In August 1946, Jerome Ripp mowed a strip of hay from his father’s farm and began flying his airplane from it. His dream of having his own airport evolved into what is today a vibrant community airpark in Waunakee, Wisconsin. Dreams like that have come and gone by other pilots hundreds of times over the past 100 years. Many factors have entered into whether or not those dreams became a reality, or if an airport was able to survive the test of time.
Owning your own airport isn’t easy, as most private owners will attest. There’s always the encroachment of housing developments and the ensuing noise complaints. There’s the responsibility of mowing grass, plowing snow, keeping runway lights operating, and occasional the complaining of neighbors about low flying aircraft. Jerome handled those things for years until his son, Don, became interested and earned his pilot certificate. Don willingly assisted his dad with those responsibilities, and helped maintain the airport as best they could.
It wasn’t long before Jerome’s pilot friends began asking him if they could use his runway. Then in 1959, a pilot bought a lot from Jerome in order to build a house and hangar. Other pilots saw the uniqueness of having their airplane in their backyard and soon, more lots were sold. Today, there are 45 houses with access to the runway.
Pilots Get Involved
Concerned with the airport upkeep, many Waunakee pilots began pitching in. In 1960, they held an airport breakfast with proceeds used for airport improvement. In 1979, the users formed the Waunakee Airport and Pilots Association (WAPA) in order to continue assisting Jerome. Through the years, WAPA has held an annual breakfast on the airport with the main objectives of developing good community relations and of supporting the airport’s upkeep. Some events have served up to 1200 breakfasts.
The Waunakee Airport (6P3), 5 miles northwest of Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) was in the Ripp family for 59 years. Jerome stated numerous times over the years that he would do everything he could to keep the airport open. There were challenges, and with continual maintenance and steep increases in property taxes, Jerome became weary of it all. Members of WAPA had approached him several times over the years with an offer to purchase the airport, but he declined each offer.
In March 2005, a group of pilots who have homes on the airport began seriously pursuing the purchase of the airport. Lynn Erickson put together a plan to purchase the airport and formed an LLC. After 24 participants agreed to become partners in the airport ownership Jerome accepted their offer. The Waunakee Airpark LLC became new owners on September 1, 2005.
There were 15 T-hangars on the east end of the airport, owned by individual pilots, who were leasing land from Jerome. Most of the hangars were old and in need of repair. Lynn approached those hangar owners with a plan to raze the hangars and construct a new building, one that would include 10 T-hangars, a storage area, and a meeting room. After a great deal of negotiating and planning, 10 pilots agreed to the plan. They would lease land from the LLC.
The next step was for each hangar to be torn down by its owner. A number of WAPA members joined in to assist in the razing process and on May 2006, the process was completed.
Construction of the new building began in June 2006 and was completed by December 2006. Numerous WAPA members assisted with construction of the basic building, and then helped individual T-hangar owners complete construction of their part of the building. Today, attractive and functional buildings house 10 aircraft, a WAPA storage area, and an office with meeting room. Neighbors in the area have commented on how the building improves the neighborhood esthetics.
Why Live Here?
Dr. John Rowe is an emergency room doctor and has been an airport resident for 20 years. His work has taken him to hospitals in Des Moines, Iowa, and southern Illinois. He said his airplane has allowed him to travel to those jobs and be home most evenings. He also stated that he enjoys being able to fly rather than drive, and having the airplane in his backyard makes it very convenient.
Another airpark resident, Bob Erickson, put it this way, “Having an airport in the backyard is about as close as we are going to get to heaven without dying.” A close friend of Bob’s had built on the Waunakee Airport and he liked the idea. Bob and his wife bought a lot and have been residents of the airport for 39 years. He said the biggest benefit of an airport in the backyard is keeping the airplane close. “Your airplane is a large monetary investment and a huge emotional one as well. If you are able to keep your airplane close, you will sleep better when you hear the wind blowing or see hailstones in the driveway. If you own a boat, you want to live on the water. If you own an airplane, you want to live on an airport. It’s that simple!”
One of Hundreds
According to Scott Brummond and Mark Pfundheller of the Wisconsin DOT Bureau of Aeronautics, there are 415 private use airports in the state. “Airports abandoned or closed equal or a little less than the number approved each year,” Mark said. They don’t know the exact number.
The Waunakee Airpark is situated in the heart of the community. The airport owners, village politicians, and school officials have communicated and cooperated exceptionally well to allow for village and school development near the airport, keeping airport operations in mind. This has resulted in satisfaction for all involved.
The Waunakee Airpark has a deep and interesting history. Once Jerome cut the hay and began flying off the farm strip, he began courting Dolores, who would eventually become his wife. On a Valentines Day, he flew over her parents’ farm and dropped a box of candy. Fortunately, it landed on a haystack and wasn’t damaged.
Jerome thoroughly enjoyed aviation and spent most of his life sharing that joy with others. The airport was there to share with anyone interested in aviation. The Badger Skydivers got its start at the Waunakee Airport, and Jerome allowed individuals to start fixed base operations on several occasions. He loaned airplanes to pilots, flew parts for the local implement dealer, flew medicine to farmers for their livestock, and gave numerous flights to individuals. That interest and dedication has carried through to the third generation. Grandson, Randy is presently flying for Republic Airlines out of Chicago.
The Waunakee Airpark LLC members intend to continue the Ripp legacy for at least the next 60 years. A residential airpark is a community where residents have common interests. They all don’t always agree 100%, but the camaraderie is closer than in the average neighborhood.
I have lived in 11 locations throughout my life and can say the past 17 years living on the Waunakee Airpark have been the most enjoyable. Having your airplane in your hangar connected to the house, and being able to pull it out and be flying in a few minutes is as Bob Erickson said, about as close to heaven without dying. If you aren’t living on an airpark, try it you might like it.
