Wisconsin Aviation Conference 2010

The 55th annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference concluded today in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The conference attracted hundreds of aviation professionals – airport managers, staff, and commissioners, consulting engineers, suppliers, contractors, FBOs, pilots, and government officials. The multiple day event included 12 educational sessions, three association meetings, and a banquet presentation by Mark Van Tine, President and CEO of Jeppesen.

Recognizing the past and future of Wisconsin aviation has been an important part of each year’s conference. Scholarships have increased in importance with three awarded this year totaling $3000. Five individuals were recognized for their dedication, work ethic, and commitment in various aspects of the industry.

Distinguished Service Award

Clint Torp

Awarded since 2000, the award recognizes individuals for their long-term efforts in the industry or a successful special project. Clinton Torp, Assistant Airport Manager, La Crosse Municipal Airport, La Crosse, Wisconsin, is this year’s recipient. Clint was recognized for his work on the WAMA website and online conference registration. Clint is a 2005 graduate of the University of North Dakota and is working on his MBA at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

Blue Light Award

Fred Beseler

The Blue Light Award recognizes people in the media industry for their reporting efforts regarding the state’s aviation industry. Fred Beseler has been an aviation writer since 1981, when he wrote a two-page feature on EAA AirVenture for the La Crosse Tribune. For the past three years, Fred has been a regular contributor to Forward in Flight, the magazine of the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF). Fred joins two other WAHF writers, Gary Dikkers and Rose Dorcey, who have earned the Blue Light Award.

Engineer of the Year

Dave Jensen, WAMA (left) Mark Polier

The conference has been recognizing the work of engineers since 1983. This year’s recipient, Mark Porlier of Clark Dietz, Incorporated, has worked on projects at more than 20 Wisconsin airports over the years. Mark’s recent work at the Lakeland/Noble Lee Memorial Airport earned him this year’s award. Redesigning the airport’s non-airside lighting systems, taking advantage of LED lighting, instant-on motion controls, and other technology advancements will reduce the airport’s electrical consumption by 83%. The Lakeland project recently earned an American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) award.

Aviation Person of the Year

Rose Dorcey with John Reed, WAMA

This is the longest running of the awards presented as part of the Wisconsin Aviation Conference. Beginning in 1969, Wisconsin aviation notables including nine inductees to the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame have earned this recognition. Rose Dorcey is the 2010 Wisconsin Aviation Person of the Year. A nomination for Rose read, in part, “Wisconsin has been a leader in aviation and the centennial celebration told the story. That story would not have been heard if not for Rose Dorcey’s commitment, enthusiasm, and leadership.”

Lifetime Service Award
C. Barry Bateman has been the airport director at Milwaukee’s General Mitchell International Airport since September 1982. He has overseen numerous major airport improvement projects and hundreds of small ones. One project that grew from an early vision - the development of an aviation museum, has become a model for other airports. The Mitchell Gallery of Flight is located near Concourse C in the airport’s terminal. Barry has provided numerous internships and has partnered with the Wisconsin DOT’s Bureau of Aeronautics and its Aviation Careers Education program. Bateman also serves as manager of Milwaukee’s Lawrence J.Timmerman Airport.

The 2011 Wisconsin Aviation Conference – the 56th annual conference - will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin’s, Sierra Hotel. The conference begins May 2 and concludes May 4, 2011. Additional information will be available through the Wisconsin Airport Management Association.

What’s in a name?

Last week the Waukesha Freeman editorial staff suggested renaming the Waukesha County Airport as a way to honor Waukesha native Les Paul. The August 26 article states: “Crites Field could be renamed Les Paul International Airport. Rock stars might fly in here just to land their private jets at a really cool airport.” Folks involved in Wisconsin aviation already consider Waukesha airport as “really cool” and that its name – Crites Field – is most appropriate. The idea does lead one to ponder Wisconsin’s airports and their names.

Today there are 133 public-use airports in Wisconsin – 97 are publically owned and 36 are privately owned. There are another 437 privately owned facilities that are restricted use. You can search the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Master Record database.

Names of the publically owned facilities typically reflect their owners or location. Wisconsin has 35 airports with municipal in their name, 16 that have county in their name, and 19 with a general location name. Regional is in the name of 10 Wisconsin airports. The 17 remaining airports have names of historic interest.

Alexander Field South Wood County Airport is better known as Wisconsin Rapids. John Alexander donated land for the airport and is remembered for the gift. Lawrence J. Timmerman was Chairman of the Milwaukee County Board for 33 years. Upon his death in 1959, the Curtiss-Wright Airport was renamed in his honor. The Brown County Airport is named for Austin Straubel, the first military aviator from Green Bay to lose his life in World War II. Middleton Municipal is also known as Morey Field after Howard Morey, the airport’s founder. Richard I. Bong Field in Superior is named for “Ace of Aces” Dick Bong. Hillsboro’s airport is named after Joshua Sanford, a Native American who flew in Chennault’s 14^th Air Force. General Mitchell International Airport is named after Milwaukeean General Billy Mitchell. The Lakeland-area airport is also known as Noble F Lee Memorial. Lee was a pilot, flight instructor, and longtime airport manager.

It is the private airports where we find some interesting, creative names. Wisconsin is known for its beer so we shouldn’t be surprised to find Beer Airport in St. Croix County. Too many beers and it is said you have gone on a Bender – an airport in Marathon County.

Aircraft related names abound – Funk Aerodrome (Kewaunee), J-3 Cub Field (Jefferson), Plows and Props (Walworth), Rag Wing (Langlade), Wag-Aero (Walworth), Weedhopper Meadow (Walworth), and finally, Broken Prop (Waushara), hopefully not named for some pilot’s misfortune.

Wisconsin’s natural resources are reflected in a number of airport names – Bark River (Waukesha), Battle Creek (Waukesha), Eagle Ridge (Dunn), Blair Lake (Iron), Bogus Creek (Pepin), Black Otter (Outagamie), and Lake Ell (Portage).

While Able doesn’t have an airport in Wisconsin, Cain’s Field is (Oconto). Don’t land poorly at Heckler’s Strip (Dane) – you’ll probably hear about it. Larson Airport (Winnebago) is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Finally, my favorites – Bucky’s (Waushara), Dinnerbell (Fond du Lac), Kitty Wompus (Sawyer), Mount Fuji (Walworth), Polish Paradise (Adams), Uff-da (Dane), Will-be-gon (Washburn), Whoopy Hollow (Lafayette), and With-Wings-and-a-Halo (Winnebago).

 There is much in an airport’s name – history, pride, creativity, and some humor. The Waukesha County Airport is named after two brothers – Dean and Dale Crites, who made an enormous impact on Wisconsin aviation. Changing the name to salute Les Paul, or anyone else, would be a mistake.