NEW GENERAL AVIATION TERMINAL AT WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT APPROVED

(Oshkosh, WI) – Supervisors of the Winnebago County Board approved three resolutions to move forward with the construction of a new General Aviation (GA) terminal facility at Wittman Regional Airport during Dec 17th’s County Board meeting.

The terminal project has been in the works for several years as operating costs of the existing terminal have risen. Two existing structures located on 20th Avenue will be replaced by a single, more efficient and right-sized facility to appropriately serve the airport, community, and flying public.

The current GA terminal facility, built in 1958, occupies 6,254 square feet and is operated by Basler Flight Service. The adjacent 33,000 square foot terminal was constructed in 1971 to serve commercial airline operations. Commercial airline service concluded in 2003.

Jim Schell, the Director of Wittman Regional Airport, expects to have plans finalized and submitted to the Bureau of Aeronautics and the City of Oshkosh in early 2020 with a bid opening in late April. Construction of the new GA terminal is planned to commence as early as May 2020 with completion expected approximately 13 months later. The new facility will be a single-story, 12,500 square foot building. In addition to serving general aviation air traffic, the new building will also provide space for Basler Flight Service, airport administrative offices, space for a rental car operation and meeting rooms available to the general public.

Total construction cost on the project is currently estimated at $6.8 million. Grant assistance from the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics will be received in the amount of $1.8 million with the remaining balance being funded by the county. The total investment includes demolition of both existing facilities, site work and paving for a new parking lot, constructing the new GA terminal and an improved access road from 20th Avenue.

NEW GENERAL AVIATION TERMINAL AT WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT APPROVED2019-12-26T12:24:47-06:00

WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT SECURES FEDERAL GRANT SUPPORT FOR TAXIWAY “A” RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

(Oshkosh, WI) – On Monday, September 23rd, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $7,521,894 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Discretionary grant funding to Wittman Regional Airport for a major taxiway reconstruction project. This grant funding is being administered through the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics (BOA) state block grant program, with matching funds of $525,000 provided by the BOA and $525,000 by Winnebago County, the airport’s sponsor.

The funding will be utilized to reconstruct major portions of Taxiway Alpha (A), the Airport’s primary north/south taxiway and the full parallel taxiway to Runway 18-36 on the field. The reconstruction and widening project is vital to the long- term viability of the airfield, as the existing pavement was primarily constructed in 1967. Also included in this project are: upgraded airfield lighting and signage, improved drainage systems, and taxiway widening all of which will provide enhanced safety for use of the taxiway. Taxiway A is heavily utilized year round, and is unique in that it operates as a third runway during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This adaptation allows Wittman Regional Airport to operate three non- intersecting runways, providing for arrival and departure rates that are critical to the safety and success of the event.

Glenn Grothman, U.S Representative for Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District stated, “I am elated that the Federal Aviation Administration will be giving a grant to the Wittman Regional Airport. This grant is not only vital for Winnebago County, but for people worldwide due to their annual EAA Airventure Fly-in. Not as well-known is the number of planes who fly here weekly, serving as a major hub for traffic for Oshkosh and surrounding areas. This investment will also be vital in training our next generation of pilots.”

Construction on the yearlong project is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020.

For further information on this project or other items related to Wittman Regional Airport, please contact Jim Schell, Airport Director at 920-236-4932.

WITTMAN REGIONAL AIRPORT SECURES FEDERAL GRANT SUPPORT FOR TAXIWAY “A” RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT2019-09-25T10:10:08-05:00

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2019: FACTS AND FIGURES FOR A RECORD YEAR

“What I’m most proud of this year is how our volunteers, staff, and the community joined to overcome the challenges resulting from the massive storms that hit the airport and campground just prior to opening day. It took a true team effort to meet the additional demands on time and resources to provide services to our members and visitors.”  -EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton

Attendance: Approximately 642,000 – 6.8 percent above of 2018’s record total.

“EAA members and aviation enthusiasts attended in large numbers, and stayed throughout the week. On July 22, we thanked Oshkosh residents for 50 years of support with free opening-day tickets and more than 8,700 of them attended – which equates to 13 percent of the city’s population. Throughout the rest of the week, our efforts to create unique attractions and aviation highlights across the grounds were incredibly successful in creating ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments.” -Jack Pelton

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 16,807 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 19-29, which is an average of approximately 127 takeoffs/landings per hour.

Total showplanes: 2,758 included: 1,057 homebuilt aircraft (including a record 592 homebuilt aircraft campsites), 939 vintage airplanes, 400 warbirds (6 percent increase), 188 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 105 seaplanes (40 percent increase), 62 aerobatic aircraft, and 7 in other categories.

Camping: More than 12,300 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for an estimated 40,000 visitors.

Volunteers: More than 5,500 contributing in excess of 250,000 hours.

Commercial exhibitors: 863.

Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: A total of 1,500 sessions attended by more than 75,000 people.

EAA aircraft flights: 3,051 people flew aboard EAA’s Ford Tri-Motors, while 3,173 people flew aboard EAA’s Bell 47 helicopters and 669 flew aboard EAA’s B-17 Aluminum Overcast.

Social Media, Internet and Mobile: More than 17.6 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture; EAA’s website had more than 2.1 million page views; EAA video clips during the event were viewed 4.5 million times; and EAA’s 2,740 photo uploads were viewed more than 13.3 million times. Additionally, EAA web streams were accessed more than 1.6 million times by viewers in more than 200 countries, who watched more than 315,000 hours of activities from the AirVenture grounds. The AirVenture app was downloaded and used by nearly 47,000 attendees. EAA Radio reached more than 104,000 listeners in 158 countries with 6,735 hours of audio, and more than 47,000 viewers of 405,000 minutes of streaming video.

Guests registered at International Visitors Tent: A record 2,772 visitors registered from 93 nations, also a record total. (Actual counts are higher since international visitor registration is voluntary.) Top countries represented by registered visitors: Canada (561 visitors), Australia (386), and South Africa (177).

The Gathering shines: The EAA Aviation Foundation’s annual event to support its aviation education programs attracted some 1,400 people and raised more than $2.8 million dollars that will be focused on EAA’s mission of growing participation in aviation.

Media: 851 media representatives on-site, from six continents.
Economic impact*: $170 million for the five counties in the Oshkosh region (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown). * – based on 2017 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh economic impact study

What’s ahead for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020 (July 20-26, 2020)?

“Planning is well underway for next year’s event, including discussions during AirVenture 2019 about possible features and attractions for 2020. In the next few months, we will be finalizing highlights in all areas to make the 68th annual EAA fly-in convention the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.” -Jack Pelton

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2019: FACTS AND FIGURES FOR A RECORD YEAR2019-08-09T16:00:11-05:00
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