by Hal Davis
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine June/July 2022 Digital Issue
2019 Sostice Fly-In, Cornucopia Airport (23W), Bell, Wisconsin.
Photo by Rich Wellner, Courtesy of the Recreational Aviation Foundation
After many years of hard work by a group of dedicated volunteers, Cornucopia Airport (23W) is now officially open to the public! The airport is located near the shores of Lake Superior along the western side of the Bayfield Peninsula, making it the most northerly public-use airport in the state. Owned by the Town of Bell, the airport has a single turf runway which measures 1,920’ by 80’. The threshold for runway 05 has been displaced 635’.
The airport features a small pilot shelter outfitted with courtesy bikes for the 1.5-mile ride into town. There you can enjoy great restaurants, shops, and lodging. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a convenient 4 miles away while scenic Bayfield is about a 30-minute drive. Visit www.visitcornucopia.com to find out more about the area.
June 17-19, 2022 the airport will be hosting its 3rd annual Solstice Fly-in. Attendees are invited to camp under their wing, socialize, and take part in the many outdoor activities the area has to offer. Advanced registration for the event is required. To register and to find out more about the airport, visit the airport’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/CornyAirport.
As a public use airport, Cornucopia Airport is now part of the Fly Wisconsin Airport Passport Program, so plan your trip to get your stamp today!
Keep the Lights On
At night and during periods of poor visibility, airport lights of any type can be invaluable aids to pilots. That’s why Wisconsin Administrative Code requires airports that have received state funding for airport improvements to operate the following minimum airfield lighting during periods of darkness, when such lighting exists:
1. Low-intensity lighting on one runway,
2. Airport beacon,
3. Windsock lighting, and
4. Obstruction lighting.
Many airports have pilot-controlled lighting capabilities; however, this is not an acceptable substitute for compliance. To aid aircraft that might not be equipped with a radio or may be experiencing radio failure, at least one runway needs to be set to low-intensity at night, even if it is pilot-controlled. For questions or concerns about this requirement, please contact me at howard.davis@dot.wi.gov or 608-267-2142.
2021 Airport Rates & Charges Report
The Airport Rates & Charges Report for calendar year 2021 is now available. Each year, BOA surveys Wisconsin airports for information relating to aeronautical services such as fuel prices, hangar rental rates and ground lease rates. The survey results serve as a comparative tool to help airports gauge financial practices and needs. Pilots, consultants and other users of Wisconsin airports can also benefit from the data collected. View the report and the data on our web site at: https://wisconsindot.gov/av-pubs.
New Wisconsin Aeronautical Chart
The 2022-2023 Wisconsin Aeronautical Chart is now available as well! As before, the chart includes an expanded airport information and points of interest section to make it easier to determine what types of amenities and attractions can be found at an airport. Aircraft owners registered in Wisconsin should receive a copy of the 2022-2023 Wisconsin Aeronautical Chart in the mail. Charts are also available at your local airport, digitally on our website, or contact our office at 608-266-3351 to request one in the mail.
Meet BOA Staff At AirVenture
Come meet BOA staff in person at EAA AirVenture 2022. Our booth will be in Exhibit Hall A, just across the street from the air traffic control tower. We will also have a tent located near the base of the air traffic control tower. At BOA, there’s nothing we enjoy more than talking about Wisconsin airports, so bring all your questions and comments. While you are there, you’ll be able to pick up complementary Wisconsin aeronautical charts and roadmaps, information about Wisconsin seaplane bases, Wisconsin airport points of interest, children’s aviation coloring books and much more!
If you won’t be attending AirVenture this year, you can still meet us in person. To set up a meeting with any of our staff members call 608-266-3351.
