Platteville Airport Completes $80,000 Project with Grand Opening on June 15

The public is invited to attend the updated Terminal and Pilot Planning area Grand Opening on Wednesday, June 15th at 4 p.m.  VIP tours will begin at 3 p.m., followed by the Lunch Bus at 4:30 p.m.  Be sure to stop out and see these exciting airport improvements!

The renovations began in early March and include new windows, upgraded restrooms, new ceilings and flooring.  “This will put a much brighter face on Platteville for the many travelers who use the airport as a gateway to our City,” said Karen Kurt, City Manager.

The $80,000 Terminal project was financed from Airport operating funds and completed by Rock Church Construction, Inc. from Livingston, WI.  Funds for the Pilot Planning area also came from operations, with sweat equity from A&A Aviation and assistance from Dean Simmons and Jack Momchilovich.  “We are thrilled that the Airport Commission was able to work this project into their budget,” stated Barb Daus, City of Platteville Common Council Member and Council Representative to the Airport Commission.  The airport operating revenue derives primarily from rent received for cropland and the sale of aviation fuel, in addition to revenue from the rental of hangars.

The airport is also working on other Federally funded projects with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Aeronautics Bureau.  “The Airport Master Plan is currently being updated and arrangements are being made for the resurfacing of one of the runways, which is scheduled to be done next year,” commented Bill Kloster, President of the Airport Commission.  The Commission intends to continue to enhance the airport infrastructure to encourage greater use by business travelers, attracting more business traffic to the region.  “We get a fair amount of business traffic now to include the three corporate aircraft that operate out of the airport,” mentioned Alaine Olthafer-Lange Co-Owner of A&A Aviation and Chief Flight Instructor. “There is also a lot of training that takes place, as well as recreational flying.  We average about 600 to 700 operations each month depending on the weather,” she added.  Additionally, there is an Air Charter now servicing the Platteville Airport, provided by Walter Aviation in partnership with A&A Aviation.  If you are interested in a quote for this service, please contact A&A Aviation at (608) 988-6864.

The Platteville Municipal Airport is located 4 miles south of Platteville on Highway 80/81. It encompasses over 400 acres with over 380 in rented cropland.  The airport currently hosts 32 planes used for general, experimental, as well as corporate aviation.  It has two runways; the primary, which is 4000’ in length by 75’ wide, and a secondary that is 3600’ in length by 75’ wide.  A proposed project would extend the primary runway to 5,000 feet, which is the insurance industry standard for light corporate jets.  Though non-contiguous to the city, the airport has been incorporated into the City of Platteville.

The facility is owned by the City of Platteville, which uses a Commission of 6 volunteer citizens and one member of the Common Council to administer the airport.  The Commission has complete and exclusive control over the airport and all of its property, with the power to make rules and regulations to govern the airport.  The Commission’s priorities are to maintain the aviation infrastructure, runways, taxiways and other support structures first, then provide for expansions that improve the airport in a manner that will promote economic development in Platteville and the region.

A&A Aviation provides operations and management, flight instruction, and aircraft maintenance for the airport.  The airport currently has no City employees. Through the City, the Commission provides snow removal and grass cutting equipment, a utility truck, general use hangar, and terminal.  The Airport Operating Budget for 2016 is $441,650.