ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Wednesday, about 30 Hannahville Indian School students took a field trip to the Delta County Airport.
“Because they’re a younger group of students—fourth and fifth-graders mostly—they may have not had an opportunity to visit an airport previously or maybe a need to visit an airport,” said Delta County Airport Manager Robert Ranstadler. “We’re showing them what the whole airport experience is about.”
Students toured the inside and outside of the airport as they learned about daily operations from the staff, went through security, and even got an up-close look at some private aircraft.
“I want them to get a good idea of what’s happening behind the scenes, what it takes to really operate an airport, and—most importantly—all of the people that are involved, from the luggage handlers and ramp agents at SkyWest to our security agents in the TSA,” said Ranstadler. “It’s not only going to help them get a better idea of how commercial aviation works and the big jets, but also how smaller, civil, and general aviation work as well.”
Ranstadler hopes the tour inspires some future aviation industry professionals.
“Right now, the aviation industry is in need of young people getting in it,” he said. “We’re always trying to ignite that interest in the next generation of aviation enthusiasts.”
He says the need is especially great for airports in more rural areas like Delta County.
“We have a really great staff here, but as people tend to age and approach retirement, things change and people move on,” said Ranstadler. “We’re always going to be looking for qualified candidates to take the reins and lead us into the future at the airport.”
Ranstadler says the airport is looking for new ways to increase its visibility in the community, especially in the form of outreach to enthusiastic students like the ones from Hannahville.
“I’d like the airport to be more than simply a place where people come to depart or arrive,” he said. “I’d like the airport to be more of a robust location where the entire county and everyone can benefit from it.”
Each student left the field trip with a goodie bag and more knowledge about the Delta County Airport.
