Stene/Kalispell City AirportKalispell City Council Members
It has come to my attention that discussions have been taking place
between citizen groups outspoken in a negative fashion towards the
Kalispell City airport and the Kalispell City Council. It also sounds
like comments are being made with forbearance of the actual facts.
I would like to take this opportunity to assist in voicing the viewpoint
of the pilot community as a fellow pilot and residence of the greater
flathead community. Kalispell should consider it fortunate to have the
airport resource it does. It provides pilots like myself an invaluable
resource for accessing community resources; hotels, stores, shopping.
We actively take advantage of those resources.
The airport has hosted fly-ins and aircraft type club events that have
brought significant additional revenue to the airport and businesses of
the community. We’ve personally contributed to this in fuel and
shopping. This is the only airport that offers all of this without the
security restriction of a commercially served airport.
Your airport has been used as a commerce access point and recreation
access point for aviators for a long time. To discontinue that service
and remove this asset with the ideal airport location you have would be
a disservice to pilots and the businesses of your community.
Please take these comments thoughtfully and work towards improving an
asset and not destroy it.
Willie Stene
Polson MT
(406)883-6743