AOPA works with pilots to counter attacks at Lost Nation
While Lake County commissioners are still working to preserve and take control of Willoughby Lost Nation Municipal Airport in Willoughby, Ohio, some vocal residents in the neighboring city of Mentor want to close the airport to build a park. AOPA is working with Airport Support Network volunteer Gary Swanson to build pilot support and inform Mentor city officials of the economic boost the airport provides to the town. Lost Nation Municipal has more than 45,000 aircraft operations per year, and nearly 50 percent of those operations bring business to the area through transient pilots. The airport has been threatened with closure periodically for the past decade, but AOPA assures members that it will take whatever action is necessary to protect the field. A significant amount of airport property was purchased with federal money, which requires the airport remain open in perpetuity.
February 16, 2007
