Midland RC ModelersSuccess Story Al Klashak
This is the property near Midland, Michigan,
before development commenced. The
runway was situated to run east to west.
During the summer of 1997, our club—Midland Radio
Control Modelers—began hearing rumors that the
airfield we had leased for more than 25 years was being
considered for sale. Club members discussed the
possibility of purchasing the property, the total of which
was nearly 200 acres—much of it farmland, swamp, and woodland.
The 10 acres we had leased was not a choice location; it had a
hill at one end of the runway area. If an airplane came in below the
hill, the pilot would invariably lose sight of the model for a minute
or so, and many times the airplane would crash before it became
visible again.
Our worst fears were realized in the spring of 1998 when we
received notification from Dow Chemical Company that the
property was being put on the market, and it would guarantee that
we would have the balance of the year in which it would be sold to
arrange for a new site.
The property was sold in July 1998, and we started looking for
another site. A committee was formed to search all the available
land within a 10-mile radius of Midland and many potential sites
were identified, but we were still at ground zero after much debate
and negotiating. Fortunately the new property owner permitted us to
occupy the field for another year at the same rent we had been
paying Dow.
During the summer of 1998 we maintained continual contact
with representatives of Dow, which is the largest property owner in
our area, and we reviewed several sites. One choice site Dow really
wanted us to consider had enough space for two runways, a
potential water flying site, picnic areas, and a self-contained
campground, with power available. There was some timber and
brush which could easily be removed.
As we approached completion of negotiations for the site, the
only remaining obstacle was that the land was within the control
zones of Midland Bay City Saginaw (MBS) International Airport.
Upon further research and map reading, we learned that the center of
the potential site was only 2.7 miles from the end of one of the
service runways at MBS. After conferring with Dow, the site was
immediately withdrawn.
Another location was offered, but it was heavily wooded with
large timber; we would face stiff clearing costs before we could
even start building an airfield. We considered a fairly level site, but
it was located in another county and none of the potential financing
would be available from our local area.
We identified a property the City of Midland owned which
would provide a water flying site and a suitable runway close to
town, but many of the flight patterns were across the Chippewa
River and close to populated areas.
After waiting nearly a year for the city to take action on our
request and after it refused to consider transforming a completed
portion of a landfill to a model facility, we were coming to the end
of our rope and the year was nearing an end.
In the spring of 1999 Dow representatives suggested a property
west of the city which was approximately three miles from the town
center in an unpopulated area. The site was close to a nature center
and bordering on a hazardous-waste disposal site, but it was within a
floodplain area; when cleared to our needs, it would encompass
approximately 10 acres.
Our club membership was encouraged to look at the site; it met
their approval, so we entered negotiations with Dow to lease,
purchase, or accept the property as a donation. Since Dow still had
active services on part of the property, we finally agreed that we
This plaque was put up in the impound area at the flying field,
dedicating the site to the memory of Herbert Dow.
Looking east at the impound shelter, notice the safety fencing
and the barricades. This club is safety conscious!
An aerial photo provides a good view of the completed airfield.
Notice the parking and camping areas at the upper right.
At opening ceremonies were (L-R) AMA District VII VP Bill
Oberdieck, air-show coordinator Al Quick, Contest Director Dave
Schmelzer, club president Jerry Hanfield, senior club member
John Houvener.
Photos courtesy the author Graphic Design by Lydia Whitehead
could obtain the land on an open-ended lease for $500 per year.
On August 12, 1999, we had an airfield, but much remained to be
done so that the property would be usable in 2000. Prior to completing
the lease, we negotiated with the new owner of our previous field to
lease directly from him for an additional year, which took care of our
need through 1999 into 2000.
During our negotiations, with the knowledge that we could not
afford a lot of expense for development of a new field, the officers and
board decided to reincorporate and seek Internal Revenue Service
approval of 501(c)3 not-for-profit-corporation status. That way we
could approach Dow and the several foundations in the community
which could allow us to receive grants to obtain funds to assist with
field development.
We received final approval of the 501(c)3 status on April 2, 1999,
based on our extensive educational programs conducted in the
community and with educational institutions in our community.
Dow agreed to help develop the new field and hired a contractor to take
care of leveling and grading. Sweat equity put in by the club’s
membership was vital to removing trees, brush, and stumps from the
areas we would use for runways and parking areas, then grinding the
brush into chips with a chipper furnished by Dave Schmelzer, who
owns a rental-equipment company.
