District VII — Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Tim Jesky — Vice President
In reflecting on my first year as District VII vice president, I can’t say enough about the hospitality, kindness, and words of encouragement I’ve received from people as I traveled across the district. I’m humbled and honored to have had the privilege to serve in this position.
Although our enthusiasm for things that fly was what first brought us to aeromodeling, I’m convinced that the camaraderie we share and the friendships we make are the glue that holds us all together.
Because they are just around the corner, I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season. And if you get that special gift you were hoping for, so much the better. Again, thank you for a great year.
The following comes to you from Ed McIntosh of the Benzie Area Radio Controllers (BARC). I had the pleasure of attending this event this past summer at Ed’s invitation and enjoyed a day of beautiful weather and great flying. The club is situated in the Grand Traverse Bay–Crystal Lake area of Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula. If you find yourself in that part of the district next year, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better time or more beautiful setting. I’ll let Ed tell you more about it.
Benzie Area Radio Control Club (BARC) — 15th Annual Air Show
The Benzie Area Radio Control Club (BARC) held its 15th Annual Air Show at the airport in Thompsonville, Michigan, on August 25. I was invited to attend and was impressed with the large turnout of AMA pilots from many parts of Michigan. I had a chance to meet many of them as the day progressed, and the exchange of comments was an added bonus for the trip.
BARC’s Air Show is becoming more popular every year. The club again established a new record turnout; more than 1,000 spectators enjoyed the show. BARC members put on this annual show as a fundraiser for the operation of the airport, and in turn they enjoy the use of those grounds throughout the season as their home field. They also host a major fun-fly at the same location each spring.
The airport sports a new 2,900-foot blacktop runway, which is a great draw for visiting pilots, especially those with jet-powered aircraft. The venue is wide open with trees set well back, and parking, both for pilots and guests, is easily accommodated.
Because of the enormous amount of land available, the air show is actually two shows—one for fixed-wing models and one for helicopters. Each group enjoys its own airspace, pits, and parking. Spectators can easily move from one show to another.
The event was well organized and run by a 14-member event management team headed by BARC CD Edward McIntosh and Fred Stafford, BARC president. I witnessed several novel show-control procedures, which enhanced the safety of the program and provided for easy enjoyment by the guest pilots. They employed an “orange paddle” system at the flightline, raised by the spotter when his or her pilot is about to take off or land the aircraft. This is a great visual communication idea for others with airplanes in the air.
BARC maintains a computerized database for all guest pilots, making show registration quick and easy. The registration desk also provides a pre-made identification badge for each pilot, enhancing identification and socializing of fliers among themselves because they come from many parts of the state and some are first-time visitors. BARC provides guest pilots with a free lunch.
Everyone had a great time with good weather and a well-prepped field.
Highlights:
- More than 1,000 spectators in attendance
- Fundraiser supporting airport operations
- New 2,900-foot blacktop runway
- Separate fixed-wing and helicopter shows with dedicated airspace
- Orange-paddle show-control system for enhanced safety
- Computerized guest-pilot database and pre-made ID badges
- Free lunch for guest pilots
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
