Published in Midwest Flyer – June/July 2018 issue
WISCONSIN DELLS, WIS. – The Wisconsin Aviation Conference was held May 6-8, 2018 at Wilderness Resort – Glacier Canyon Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. From “speed dating” representatives of the FAA Chicago Airports District Office, to networking and weighing in on key issues affecting airports today, this year’s conference covered the bases!
Topics included the pilot shortage crisis and aviation education impacts, speed dating between airports and the FAA Chicago Airports District Office, a panel discussion of current aviation issues, changes in airport operations, an update on FAA Basic Med rules, airport intelligence and law enforcement, grant assurances and non-aeronautical development at airports, collaborating to protect airport users and snowy owls, Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Aeronautics aviation education, basic airport law and trends in airport law, opportunities to increase activity at airports, minimizing construction impacts, and keeping up with unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) legislation.
Congratulations to Mary Strait of the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics for being named “Person of the Year.” Strait was recognized for her outstanding support of capital improvement programs at Wisconsin airports. Joe Brauer of Rhinelander/Oneida County Airport received the “Distinguished Service Award” in recognition of an aviation career spanning 50 years. Kim Kaarto of the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics received the “Engineer of the Year Award” in recognition of extraordinary support in coordinating the engineering services at nine Wisconsin airports. Ron Burdick of Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport received the “Lifetime Service Award” for long and tenured service to the Janesville, Wisconsin community and southern Wisconsin region.
The Wisconsin Airport Management Association presented $1,000 academic scholarships to Aaron Wahlgren of Kenosha, Wis., who is majoring in Aeronautics – Pilot Training at Gateway Technical College; Trey Mattson of Bay City, Wis., who is majoring in Aviation Management and Operations at Western Michigan University; and Peyton May of Pleasant Prairie, Wis., who is majoring in Avionics/Aircraft Maintenance at Western Michigan University. WAMA’s $1,000 “Professional Development Scholarship” went to Todd Norrell of Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Eau Claire, Wis.
