Getting more young people interested in aviation is a goal of an airport Fly-In set for June 26.
The Fly-In at the Lakeland Airport in Arbor Vitae is intended for the public to see the recent upgrades to the 1940's -era terminal and on-going work. But it's also intended...with the offer of free food...to promote aviation to a new generation says airport administrator Jon Schmitz....
"....especially targeted are the youth, we want kids involved in aviation. If you look at our roster, our hanger (renters), we have a lot of older people and we don't think enough youth are getting involved in aviation...."
Schmitz says 14 airports are involved and the event is being billed as a "Hamburger Social".
Schmitz says Lakeland has the longest runway in the Northwoods, more than 5 thousand feet....
".....the reason we have the mile-long runway goes back to Standard Oil.... Red Crown Lodge(in Arbor Vitae), they used to fly their young executives in so we had to build a runway to accommodate those people...."
Schmitz says the public will get a chance to see the upgraded terminal and the new maintenance facility which under construction.
The free Hamburger Social is set for June 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. More information is available at the Lakeland Airport.
The airport serves the towns of Minocqua, Woodruff, Arbor Vitae and Lac du Flambeau.
