b'58 GWS GENERAL AVIATION Airport Manager Amy Helm organizes community eventsPolishing the Gem of the Rockiesto highlight the broad benefits of general aviation. Helm and Rippy are already brainstorming ideas for the airport. I would love to have a large hangar with offices for the FBO and a room for instructors. I would love to hold EAA [Experimental Aircraft Association] chapter meetings and events, says Helm.She can also envision a restaurant. Once South Bridge is built, it would be nice for people to come out to the airport. Right now, people just grab the courtesy car and go into town. We are a tourist destination, and it would be great to have these things to add for our tourists, Helm says.Like many other general aviation airports, the No. 1 need is more hangars. We have such a demand for hangars, Rippy reports. We will also have to get a taxiway on the west side. A new runway statistics program that went live in October 2024 is expected to be highly beneficial because it provides the airport The big thing is that I dont work for the city anymore; andwith an accurate count of operations and shows how many are I now work for the benefit of the airport. I get to go for grantfrom based aircraft versus visiting tourists. If the number of funding and work on the ALP [airport layout plan]. We finally cantourist operations increases, then the demand for an FBO, pilots take care of the airport. lounge, second courtesy car or even a city-run bus route from the Wussow notes that under the new arrangement with the city,airport into downtown should all be considered, Helm explains. the right investments in infrastructure and amenities can beIf helicopter operations continue to increase, then we need to planned and executed to realize the airports potential. Newlook at expanding our helipad area. management has energized the airport and its a great thingsoRippy adds, If we get a complaint of aircraft flying too low, much positivity, she observes.we can pull up the actual data and we will know who the pilot is and we can have a chat with that pilot. We want to be good neighbors. He continues, CDOT Aeronautics is reimbursing the EXPERIENCED | TIME-TESTED entire cost for our runway stats program because having good data makes for better decision-making regarding the airport. Educational facilities and an avionics shop co-located with the new mechanics shop are also on Rippys wish list. Were probably going to have to grow our own avionics people and grow some aviation nuts with scholarship, he quips. We do have a high school Air Force ROTC program.FULLY INTEGRATED HANGAR & DOOR SYSTEMS Rippy notes that plenty of other airports like GWS face the risk of closure. Communities, if educated, should know the value of having an airport that provides resources such as flight for life, flight training, recreation, skydiving, sightseeing, as well as aviation education for pilots, mechanics, avionics, airport management, etc. Airports bring in revenues.Zalinski is also optimistic about GWS future. This airport is an asset not just for our community but for the region, she comments. It is a gem. HANGAR As for the strategy to shift management to a nonprofit group, Rippy says, I think we are pretty much a one-off. I think it is &DOOR gonna work. EXPERTS 1957 2023 Its not just about history, a legacy or doing whats right, Helm adds. Its also about passion. KGWS Sumers Airpark came to be because some key individuals were very passionate about keeping this airport open. They saw the potential and the need for START TO FINISH EXPERTISE this vital asset, and they found a way. Its also about community Single-source for Design, Manufacturing, & On-Site Serviceswe accomplished this together.800.274.0144|FULFAB.COMJanuary | February 2025AirportImprovement.com'