The Portage, Wisconsin Common Council is set to vote on a resolution to explore the permanent closure of the Portage Municipal Airport (C47) and investigate selling the valuable 106-acre property for development.
The city-owned airport costs approximately $100,000 annually to operate and faces physical constraints from surrounding infrastructure and development that prevent expansion.
Although discussions about the airport's future have occurred for decades, the city has not accepted federal or state grants, meaning it is not obligated to keep the facility open.
The aviation community, including the local EAA chapter, is strongly opposing the resolution, emphasizing the airport's importance as a local hub, a popular cross-country stop, and a crucial diversion point for EAA AirVenture traffic in Oshkosh.
Last week two alderpersons on the Common Council in Portage, Wisconsin, proposed a resolution to facilitate the permanent closure of the city’s airport.
On Thursday night, the council will vote on a resolution, but that doesn’t mean the Portage Municipal Airport (C47) will close, stressed city administrator Michael Bablick.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
