In 1935, just 32 years after the Wright Brothers’ famous first flight, the Waukesha County Airport began as an airport for aviation enthusiasts to learn to fly.  Today, the airport serves a variety of business and recreational flight, providing nearly 1,000 jobs that generate over $24 million in wages and payroll per year for the local community, according to a 2009  economic impact report . The airport is also credited with generating nearly $81 million in sales for the organizations that use it for aviation, and the companies that provide goods and services to them.

In addition, the airport plays host to a variety of charitable events hosted by our tenants to raise funds for their favorite charities, and each year the Waukesha County Airport is home to “Wings Over Waukesha,” which raises funds for the Experimental Aircraft Association to maintain its famous B-17 Aluminum Overcast airplane that served the country valiantly in World War II and is the central public attraction at the event.  The event also provides funds for the local EAA chapter to give annual scholarships to young people to pursue careers in aviation.

The airport is also a responsible neighbor, encouraging noise abatement procedures to avoid excessive airplane engine noise that would disturb other residents. The Waukesha County Airport is also home to many services that benefit the community such as Flight For Life, which is located on site to provide faster response to individuals who require emergency medical transport; and several airport tenants participate in providing Angel Flights to individuals who need assistance with transportation for life-saving medical procedures.

The Waukesha County Airport also is a diligent partner with local, state and federal agencies to ensure flight safety standards are in place to protect the public, as well as our customers and tenants.  Beyond this, the airport played an integral role in the development of programs by the Waukesha County Technical College to enhance security at our nation’s general aviation airports. Funded by a Department of Homeland Security grant, the General Aviation Security Training Programs are designed for the General Aviation Community stakeholders and police, fire and EMS first responders. Training is offered for the smallest to the largest general aviation airports, and includes instruction on how facilities can protect themselves from being used for criminal purposes, and it is free to participants or their respective agencies.