Aviation View | April 2021

56 AVIATION VIEW APRIL 2021 La Crosse REGIONAL AIRPORT I n his book Life on the Mississippi, Mark Twain mentioned one of the two towering 500-foot bluffs, Granddad Bluff, that sets the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin apart from the relatively flat prairie land surrounding it. Lying at the far west of the state and situated on the mighty Mississippi River, La Crosse is known not only for its beauty but also as a major hub for industry. “La Crosse is a pretty unique place,” boasts Ian Turner, La Crosse Regional Airport Director, who was thrilled when he and his family decided to move to the area. “A lot is happening here, including a thriving and robust downtown, which is unique these days. It also has so many festivals and celebrations. We have Riverfest and we have the Rotary Christmas Lights – a holiday lighting display which attracts tens of thousands of people every year. But the biggest one is Oktoberfest here in La Crosse, which is the largest in the Midwest.” Bringing in business