Flying High
Flying High
“If you’re looking for Mike, he’s outside putting duct tape on a broken wing.”
Har-dee-har, I think, as I try to steer Emily toward the door that leads to the tarmac.
Not to be outdone, another man speaks up: “Mike just got back from the bar. He’s waiting for you.”
Emily laughs, and we banter with the four men sitting at a round table in the Viroqua Airport lounge. A large off-white golden doodle lying under the table looks just as comfortable as the men do as if they’re all part of the furniture. Later, I learn from Mike Olson, director of airport operations, that these gentlemen, all pilots, have been enjoying this late-afternoon coffee gathering since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emily and I often go on adventure dates, and this time, I thought flying would be fun. The last time I went, Carol came along, and the time before that, Dane and I took his mom. Both flights were with Roy (now Sheriff) Torgerson.
Today, we’re taking off in Mike Sebion’s Piper Arrow T-Tail, a sleek plane with velvety gold upholstery. It’s a perfect day with little wind. I’m sitting in the co-pilot's seat, and Emily is in the back. While Mike does his pre-flight preparations, I double-check that my door is closed. Before you know it, Mike’s making an announcement over the common traffic frequency, and we’re heading down the runway. We fly at an altitude of 3,000 feet, approximately 1,500 feet above the ground.
Mike and Emily are oriented immediately as they both spot Highway 82, but it takes me longer to get my bearings. I sit as straight as I can, peering out the windshield and to the side, over the wing.
Mike recently retired from dairy farming, and as he flies the plane hands-free, I ask him if he was sad to see his cows go. “Not in the least,” he deadpans, but mentions that others in his family were. Mike’s wife shares his love of flying. He even takes his 94-year-old mom flying each year!
Mike and Emily spot the copper-colored roof of my house before I do. We circle my place a few times, trying to get a good photo before we head over to the Mississippi River. I’m reminded of how low in the valley I live when seeing it from above.
Later, Mr. Olson shares with me some of the history of the Viroqua Airport, which was developed in the 1950s; he’s been involved with it in various capacities for the past 40 years. In 1990, he and other local pilots volunteered their time to help construct the terminal building. He tells me that Erin Brueggen, a corporate pilot who lives in Cashton, took all the photos that hang on the walls there. “She was in one plane, hanging out, taking pictures of those other planes,” he chuckles.
For a small town, this airport is busy, with about 2,500 flights per year. Mr. Olson tells me all 23 hangars are full, and there are always inquiries. They are working with master engineers to figure out how to accommodate more.
The Driftless Café is a draw for many of the pilots who fly in and use one of the two courtesy cars. One couple flies in monthly from southeast Wisconsin because they love shopping at the Viroqua Food Co-op. Other people fly in for the region’s outstanding trout fishing. And every July, the airport hosts the annual Fly-In Breakfast, which, despite less-than-ideal weather, served 1,000 meals last year.
Mr. Olson reminds me that the airport is public and includes a great area for family picnics, as well as the terminal, which is always open and has an observation deck. This city-owned airport receives support from the state and the FAA’s Airport and Airway Trust Fund, established in 1970, which is funded by taxes on airline tickets, air freight, and aviation fuel.
As Mike brings us in for a landing, he tells us what he’s looking at and how he’s preparing. Watching him, I’m impressed by how many controls and dials there are to learn.
Emily exclaims over the seamless landing, and we both thank Mike for giving us such a pleasant flight. One can easily see why people fly in this area. The perspective of our region's hills, valleys, winding roads, and rivers is breathtaking.
I’m impressed with Mr. Olson’s dedication, and I view our airport as a gem, not just “a playground for the rich,” as he puts it. Having an accessible airport for people to fly into, complete with courtesy cars available for fine dining, suburban shopping, or the best trout fishing in the area, is a real perk for our city. The coffee klatch men, both Mikes, and Sheriff Torgerson are bonuses!
