Middleton commission tables flight-school operating agreement pending background checks and standards review

The Middleton Airport Commission on Sept. 4 voted to table consideration of a proposed special aviation operations agreement from an applicant seeking to operate a small flight school at Middleton Municipal Airport. The commission asked staff to run additional background checks, confirm the current minimum standards, and verify that the applicant’s liability insurance meets city requirements before the application is reconsidered.

Commission members said they want to ensure the school would meet facility, insurance and operational standards and resolve questions about the applicant’s prior relationship with the airport’s incumbent operator. Alden Jackson urged tabling after he described unanswered questions about standards and a prior personnel dispute involving the applicant; the commission adopted a motion to table and directed staff follow-up.

The applicant, introduced in staff materials as Russell Snirk, described himself during the meeting as a retired airline pilot with decades of instructional experience and said his plan is intentionally small and appointment-based. He said he would base two to three airplanes at the field and operate administratively from a home office, using hangar or tie-down space for aircraft storage and the on-site conference room only for brief ground briefings.

Staff told the commission the city’s minimum standards previously revised in 2019 govern who may operate at the airport and serve as the baseline for negotiated operating agreements. Airport manager Rich said the city’s insurance requirements reflect current market realities and that instructor and operator liability of about $1,000,000 (with the city named as co-insured) is the standard currently in use.

The motion to table, made by the chair and seconded by Commissioner Jackson, directed staff to: conduct a police background check on the applicant (to the extent the department can), hold a follow-up meeting among city representatives, the airport manager and the applicant to clarify operations, verify the most current minimum-standards document, and confirm that the liability insurance presented meets requirements. The motion carried by voice vote; commissioners recorded ayes and no opposition was announced.

Next steps: staff will assemble the requested documentation, coordinate the background check with the police department, and schedule a follow-up discussion with the applicant and airport manager. The commission will revisit the SASO once that information is provided.