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How private and public airlines avoid crashing despite increased flights
2 mins read

How private and public airlines avoid crashing despite increased flights

Wausau, Wis. (WSAW) – Some people may be worried about flying because of Last crash at Ronald Reagan National Airport. While Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) handles commercial flights, smaller airports in the region – for example, Wausau Centrum, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wood County and Merrill – are to private aircraft, all share the same regional airspace.

Despite almost a century of start and landings at South Wood County Airport, there have been no significant accidents, according to the airport officials.

“Nothing has changed,” said Jeremy Sickler, the airport manager. “With as good safety records as we have had for several years and decades, it’s good.”

Sickler explained that smaller private aircraft works separately from larger commercial aircraft traveling through CWA.

“They could fly exactly the same way between, let’s say, Minneapolis and Chicago and Mosinee or back and forth but a smaller plane will fly at a lower altitude,” he said.

About 12 miles from CWA, Wausau center Airport also manages private air traffic. Unlike CWA, which has an air control tower, Wausau works in a pilot -controlled airspace, which means that pilots communicate directly with each other.

“Comes into that airspace at the smaller airports that may have less traffic. The pilots all work at the same radio frequency. That way we can communicate with each other and find out where the places are so we can avoid each other, ”said John Chmiel, Wausau Downtown Airport manager.

Chmiel said there has never been a collision in the air within 80 miles from Wausau but emphasized the importance of ongoing security measures.

“We will analyze what the government and investigators have to say about it (Ronald Reagan National Airport crash), and we will discuss ways that we can make sure that we can avoid it happening here,” he said.

Both airport managers acknowledged that some people may feel nervous about flying but calmed travelers about their safety and point to the thousands of flights that work safely every day.