Midwest Flyer Magazine

New WisconsinAeronautical ChartNow Available!The 2012-2013 edition of theWisconsin Aeronautical Chartis now available. The chart,published biannually, alternating withthe Wisconsin Airport Directory, isavailable at your local FBO or pilotsupply shop. Single copies of theWAC scale chart can be requestedby calling the Bureau of Aeronauticsat (608) 266-3351. Requests formultiple copies should be placed withWisDOT Document Sales at (608)246-3265.The EAA Seaplane Base on Lake Winnebago in Winnebago County near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, isthe featured photo on the cover of the Wisconsin Aeronautical Chart.They Do Understand!by Dan McDowellDid you know that the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) does understand the value of General Aviationairports? They clearly demonstrate that fact in anewly released study entitled “General Aviation Airports: ANational Asset.” The 34-page report was actually released inlate May 2012.The FAA committed 18 months to gathering current andaccurate information about GA airports across the country.The report, spearheaded by Christa Fornarotto, AssociateAdministrator for Airports, stated in its opening summarystatement, “There are over 19,000 airports, heliports, seaplanebases, and other landing facilities in the United States and itsterritories. Of these, 3,330 are included in the FAA’s NationalPlan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS), are open to thepublic, and are eligible for federal funding via the AirportImprovement Program (AIP).”The report discusses the many uses and values GA bringsto the industry and the nation as a whole, but it focuses on“the federal network of general aviation airports, heliports, andseaplane bases and divides them into four new categories basedon existing activity levels and related criteria: national, regional,local, and basic.”One of the most important blocks of information is theFAA’s new categories for GA airports. These new categoriesare designed to help policy makers at all levels support GAairports. According to the FAA, “The new general aviationcategories will provide a baseline from which to measure changesin operations and needs. State and local governments will beencouraged to use the new categories to help guide future systemand airport planning decisions. Those general aviation airportsthat meet the statutory definitions of commercial service andreliever will continue to be so classified within the four newcategories. The FAA will periodically review and adjust thegeneral aviation airports included in the NPIAS based onchanging activity levels.”The summary statement goes on to say, “Most people arefamiliar with one or more of the 378 primary airports thatsupport scheduled commercial air service, such as John F. KennedyInternational, Chicago O'Hare International, or Los AngelesInternational, where U.S. and foreign airlines operate. We alsorely on the other 2,952 landing facilities (2,903 airports, 10heliports, and 39 seaplane bases) to support aero medical flights,aerial fire-fighting, law enforcement, disaster relief, and toprovide access to remote communities.”Download a copy of this report by going online:http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/ga_study/media/2012AssetReport.pdfThis document can be a valuable tool for you to useto share with your community leaders and to inform andeducate the citizens of your community about the value GAbrings to everyone, not just aviators. You’ve heard this before,but perhaps many local citizens have not; your airport is thefront door to your community.Keeping your airport well maintained, clean, and availableto the flying public is an open invitation for increasedtourism and recreational spending within your community.Your airport is a valuable asset that also attracts services,businesses, and jobs to be a part of your community. It bringsvalue and benefits that every citizen can enjoy, by being yourcommunity’s front door.#$%$&'(&)*')+,)-"./0."""+123)&'"456)-"+#%#718)""">>