NRRA NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 1, 2004

Welcome to the 60th issue of NRRA News - an almost weekly, sometimes monthly, occasionally quarterly, summary of events at New Richmond Regional Airport. This newsletter is sent to approximately 245 individuals associated with NRRA.

WEB SITE ADDRESS . . . Check out the airport website at: http://www.nrairport.com . . . . 

AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS
Construction started July 28th on two separate hangar areas on the north end of New Richmond Regional Airport. A corporate/FBO area accommodating 7 large hangars along the parallel taxiway to runway 14-32 is planned as well as an additional taxilane in the north hangar area accommodating 16 private hangars. A-1 Excavating out of Bloomer, Wisconsin was awarded the bid for the $380,000 project in late spring. The entire project will be finished before Labor Day. Drawings of the project are available for review inside the Griggs Aviation building in the south hangar area at NRRA.
Hangar demand at NRRA remains high. All 16 of the private hangars are spoken for. Actually, 15 out of the 16 were taken within the first two hours they were available. A few people even camped over-night outside my office in order to receive the best lots. 

FENCE PROJECT
As you may recall, the fine people at Homeland Security awarded New Richmond Regional Airport a grant of $300,000 earlier this year for the construction of a security fence around the airport. The low bidder on the project was Crowley Company, Inc. out of Minneapolis. Work is scheduled to begin Wednesday and end 45 days later. Automated security gates will soon be in place near the entrances to both hangar areas. The gates will be automatically closed from 10 pm until approximately 6 am each day. During the times the gates are closed, an access code must be entered to gain access to the airport. Airport users will be assigned an access code in early September. 

A REALLY BIG CHECK
The Wisconsin Secretary of Transportation, Frank Busalacchi, will be stopping by NRRA on Monday, August 2nd to present local officials one of those oversize checks representing the Wisconsin DoT's investment in NRRA. The presentation will occur at 2 pm. Over $750,000 worth of improvements is currently underway at NRRA. 

AIRSHOW 2004
An airshow and fly-in brunch was held at NRRA on Saturday, June 26th. The free airshow was received extremely well by the public. The airshow featured the following performers: Pete Tallarita in his Extra 200, Bob Post in his Pitts, John Mohr in his stock Stearman, and Al Mondus in a BAC Strikemaster jet. Thanks to everyone who sent me pictures of the show. And thanks to everyone who helped make the show a success. A very special thank you to Dave Erickson of Erickson Oil, Inc/Freedom Valu Center for donating food for the event. I highly encourage everyone to stop by the local Freedom Valu Center and top-off your vehicle the next time you are passing through downtown New Richmond. 
You can view a few pictures of the airshow on the airport website at: http://www.nrairport.com/airshow.htm . Planning is already underway for next year's show. Watch for meetings on the airshow this fall if you are interested in helping.

NEW MAINTENANCE BUILDING
NRRA purchased hangar 5-7 for use as a maintenance building. The official move-in date was June 1st. Previously, airport equipment was stored outside and in the 12' x 8' electrical vault near the parking lot. Now, all airport vehicles and tools are stored under one roof. 

NEW TRUCKS
Griggs Aviation took delivery of two new fuel trucks on Thursday. One truck will hold Jet-A and has over-wing and single point fueling capability. The other truck will hold 100LL and features dual hose reels. The trucks will be placed into service early next week. Self-serve fuel will still be available 24 hrs/day (current prices: 100LL $2.34, Jet-A $2.09). Full service fuel out of the trucks will be extra.

FAMOUS GUYS STOP BY
NASCAR driver Bill Elliott piloted his own Cessna CJ2 to NRRA in late June. Bill participated in the Masters Late Model event at Cedar Lake Speedway. NASCAR driver Tony Stewart also stopped by on July 12th in his Citation Bravo to watch the World of Outlaws sprint car race at Cedar Lake. Tony is one of the owners of the World of Outlaw #20 car driven by Danny Lasoski. 

NEW SIGN
It took a while, but it was worth it. A new sign is now in place near the south entrance to NRRA. The old sign was damaged during a severe thunderstorm last summer and was removed. The new sign features the airport logo supported by two stone pillars and a flower garden below. An irrigation system was installed for the flowers in early June. Lighting for the sign will be coming soon.

GOOSE PATROL
In mid-June, a local Cessna 172 experienced a goose strike in the left wing during the take-off roll resulting in several thousand dollars in damage. Therefore, NRRA is taking an extra aggressive stance against the local migratory waterfowl this summer. Pyrotechnics, propane cannons, a sheepdog, and the occasional Ford F-150 will be used to control our migratory waterfowl. Waterfowl hunting within the boundaries of NRRA is under consideration for this fall, too.

SAFETY & SECURITY
Two new security lights were installed recently at NRRA. The first light shines towards the Griggs Aviation building. The second light is located on the north side of the new maintenance building. Additional security lights are planned for the north hangar area. In the safety category, a defibrillator is now stationed at the Airport. A surplus Life Pak 5 manual defibrillator from New Richmond Area Ambulance and Rescue Service is now kept in my office in hangar 6-1. The device can be used by trained personnel to monitor heart rhythms and administer shocks to individuals in cardiac arrest. Seven members of New Richmond Area Ambulance and Rescue are either student or licensed pilots. All seven are trained in the use of the defibrillator. 

AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING
The next Airport Commission meeting is planned for this Thursday, August 5th at 6:30 PM in hangar 6-1. As always, a cookout will follow the meeting.

HANGAR SPACE FOR RENT
If you are looking to rent hangar space here at NRRA, a listing of available spaces is posted at: http://www.nrairport.com/rent.htm 


Thanks!

Mike Demulling
NRRA Manager
mike@nrairport.com