CORNUCOPIA GOES PUBLIC

The RAF is pleased to announce that Cornucopia Airport, 23W (formerly WI23) along Wisconsin’s shore of Lake Superior is now open for public access.

RAF Director Jeff Russell of Waunakee obtained RAF grants and worked with the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics for the past three years, organizing work parties and airfield improvements in cooperation with Cornucopia townspeople who were very supportive. To ensure its official public-use status, RAF and local volunteers removed brush and cleared trees. Airport Manager Tim Kaseno secured cones per Aeronautics’ directions to mark the runway.

Russell began with an RAF grant for the pilot shelter, that local volunteers helped finish out, picnic tables, and a bicycle shed with donated bicycles. They created a camping area where visitors are welcome to tent beneath their wings. “Huge thanks to all the volunteers from both the town and the RAF that helped to get the airport improved to meet the requirements of public use. It’s been an amazing collaboration with literally dozens and dozens of folks from each group pitching in. And also a big thanks to the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics for being so engaged and helpful,” Russell said.

Landing on Cornucopia’s 1,920-foot turf runway puts you just a short bicycle ride to the Village with restaurants, shops, and lodging. A few miles away is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. “The scenery is absolutely spectacular. There are incredible recreational opportunities in the area including kayaking to the sea caves, hiking to waterfalls and the shoreline above the caves, and trout fishing in a nearby stream,” Russell added.

You are invited to Cornucopia’s third annual Solstice Fly-in, June 17-19, 2022, hosted by the airport. “Attendees are invited to camp under their wing, socialize, and take part in the many outdoor activities the area has to offer,” Hal Davis wrote in the June/July issue of Midwest Flyer digital magazine. Advance registration is required. Please visit the airport’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/CornyAirport.

You’ll see Cornucopia’s new green Public/Permissive dot at the Airfield Guide. 

Our Cornucopia Airstrip Hats, sporting the original identifier, WI23, on The RAF Outfitter are now a limited edition item! Order your hat while we still have it! Once they’re gone, we will be updating the hats to have the new identifier, 23W.

Submitted May 31, 2022