Announcing Our New WATA Web Site

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article is an editorial by the author, and may not reflect the opinion of other WATA members, corporate sponsors, MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE or its advertisers. Nothing can be reprinted without the written consent of the author, WATA and MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE. Any use of the information presented is done so without permission and at the user's risk.

by Bruce Botterman, President
Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association

The WATA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the opening of the WATA website, "WATAONLINE.ORG." This membership benefit will provide member businesses with increased visibility and credibility.

WATAONLINE.ORG has a membership directory, legal page, contact page, WATA Difference articles, a history page, for sale and help wanted pages, plus "links" to other aviation sites, including links to member business websites. The customers of member companies and other operators now have access to member company services at WATAONLINE.ORG. A letter to members has been mailed to provide instructions on the use of the website. WATA is providing this service for members.

WATA member companies are also urged to submit news and information about their business, services and airport to Midwest Flyer Magazine via email at weiman@mailbag.com or via mail at MFM, POB 199, Oregon WI 53575-0199. This too is a "free" membership benefit and provides member companies with tremendous visibility at a regional level. It is also a great way to recognize key employees by noting their job descriptions, years of service, and outstanding contributions to a member company's operation.

The WATA Board is planning a one-day seminar in early November. The
tentative location is Wisconsin Rapids and the tentative program will be marketing, along with round table discussions. Your WATA Board would like to hear from members regarding subjects that interest them. More will follow as the date gets closer.

Enjoy the summer flying season and get out to those fly-ins around the Midwest and promote Wisconsin aviation! Remember to visit, WWW. WATAONLINE.ORG.


Aviation Businessman Weathers Injuries, Downturn To Succeed!

GENOA CITY, WIS. - Gino Santi, 46, was 14 years old when his row boat was ran over by a speed boat, severely injuring his right hand. An Army recruiter told him he would never be able to fly helicopters, but thanks to the operator at Galt Airport in McHenry County, Illinois, Santi got his start in aviation washing and fueling airplanes - money he used to learn how to fly. Santi was promoted to aircraft mechanic and parts specialist, then moved on to accept a position with the aircraft parts and supply catalog company, Wag-Aero in Lyons, Wis.

In 1979, Santi started Trimcraft Aviation, Inc., a key supplier of aircraft parts to fixed base operators. He said the hardest part was to build up a group of clientele, and nearly closed the doors for lack of business. But success came because Trimcraft Aviation stocks parts that small operators can't afford to inventory themselves, like (hydraulic) vacuum pumps in assorted sizes and nose wheel seal kits.

Like many other aviation vendors, Trimcraft Aviation faced daunting times in the 1980s when aircraft manufacturers stopped building single-engine aircraft, and general aviation took a turn for the worst. Santi's customer base went from 12,000 FBOs to 3,800 with the demise of many small "ma and pa" operations, and his suppliers of parts were also ceasing production. But with the decrease in aircraft production, more pilots were spending money fixing up older aircraft, so Trimcraft Aviation met their needs with everything from door seals, gaskets and rivets to hardware hose, tires and PMA'd parts. Today, his customer list includes not only fixed base operators, but also major distributors such as AAR Distribution, Omaha Airplane Supply, United Aero and Falcon Crest to name a few.

Santi may have weathered the downturn in general aviation, but an emergency landing in 1984 nearly cost him his life. "It was a pilot's worst nightmare," recalled Santi. "When the engine quit, I had just taken off so I had no altitude, no airspeed and no place to go." As the plane descended, it clipped a power line and flipped over. Santi broke several bones in his face, broke his elbow and suffered numerous other injuries. Luckily, the plane did not catch fire because Santi laid in the wreckage unconscious.
Trimcraft Aviation has recently completed a warehouse expansion to 6,000 sq. feet. With the continued growth of general aviation, the future looks
even brighter for Gino Santi and his wife, Melissa.

For a current parts list, fixed base operators and distributors may contact Trimcraft Aviation at 262-279-6896. The company is strictly a wholesale supplier.

Skycom Avionics Breaks Ground For New Facility

WAUKESHA, WIS. - Skycom Avionics, Inc. has broken ground for the first hangar to be put in the new Ramp Area Development District of Waukesha County Airport. The new ramp area is just to the south of the new terminal building (along ramp B, or the airport tie-down area). "This area is designated for certain aeronautical services as well as a variety of commercial services," explained Keith Markano, acting manager of Waukesha County Airport.

Skycom Avionics is currently operating out of the old maintenance hangar on the north side of the airport, and at Milwaukee-Timmerman Airport. The new facility will put Skycom closer to where most of the airport activity occurs, stated Markano. Skycom is initially constructing a 120 x 74 ft. hangar that can ultimately be expanded to 120 x 120 ft.
For additional information contact Skycom Avionics at 1-800-443-4490 or 414-463-8180.


Kelley Named Wisconsin Aviation Business Person of The Year

APPLETON, WIS. - Pat Kelley of Central Wisconsin Aviation, Inc. was named "Wisconsin Aviation Business Person of the Year" for 2001 by the Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association (WATA). The award was presented to Kelley during the Wisconsin Aviation Conference, April 10 in Appleton. Kelley's father, John Kelley, was a World War II Marine Corps fighter pilot and flew F4U Corsairs in the Pacific Theater. It was he and two other people who established Central Wisconsin Aviation, Inc. when Central Wisconsin Airport was built in 1969. Current owners are John, his wife Kate, and Pat.

Kate Kelley began working in the business after she raised their children. She operated the business from the mid 1970s to the late 1980s. John and Kate remain active in the business to this day, but Pat manages the day-to-day operations with his wife, Dawn.

Pat has been involved in the business since he was 12 years old, beginning with cleaning chores, then working in line services. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, and obtained his private, commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings.

Central Wisconsin Aviation provides flight training, aircraft maintenance, fuel sales, and hangar storage.

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