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May 28--MENOMONIE -- Menomonie Municipal Airport officials hope the airport will be home to an aerobatic flight zone in addition to more traditional airplane flights.
Airport Commission members on Wednesday unanimously authorized applying to the Federal Aviation Administration to create an aerobatic practice zone over the north/south runway of Menomonie Municipal Airport.
Aerobatic flights involve pilots performing a series of maneuvers such as flips while in the air.
Bill Cowden of Menomonie, a pilot for Delta Airlines who also performs solo aerobatic air shows, is seeking the aerobatic practice area.
"It allows us to train in a real-life situation," Cowden said, "I think it would be an asset to the airport. It's another reason for pilots to come and utilize this airport."
Allowing aerobatic maneuvers would benefit the airport in a number of ways, Cowden said, including increasing fuel sales. It also would make the airport safer, he said.
Cowden currently practices aerobatic maneuvers at a rural Menomonie location, but other pilots aren't always aware he is there.
"The safety issue for me is very important," Airport Commission member Dan Johnson said. "The increased utilization of the airport is a nice byproduct."
Aerobatic airplanes using the zone would be single-engine models and centered on the airport strip minimizing noise to areas around the airport.
Aerobatics would be allowed with 24-hour notice to the airport manager so other pilots can receive notification of the planned aerobatics.
Cowden said the closest aerobatic strip he is aware of is a private one in the Chetek area.
Others attending the meeting also backed the formation of an aerobatic zone. Al Foster of rural Menomonie said it would provide entertainment at the airport.
"I think it would be great to have an aerobatics practice area to bring in additional pilots and planes," the student pilot said.
Richard Purvis of Menomonie said his son is returning from Iraq and wants to take up aerobatic training, and the practice box would allow a place for that.
Cowden isn't sure whether the FAA will approve his request, but he remains hopeful it will happen.
Powers can be reached at 715-556-9018 or [email protected].
Aerobatic Zone
A proposed aerobatic flight zone at the Menomonie Municipal Airport would include a practice box be 4,500 feet long, 1,000 feet wide and oriented on the centerline of the runway. It would extend 4,000 feet upward from the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration will determine whether to allow the zone.
