Commission asks staff to research electric-aircraft readiness, charging and vertiport concepts

A public comment and later commission discussion on Sept. 4 pushed the Middleton Airport Commission to direct staff to research electric‑aircraft readiness, charging infrastructure and future Vertiport concepts.

Kevin Spitler, a local climate-advocacy organizer, opened public comment by reminding the commission of Middleton’s 2018 100% clean energy resolution and urging that the airport plan now for electric aircraft charging and related infrastructure so the city is prepared as the technology and market mature. Chair and commissioners raised related topics during the meeting’s agenda item on future planning and asked staff to explore grant opportunities, federal programs, and how the airport could remain flexible while the technology and standards evolve.

Staff and commissioners stressed caution: airport manager Rich noted the range of vehicle types and charging formats under development and cautioned that winter climate and current battery‑storage realities make some concepts impractical in Wisconsin today. Commissioners nonetheless supported a staff effort to create a nonbinding framework that would keep the airport informed about federal and industry developments (for example at events such as Oshkosh) and to flag funding or partnership opportunities as they appear.

Next steps: staff will draft a short statement or framework for the commission to consider, identify potential grant sources and monitor vendor and FAA developments related to advanced air mobility. The commission flagged sustainability and fleet electrification as items the city may include in a future BOA petition process.