Wisconsin Airport Management Association - December 2019 Newsletter
NEWSLETTER
Sponsored in part by Mead & Hunt and Signature Flight Support
65th Annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference

The 65th Annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference will be held on Elkhart Lake at the historic Osthoff Resort, May 3-5, 2020. 

Rated one of the best lakeside resorts in Wisconsin, the Osthoff Resort is set on 500 feet of Elkhart Lake's pristine shoreline. Discover spacious suites, cozy surroundings, a variety of restaurants and dining options, and fun things to do for the whole family!

Registration is now open at the following links.
 
 
 
Membership Dues

Membership Dues will remain unchanged for participating airports and corporate partners during 2020. Invoices will be emailed during the 2nd week of December. 
 
2020 Dues Schedule:
 
Small General Aviation Airports:    $100
Large General Aviation Airports:    $350
 
Non-Hub Airports:       $850
Small-Hub Airports:     $1600
Medium-Hub Airports:  $2250
 
Small Corporation Partners (1-10 employees):       $100
Medium Corporation Partners (11-25 employees):  $275
Large Corporation Partners (26+ employees)         $500
 
Note: Membership includes all employees of Participating Airports and Corporate Partners. Corporate Excellence and Platinum sponsors of the Wisconsin Aviation Conference receive complimentary WAMA membership!
Washington, D.C. Fly-In

We are very excited to announce WAMA is partnering with TDA Wisconsin on a fly-in legislative day in Washington, D.C. for the first time in 2020! The TDA Fly-in is the perfect opportunity to bring Wisconsin transportation issues to our national representatives. Virtually every congressional office and both senate offices participate and look forward to this information exchange on key issues with Wisconsin's transportation stakeholders. The two days in Washington, D.C. literally "fly by", and participants are back in Wisconsin before they know it. It is a good, quick trip for busy schedules.
 
The fly-in contingent leaves Wisconsin in the morning of the first day. Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., participants attend an afternoon briefing session - typically legislators and experts on the national level bring attendees up-to-date on pressing federal transportation issues. In the evening there is a group reception and dinner, a perfect opportunity for networking. The speakers at the morning session on the second day delve deeper into the issues of concern to Wisconsin's transportation community. Activities in Washington, D.C. culminate with the ever-popular small group office visits with Wisconsin's congressional delegation. As a past Fly-in participant commented, "One of the most impressive things about the TDA Fly-in is looking at the attendee listing. It really is a who's who in Wisconsin transportation."
 
WAMA will be offering four professional development grant opportunities of up to $1,500 for general aviation airport members who are interested in participating in the fly-in! Depending on how long you plan to stay, this grant should cover most or all of your registration, travel and hotel costs for this trip. Email Bob O'Brien to express your interest in being considered for this opportunity.
 
Additional details including registration information will follow soon in a subsequent email.
Wisconsin Legislature - Bills proposed relating to liens on aircraft and aircraft engines 

After years of lobbying in coordination with industry partners and fellow state aviation organizations, your Wisconsin Airport Management Association is pleased to announce major progress on the Mechanics Lien legislation. This article in Midwest Flyer does an excellent job summarizing the need to update Wisconsin's laws to ensure that ownership of an aircraft or aircraft engine can be transferred free and clear of all mortgages, liens, leases or encumbrances and that there are no legal questions or ambiguities to the aircraft's ownership.

The Assembly Bill 611 (AB611) was presented to the Committee on Jobs and the Economy and Senate Bill 557 (SB557) was presented to the Committee on Economic Development, Commerce and Trade on December 4th, 2019 receiving favorable support. Votes were scheduled for December 18th and passed both committees unanimously. A final vote is expected to be scheduled for both floors either in January or February, 2020. A copy of the legislation can be found at the links above and we look forward to further updates as these bills continue to progress.
 
Special thanks to bill authors Representative Tittle (R - Manitowoc) and Senator Roth (R - Appleton) and all who have testified or registered in support of this legislation.
ATW Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Training Center

Opening Spring of 2020, the ATW ARFF Training Center is the nation's premier center for  aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) training.
 
Located at Fox Valley Technical College's Public Safety Training Center (PSTC), adjacent to the Appleton International Airport (ATW), the world-class training field at the ATW ARFF Training Center includes a  one-of-a-kind Boeing 777 Specialized Aircraft Fire Trainer (B777 SAFT) and Cessna Skyhawk training prop. They are set on a spill-fire area of 96 individually-controlled fire zones, which is the largest in the training industry. The props are designed for realistic emergency aircraft fire and rescue response with multiple scenarios to teach respondents the proper approach and attack techniques. To learn more or to register, please click HERE.