(APPLETON, WIS.) Oct. 23, 2025— Inbound and outbound travelers are breaking records at the Appleton International Airport main terminal, but private plane flights at the Flight Center are also growing. In the last three years, general aviation (private or business) flights have increased 12% and commercial flights (scheduled flights such as charters) have increased 49%. In 2024, the flight center had a total of 12,000 arrivals and departures.
“Private air service is all about meeting immediate travel needs,” ATW Airport Director Abe Weber said. “Private planes allow business travelers to fly into smaller or more direct locations. And thanks to the proximity of the EAA, more recreational pilots are using the hangars and services we provide,” he said.
“We’re a one-stop shop for essential services like fueling, maintenance, ground handling, even concierge services inside the building,” said Bob Woods, manager of the Appleton Flight Center. “Our team takes care of the details and allows pilots to focus on flying instead of logistics,” he added. On October 25, the flight center will thank and recognize tenants for their business with an Octoberfest Fly-In. The event will feature brats from the Meat Block, craft drinks from the Stone Arch Brew Pub, and polka music from the Mark Jirikovec Band. The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. located at N259 Ares Dr, Appleton and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Old Glory Honor Flight.
The 80 hangars at the Appleton Flight Center are occupied by private and commercial tenants, and one long-time tenant will be recognized. Bruce Douglas is an Appleton-based radiologist with an unusual hobby: he has a collection of unique aircraft. His 1947 Seabee was recently featured on the cover of the EAA’s Sport Aviation magazine and is one of two planes in the collection that can take off or land on water. Other planes are:
- Piaggio Royal Gull float plane,
- Mitsubishi MU-2 plane previously owned by an Apollo astronaut,
- Stemme S10 self-propelled sail plane
- Piper Twin Comanche plane
The Appleton Flight center opened in 2013 and since then has seen steady growth. In early May of 2024, the airport opened a new 31,000 square foot hangar at the site funded with a federal grant at a cost of $7.4 million.
