April: Council names new manager for city airport

TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council in April named Fort Laramie resident Mike Salyer to the post of Municipal Airport manager following a months-long search.
The council began its search for a new manager in December 2016, shortly after long-time Torrington airport manager Jerry Wright passed away.
Unlike airports in bigger cities, Torrington doesn’t have much in the way of control tower personnel, grounds crews, fueling attendants, emergency personnel or compliance officers, all of those duties fall on the shoulders of the airport manager, or his part-time assistant manager. Some of those duties, such as handling aviation fuel, require certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. They’ve also been known to run to town and pick up sandwiches or burgers for a hungry pilot and passengers, who are making a quick stop for fuel.

Salyer, who is originally from Virginia, and his family moved to Fort Laramie when he retired after 28 years as commercial pilot.
As the new airport manager, Salyer sees his job as conducting business as usual; oversee day-to-day airport operation, ensure FAA compliance and promote safety. But he is hoping to take his job one step further than “business as usual.”
“I would like to find opportunities in aviation to help promote economic growth in the community,” Salyer said. “It has been shown that communities without airports are not as economically strong as those that do.
“I hope to look into the possibility of bringing a flight taxi and charter services to the community. And increase our refueling traffic for those flying through the area.”