NRRA NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF JUNE 11TH, 2007
New Richmond Regional Airport (NRRA) News #73 – a sometimes monthly, occasionally quarterly summary of events at New Richmond Regional Airport.
Lots of exciting things are still happening at NRRA -
FIVE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SEVEN FEET
The first phase of a two-part airport improvement project at NRRA is nearly complete. The new runway extension is open and available for use. As of Monday, June 11th, runway 14-32 at NRRA is now 5,507’ long. Work on the 1,504’ extension began last fall with a considerable amount of dirt work outside the runway safety areas. Work was halted for the winter in early December, and then resumed in mid-April. On May 2nd, a temporary displaced threshold was installed on runway 14 allowing work to occur inside of the runway safety area. The landing distance for runway 14 was temporarily reduced to only 3,600’ during the project.
Pavement on the new extension was installed May 30th through June 1st. Runway stripes were painted Monday morning and the final runway lighting work was completed. Seeding and mulching of the areas along the sides of the runway will be completed next week.
A connecting taxiway was also constructed in the corporate hangar area along with a small extension to the north aircraft parking apron. A new storm water ditch and concrete pipes were installed in the corporate area as well.
The precision approach path indicator lights (PAPI) to runway 14 are still officially out of service since the FAA must flight check them for accuracy.
The runway extension also required the modification of all of the instrument approach procedures to the airport. The FAA plans on publishing the updated approaches on December 20th.
PHASE TWO
The second phase of the project is coming up for bids on July 12th. That part of the project will involve the completion of the parallel taxiway to runway 14-32. The aggregate base and paving is the biggest portion of the project. The sand base for the taxiway was installed as part of the runway project. Plans also include the installation of 158 new taxiway lights along the entire parallel taxiway. The reflective markers and solar powered LED taxiway lights currently lining the taxiway will be relocated to the aircraft parking aprons and taxilanes in the north and south hangar areas. The second phase will be completed this summer.
AIRSHOW 2007
The fourth annual New Richmond Airshow is planned for Saturday and Sunday June 23rd and 24th. This year’s airshow will be bigger and better than ever before. Seven acts are planned. Some familiar names are back this year, including Pete Tallarita, John Mohr, and Darrel Massman. Jon Melby, and Mike Niccum are the new performers signed on for the show.
Previously, the airshow was held on the south end of the airport. This year, things will be moving to the north end. The new runway extension will allow the show line to run along runway 14-32. Access the north end of the airport via CTH CC (Wall Street)
The show starts at 2 PM each day. A pig roast is planned for Saturday after the show.
Admission to the show is $5 each with children ten and under getting in free.
Planes rides will be available in a vintage Stearman and possibly another aerobatic aircraft.
Local pilots are encouraged to bring their aircraft out for display.
A map showing the north end of the airport, along with other airshow information, is available at http://www.nrairport.com .
FLYING CLUB
A new flying club is taking flight at NRRA. Local pilot Jerry Tack is spearheading the project. An organizational meeting is planned for Tuesday, June 19th at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the 2nd floor conference room in hangar 11-12 on the north end of the airport. Contact Jerry at tack@frontiernet.net if you plan on attending.
MOVING ON
Long time local airframe and powerplant mechanic Dave Nelson accepted a position with the FAA Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office. Dave currently works at Baumann Floats and spent several years as part of DW Aviation here at the airport. Dave will assume an inspector position in early July. Congratulations Dave!
SEAPLANE RELATED IMPROVEMENTS
Local hangar owner Bob Perkins recently donated a 12’ aluminum boat to NRRA. The boat is undergoing refurbishment by airport personnel. The boat will be used for emergency purposes during seaplane operations on Hatfield Lake.
A new 30’ dock was constructed by airport personnel in May. The dock was installed along the seaplane ramp on the south side of NRRA.
Water levels on Hatfield Lake remain at near record low levels. Seaplane pilots are encouraged to be on the lookout for obstructions when operating on Hatfield Lake.
AIRPORT PROMOTION & SAFETY
Sixteen members of the New Richmond Kiwanis Club heard a 30 minute presentation on the airport last week. The New Richmond Vision 2020 community action group held their weekly meeting in the 2nd floor conference room at the airport last week as well. The 25 local business leaders heard a 60 minute presentation on the airport, including current events and future activities. They also toured the crew quarters and hangar area of air ambulance operator Life Link III. Towards the end of the presentation, the Life Link crew received a call to the Cumberland area. The group saw the crew position the helicopter on the ramp, fire it up and launch, all within a four minute time span. Life Link III has made the news recently for their part in transporting victims from local accident scenes. Go to http://www.nrairport.com/FBO/lifelinkiii.htm for links to newspaper articles.
New Richmond Area Ambulance and Rescue Service also conducted airport related training during their May meeting. The 30+ staff members of the service were brought up to speed on gaining access to various points on the airport, water access to Hatfield Lake, and emergency procedures related to aircraft accidents.
DONATIONS
Special thanks to Monte Weeks, owner of Proto Type Machine and Aerospace Hydraulics, located here at the airport. Monte donated four stop signs to the airport. The signs were placed on the security gates at the south entrance and in the corporate hangar area. Monte also donated a forklift to the airport. The forklift will come in handy for airport personnel when moving the 2,000 pound tanks of runway deicing fluid.
JOB OPENINGS
Baumann Floats LLC is looking for manufacturing employees. Demand for aircraft floats continues to remain high. Additional workers are needed to keep up with the demand. Contact Joe Birkemeyer at 246-9352 for information. http://www.baumannfloats.com
Monte Weeks from Proto Type Machine and Aerospace Hydraulics is also looking for skilled machinists for the day shift. Contact Monte at 246-6276 or ptmach@pressenter.com for information.
MOWING SERVICES
New Richmond resident, UW-Madison college student, and part-time airport maintenance employee Robert Rice is once again offering lawn care services to local hangar owners. Robert has his own lawn care equipment. Contact Robert at 715-246-5977 for information.
A FEW LAST THINGS
- The next regular Airport Commission meeting is planned for Tuesday, July 31st at 6:30 PM at the airport
- A listing of fly-in’s in Wisconsin can be found at http://www.dot.state.wi.us/travel/air/fly-ins.htm
- A listing of hangar spaces available at NRRA can be found at http://www.nrairport.com/rent.htm
Thanks!
Mike Demulling, Airport Manager
Airports Mean Business!