WAUSAU – Dozens of municipal airports are in communities throughout Wisconsin. Some have a simple grass runway and a single hangar, while others have more sophisticated landing spaces and services. Regardless of size, each airport plays a crucial role in a community’s economic health, for a variety of reasons.

At 10 a.m. March 1, “Route 51” host Shereen Siewert welcomes John Chmiel, a pilot and flight instructor who manages the Wausau Downtown Airport, to discuss the impact of municipal airports and the ways they benefit local communities.

“Route 51” is heard Fridays at 10 a.m. on The Ideas Network stations 101.3 & 91.9/Wausau, AM 930/Auburndale-Stevens Point, 99.1/Stevens Point, 100.9/Marshfield, 90.3/Park Falls, 89.1/Adams-Wisconsin Rapids, 89.9/Rhinelander-Eagle River, 88.3/Menomonie-Eau Claire and 88.7/River Falls and live streamed at wrfw887.com/listen-live.html. It is re-broadcast Fridays at 7 p.m. on 90.9/Wausau. Program archives are available at wpr.org/route51.