill is co-sponsored by many members of congress, which gives it a good chance at passage. It is currently in the Ways & Means Committee awaiting further action. We will keep you informed of its progress. |
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Stein's Aircraft Services Markets Flight Training Services with Fun Decals on its New Cessna 150
The team at Stein's Aircraft Services is leveraging its new Cessna 150 as a fun conversation starter to generate interest in its flight training services. The two-seat Cessna has a "secret agent code" and features tongue-in-cheek decals identifying the flaps, engine, rudder, nav lights and several other parts, as well as reminding students which way is up. The unusual appearance of the plane is a great way to spark conversations with potential students at pancake breakfasts and other events. The company is currently offering discovery flights in the new Cessna 150 for $70 and in their Diamond DA-40 for $99.
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Waukesha Aviators Honored with Awards, Entry in Aviation Hall of Fame
Several of our local pilots have been honored recently, and we invite you to join us in congratulating each of them:
- Pilot of the Year: Janis Sierra, Flight For Life Waukesha-based Lead Pilot, was recently recognized as the 2013 EMS Pilots Association Pilot of the Year. The honor was bestowed on Sierra for exhibiting technical expertise and being a key member of their air medical transport team, mentoring peers, advocating for quality in all aspects of the organizations services and being a champion for safety in all flight operations. Sierra has been a helicopter pilot for 38 years and was the first female EMS helicopter pilot in the U.S. A female pilot trailblazer, she began her career in the Army and joined Flight For Life in 1987.
- Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame: The late, great Bill Adams was recently inducted into the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame. Born in Watertown, Adams learned to fly in the 1940s, earning his private and commercial certificates. He began work as a crop-duster, and in the early '50s, he bought and converted a stock Stearman to 450-hp and started working as an airshow pilot. Throughout the '60s, he flew in his own Bill Adams Air Shows and became a nationally known stunt flier, competing in national and international competitions. He died in 1966 in an airplane crash. Bill was also inducted into the International Council of Air Show's Hall of Fame in 2012.
- Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award: Warren Baumgart and Clement Dahlke were recently honored by the FAA with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for professionalism and skill in maintaining safe operations for more than 50 years. Each pilot received a plaque from the U.S. Department of Transportation and a "Blue Ribbon Packet," which is a bound logbook detailing their long careers. Dahlke was also awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award in 2011. Baumgart was a WWII pilot and both men are members of the Civil Air Patrol. Both men also worked as flight instructors for the CAP.
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In Memoriam: Bob Groh, Bob O'Connor and Jim Quinn
The Waukesha County Airport community suffered the loss of Delafield resident Bob Groh, president and owner of Geo-Synthetics, LLC, when his Piper Saratoga went down in Missouri on a business trip in November. His company, a national, full-service distributor, fabricator and installer of geosynthetics and erosion control materials, is located near the airport on Pewaukee Road.
He was accompanied on the trip by Jim Quinn, a flight instructor from Watertown, who also perished in the crash and was well-known to many in our aviation community. Jim lived in Wauwatosa.
Bob O'Connor also passed way recently at the age of 90. An avid pilot who owned a hangar at Waukesha County Airport for many years where he built and owned various aircraft, Bob was also an airline pilot for North Central Airlines, Republic Airlines and Northwest Airlines. After retiring from the airlines, he flew corporate jets for Jack Safro and Roundy's Corporation. He was also a founding member of EAA.
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Local Student Earns Aviation Scholarship
The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame recently awarded its 2013 Carl Guell Memorial scholarship to Alex Adduci from Eagle, Wisconsin. He is an aeronautical engineering major at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and he is currently doing an internship at Gulfstream in Savannah, Georgia.
Before attending college, Alex learned to fly, soloing at 16 and earning his private pilot certificate and instrument rating at 17. Alex added a commercial pilot certificate at 18, about the time he was finishing high school. Wisconsin residents who are continuing students in an aviation/aerospace program at any 2- or 4-year school in the country are eligible for the scholarship, which has awarded $20,000 to 28 aviation students from Wisconsin since its inception in 2002. |
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The Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field Newsletter is intended to inform airport tenants, visitors and other interested individuals about the latest events, news and services available to them at the airport. If you would like to see a topic featured in the next newsletter, please contact Kurt Stanich, Airport Manager, at kstanich@waukeshacounty.gov or call 262-521-5250. |
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