Business View Magazine | Volume 8, Issue 8

171 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 8, ISSUE 8 you look at one of the tenants on the field, a unique company called Brainerd Helicopter Service. Brainerd Helicopter has provided professional services for 45 years in the region, with professional commercial charter flights in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, and Iowa. They also do fire support, power line support, and other commercial air services. “And here is the thing,” says Wright. “We are helping them to consolidate their growth and so part of our development funding is going into hangar space for them and, as they consolidate, some of the old facilities that they vacate will be open for other corporate-type airplanes.” Wright’s own passion for the aeronautical industry is seen in the focus on educational and promotional programs the airport creates. He shares, “We have an almost 270-degree view of the airfield from the terminal. The excitement begins when a kid comes up to the window and watches everything happening. They might just be there for breakfast at the café, but their imagination is going to take flight. Then along with the 13 businesses that are based at the airport we provide resources for school tours, community outreach events, public open houses… you name it. I have great tenants that are passionate about what they do and they’re willing to share their story with the community kids, with schools. One neat thing that’s happening is that NorthPoint Aviation and their flight instruction team have agreements with the schools – to go in and provide elective classroom experience to high school students. So every quarter we get about 12 students that come out and go through a ground school type curriculum.” For Wright, seeing people choose Brainerd as their vacation destination and then watching those same people choose Brainerd as their home has been an incredible benefit of running the airport. This has certainly been true during BELL 206L3/4 (Long Ranger) 5-6 Passenger Seating BELL 206BIII (Jet Ranger) 3-4 Passenger Seating Email helicopters@brainerd.net Call 218-829-5484 website www.brainerdhelicopters.com The BEST way to see the Brainerd LakesArea! Air Tour Packages for All Budgets! BRA INERD LAKES REGIONAL A I RPORT