The Waukesha Aviation Club.
2525 Aviation Dr.
Waukesha, WI 53186
Waukesha County Airport / Crites Field
Part 1: The Beginning (1930–1933)
Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field and the Waukesha Aviation Club have been significant contributors to the diverse aviation history of southeastern Wisconsin.
In 1930, two locals, Jack Miller and Warren O’Brien, came up with the idea of forming a club for aviation enthusiasts. One year later, they formed the Waukesha Aviation Club, which remains active today.
Members of the club promoted interest in aviation and taught people to fly, but their main goal was to develop a permanent airport for the City of Waukesha and its residents. The club first rented land from the Badinger Farm, at the corner of Highway 30 and Pewaukee Road, which served as the city’s first airport.
The club faced challenges convincing the county board that an airport was viable. Early efforts failed, and the board twice rejected funding.
In 1933, Dean Crites moved from Honey Creek, Wisconsin, to Waukesha and joined the effort. That same year, the club hosted an air show featuring the famous air racer “Jimmy Haislip.” Dean personally took all 65 county board members on airplane rides to demonstrate the potential of aviation. The effort worked—the county board voted unanimously to fund construction of Waukesha County Airport at its current location.
Part 2: Building the Airport (1933–1945)
The original cost to construct the airport was estimated at $5,000, but much of the land was swamp that needed draining. It took more than two years and an additional $15,000 from President Roosevelt’s New Deal/WPA to make the site usable.
On August 18, 1935, more than 6,000 visitors paid 25 cents each to attend the airport’s dedication ceremony. Additional WPA funding of $38,000 helped construct the original terminal building, completed in 1938, which could accommodate 14 planes.
Aviation grew rapidly through the late 1930s. In 1937, Dale Crites joined his twin brother Dean, and together they opened a Piper Aircraft dealership at the airport. The Waukesha Aviation Club expanded membership, and in 1939, the first local young woman earned her wings. The first parachute school opened in 1940, adding to the airport’s growing list of services.
As war loomed, aviators feared that their planes would be taken by the government. When the U.S. entered World War II, the Waukesha Aviation Club became part of the Civil Air Patrol, shifting its focus from recreational flying to flight training for military service. The airport itself remained largely unchanged through the war years, serving as a vital local training ground.
Part 3: The Postwar Years and Crites Leadership (1945–1950s)
After World War II, aviation saw renewed growth across America, and Waukesha County was no exception. Returning servicemen and women, familiar with aircraft, sought new opportunities in flight.
At this time, Dale Crites managed the airport and operated Spring City Flying Service, while Dean Crites focused on aircraft sales and instruction. .....
Continued......
Spring City Flying Service provided training, maintenance, and charter services, helping hundreds of new pilots earn licenses. The Waukesha Aviation Club continued to support flight education, host air shows, and foster community engagement with aviation.The airport saw steady improvements—gravel and grass runways were maintained and extended, hangars were added, and the airport began offering mechanical repair and fueling services. By the late 1940s, it had become a central hub for general aviation in southeastern Wisconsin.
Through the 1950s and 1960s, the airport expanded. Paved runways, lighting systems, and radio navigation aids improved operations, while new hangars and fueling facilities supported business and private aviation. By the 1970s, Waukesha County Airport had become one of Wisconsin’s leading general aviation fields. In 1980, the Waukesha County Board voted unanimously to rename the facility Waukesha County Airport / Crites Field, honoring Dale and Dean Crites for their lifelong dedication to aviation in the county.
Part 4: Postwar Growth and Modernization (1946–1980)
Following World War II, aviation activity at Waukesha County Airport expanded rapidly. Veterans, recreational pilots, and local businesses all contributed to increased traffic.
Dale Crites managed the airport and operated Spring City Flying Service, assisted by his wife Mary, who managed all accounting and customer billing. Together they provided reliable, professional operations that built the airport’s reputation.
Spring City Flying Service offered flight training, charter flights, aircraft sales, and maintenance. Dale trained hundreds of pilots known for their precision and safety. The Waukesha Aviation Club stayed active, hosting open houses and air shows and providing ground school programs for new aviators.
Part 5: Modern Era — Expansion, Upgrades, and Community Role (1980–Present)
In 1980, the Waukesha County Board officially renamed the facility Waukesha County Airport / Crites Field, recognizing the contributions of Dale and Dean Crites.
The airport entered a period of modernization and growth. In 1993, it was annexed into the City of Waukesha, gaining full-time emergency protection and city infrastructure. A new 11,000-square-foot terminal opened in 1997, improving amenities for pilots and visitors.
This new location sat across from the first grass runway, near what had been the home of Dale and Mary Crites. Several homes along the east side of the road were removed to make way for a safety berm—still visible today. Plans for a visitors’ pavilion near this site continue to honor those early contributions.
From the 2000s through the 2020s, multiple runway and taxiway upgrades were completed with state and federal support, improving safety and capacity. Between 2015 and 2025, the airport underwent major infrastructure improvements, including reconstruction of both runways, expanded terminal ramps, and a new perimeter road connecting hangar areas. The ongoing Runway Safety Area Project, scheduled through 2026, will further enhance safety and efficiency.
Today, Crites Field handles more than 60,000 flight operations each year, ranking among the top 4% of U.S. general aviation airports. It supports corporate, training, medical, and recreational flights and generates tens of millions in local economic impact.
The Waukesha Aviation Club continues to be an essential partner, hosting fly-ins, youth programs, and air shows, including Young Eagle flights for aspiring pilots. Club members preserve historic materials, mentor students, and honor the vision first set in 1930—to keep the spirit of aviation alive in Waukesha County.
~Barbara Crites 2025
