Airport commission salutes history, plans for the future

Editor’s note: This brief history of the Shawano Municipal Airport was written by airport comission secretary Doug Engel on behalf of the airport commission.

Area aviation enthusiasts and the Shawano Airport Commission are looking forward to the airport’s Aug. 21 re-dedication celebration.

The event marks the completion of its most recent primary runway and taxiway rehabilitation project.

This $2.3 million project, following closely on the heels of the $850,000 new terminal construction project, represents another milestone in the continued development and investment in this significant community asset.

These investments have taken place through partnerships with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and general aviation funding grants, along with funds from the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics — making the project possible with minimal local funding.

This funding mechanism puts aviation fuel tax money back into infrastructure projects, such as those at Shawano. Other projects funded over the years include the security fencing, fuel storage and vending system, as well as earlier runway projects. This enables small community general aviation airports a meaningful and highly leveraged source of funds for eligible projects with strong community impact.

Later this summer, the airport will undertake yet another project to refresh its airport layout and long-term development plan. This was last done nearly 20 years ago and lays the foundation for future projects — including a runway extension, development of additional hangar space, addition of visual landing aids, renovation of other infrastructure such as the seaplane base and resurfacing of the cross-wind runway, among other things. Shawano is among the first Wisconsin general aviation airports to undertake this generation of long-term planning projects.

Shawano has a long history of aviation dating back to the 1930s and the early days of flying. Local businessmen and women understood the need for an aviation connection. Aviators were regularly paying visits to local fields to avail of the recreational amenities in Shawano, as well as the presence of a viable airport in nearby Clintonville. It was used for flying parts out of the Four Wheel Drive during the buildup to World War II, later to become North Central Airlines.

It was time for Shawano to have a “real” airport. In 1940, sufficient land was secured on the Gumaer farm east of town on the lake. Within months, a charter was signed with the National Aeronautics Association (a precursor to today’s Federal Aviation Administration) and land cleared to establish the airport.

Shortly thereafter, a site was cleared on the shores of the Gumaer property for the establishment of a seaplane base. The grand opening of the airport in 1940 drew a crowd estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 people and included presentations by Steve Whitman (already an aviation legend and pioneer, whose planes hang in the Smithsonian). The director of the National Aeronautic Association stated that “Shawano had the potential to be one of the finest general aviation landing areas in the upper Midwest, and the gateway to the north.”

Additional land was subsequently secured from the Lemhouse family farm to the south. Over the years, parcels were acquired to the east as well as along what is now the Mountain Bay Trail to comprise today’s 300 acres of airport property.

Following WWII, the airport was named after Wilmer Zeuske. A WWII aviator from Shawano, Zeuske died from enemy fighter aircraft fire during a bombing mission over Burma while en route to Kunming, China, as part of a Flying Tigers contingent of B25s.

Shawano was also home to Fritz Wolf, who, at that time, was already a member of the Flying Tigers. He subsequently went on to become a WWII ace, having downed five enemy aircraft over the course of his Air Corps duty.

Over the years, many others have left a mark at the Shawano Airport or have benefited from having learned to fly — or having caught the “bug” — watching planes fly in Shawano. Shawano was one of about 60 high schools in the United States with an aviation program initiated in 1965 with a federal grant to stimulate interest in aviation careers. This program continued over many years and was initially lead by Fred Davel, a longtime educator in Shawano.

Today, quite a few folks owe their initial flying instruction to elements of this program. A number of operators have run flight schools, charter flights, plane rentals, scenic flights and aviation fuel sales at the airport over the years.

This role today has been assumed by Shawano Flying Service, which continues to function as airport manager with Clarence Schampers, owner. The airport commission recently announced the addition of PilotSmith Inc. as the new provider of flight instruction in Shawano and is excited about the capabilities they bring to our community. Plans are underway to further expand the service capabilities of the airport in the near future.

Shawano Municipal Airport is home to about 30 aircraft of all sizes, shapes and models, including one helicopter. These aircraft are stored in 13 privately owned and two airport-owned hangar buildings, with the privately owned buildings subject to land leases from the airport commission.

The primary runway is 3,900 feet by 75 feet, generally east/west, with pilot-controlled lighting, and further supported by an IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) approach from both east and west. This makes the primary runway an all-weather facility under most weather conditions. The secondary runway is primarily north/south and is 2,400 feet by 75 feet, also with pilot-controlled lighting.

Adjacent grass areas provide space for small aircraft to land, at pilot’s discretion, and with other conditions permitting. Shawano’s seaplane base, adjacent to the airport on Shawano Lake, is one of only a couple in the state with this sort of proximity, and is a very unique asset. The recent addition of a fuel cart enables fueling of seaplanes at the dock, increasing the utility of the airport for those non-amphibious seaplanes needing water-based service.

Airplanes of all sizes and types use the airport. While most of the aircraft currently based in Shawano are single-engine and small twin-engine aircraft, runway capabilities enable small corporate or private jets to use Shawano as a destination airport. A runway extension would greatly increase the capabilities of the airport and is part of the long-term plan.

On any given day, you can see a number of aircraft at the airport. There is a regular fly-in crowd of a couple to a dozen or more planes that arrive in Shawano to lunch or breakfast at the nearby facilities. Plans are underway to provide greater outreach to attract more transient visitors and develop a regular schedule of airport events going forward. Organizing around other regional aviation events, such as EAA and other fly-ins, further enhances opportunities for Shawano to attract visitors and encourage extended stays — and perhaps home ownership — in the area.

Nearly every airplane owner is looking for places to go to enjoy the use of their planes. Distances of several hundred miles are only an hour or less away, and Shawano can be on their list. Local and regional businesses use the airport as a means to enable customers, suppliers, investors and owners to access their companies. Consequently you will see a number of smaller corporate jet and prop-jets fly in and out of Shawano from time to time. FAA statistics suggest that anywhere from 13,000 to 19,000 aircraft comings and goings take place at Shawano every year.

Statistics show that a viable and active airport is essential for community development and growth. The airport commission is currently working on a variety of initiatives to enhance activity at the airport, increase the visibility of it within the flying community and partner with business to enhance the value of this important community asset. Where possible, federal, state and local funds will be leveraged to take advantage of funding sources and other support tools intended for general aviation airports such as Shawano.

In the meantime … stop in and see the airport. Ask for a tour. Talk to a pilot. Ask for a ride. Renew your thoughts about getting started in flying. Think about taking a Discovery Flight with PilotSmith Inc. Look into an EAA Young Eagles flight for the 8- to 17-year-olds in your family. It just might launch a career. Check out our website, ShawanoAirport.com. Encourage your flying friends to visit our airport, our new terminal and our newly refurbished runway.