After laying out east-west and north-south runways, we learned that
we had space for eight self-contained camper parking spaces. There was
a generous area for parking for air shows and other activities.
Club members worked steadily through October removing firewood,
and the contractor leveled the site and prepared for seeding and
fertilizing. Through negotiations with a lawn and garden contractor—
Servinski Sod Service—we obtained seed and fertilizer at near cost.
For a low price, the owner of Allied Ready Mix Company agreed to
grade, furnish, and spread crushed concrete aggregate cement on the
roadways and parking areas for access to the runway area.
During our negotiations with Dow, it was mentioned that we would
need to approach local foundations and other businesses in a fundraising
effort to be able to get the field ready for use in 2000. Dow
asked what we thought we needed, and we advised the company of a
minimum figure. Dow agreed to extend us the funding in increments as
work was completed, in addition to funds the club had available.
Dow’s generous offer and the club members’ sweat equity permitted
us to complete safety fencing, seeding, do additional fertilizing, and
have a friendly electrician and Consumers Power Company supply
electrical service to the field.
We did not have to worry about water and sewage because we are
not permitted any underground services on the property. We purchased
two Porta-Johns, and water is furnished by members in special
containers for events at the field.
Since the club had arranged to rent the old field for another year, that
permitted us time to get the new grass runway well established and a
new 35 x 350-foot blacktop runway installed before the field opened in
September 2000. Dave Schmelzer made arrangements to have a shelter
and impound constructed at a minimal cost to the club: roughly $1,800.
January 2003 65
September 16, 2000, was the date selected
for the field dedication and the beginning of
our planned two-day air show, which was a
fitting inauguration considering the members’
hard work, contributions of local industries
and businesses, and Dow members’ fantastic
cooperation and participation.
The field was dedicated in honor of
Herbert H. Dow, who was one of our club’s
charter members, a former president of Dow
Chemical Company, and an active aviation
promoter in the community.
The field was designed and laid out in
strict alignment with AMA recommendations,
and other considerations had to be made, such
as acquiring a building permit for the shelter
and receiving approval from the Department
of Environmental Quality because of the
proximity of the floodplain and because part
of the property is located in a wetlands area
which has to be maintained.
As we were nearing completion of the
field, we received a grant from the Gerstacker
Foundation which enabled us to purchase new
field-maintenance equipment, and additional
grants are being sought from the Midland
Area Foundation and the Gerstacker
Foundation so we can build a storage facility
for maintenance equipment and bleachers for
spectators who attend events at the field.
As of this writing we have had two air
shows at the facility. Commencing in 2002,
our air-show event was extended to three
days. Pilots from across the US have
participated, with special presentations by
national Aerobatics champion Dave Von
Linsowe.
In the not-too-distant future, I expect that
the club will grow to a point where we will
sponsor competition events; however, we are
maintaining our educational status for school
children and the community to keep our notfor-
profit status in good standing.
We did not lose our previous field because of
noise or anything the members did or didn’t
do as tenants; however, it made club members
recognize the importance of being cognizant
of the fact that nothing is forever.
• Clubs should work toward being able to
purchase property of their own if possible, or
at least try to negotiate long-term leases.
• Clubs should initiate a savings program to
ensure funds for field needs.
• Clubs should be aware of local contributors
to field development, if the need for that
information arises.
• If club members are not inclined to
contribute a great deal of sweat equity,
development costs will be much higher.
• If a club purchases its own property, the
membership should be prepared to lobby
Karl Eckerle’s Aeronca Sedan was used to drop candy for the kids during the air show at the opening ceremonies.
From left to right, Don Zahm, Ronnie Zahm, and Jerry Hanfield seem pleased with their
new field. Hard work and attention to detail usually pays off!
66 M ODEL AVIATION
extensively for protective covenants to avoid
infringement of developers on their property.
• Clubs must have ongoing programs to keep
noise down and to cultivate good
relationships with neighbors adjacent to their
properties, regardless of whether clubs own
the land, lease, or have arrangements with the
owners.
• Infringement of neighbors is a reality no
matter where one flies, and it will always be a
reality unless a club can get a restriction
established by zoning. MA
Al Klashak
2601 Lambros Dr.
Midland MI 48642
