Michigan airport comments

I landed here back in July of 2002. Nice little airport. Too bad it got turned into houses.

From 31 May to 1 June, the Red Bull Air Race is coming to Windsor and Detroit. It will take place along the Detroit River between the two cities, and there will be viewing stands on both the Canadian and U.S. sides of the river.

http://www.redbullairrace.com/

This was originally called the Tri Cities Airport, but, unusually, it has taken its FAA and IATA code "MBS" (the first letter of each of the cities) right into its official name.

For years Metro Airport was the poster boy for dark and dank terminals. It was a truly disgusting airport.

Today, it is state-of-the-art in every way. I love flying through here.

Refueled here on the way to Oshkosh. They had free hotdogs, which I think is why my fellow club members chose it.

Ended up here when weathered out by a huge line of thunderstorms on a flight home from Oshkosh. Had dinner in a Hooters that was an easy walk (for somebody who just spent a week walking around Oshkosh) from the airport. Ate dinner with two Canadians who arrived VFR in a Grumman Tiger.

South Haven was my home base from April 2004 until December 2005. Great airport, one of those places where the locals cook out every Saturday during the summer. Self serve fuel prices are generally competitive for the region.

Tips for transient pilots:

The wind off of Lake Michigan is often a direct crosswind for traffic on the pavement (4-22), but coming right down the grass runway (14-32). Despite this, we've noticed a lot of transient pilots shun the grass, sometimes accepting brutal crosswinds. The grass is well maintained and used regularly by the locals. During the warmer months, there are a pair of Piper Pawnee crop dusters operating at South Haven that do not broadcast on the radio. They are very good at working among the rest of the GA traffic, but it's good to be aware of them. Transient pilots are most likely to be interested in the new ramp east of the intersection of the two runways - this is where the fuel and terminal building are located. The ramp at the south end of the field is where the maintenance shop is located.

My favorite food stop while living in Michigan. Usually lots of transient aircraft on the ramp. You can watch arrivals from the restaurant which sits near the base of the control tower.

Not much going on here. But I had my first light aircraft flight here in a Citabria. A year later, I did my first solo here in a Cessna 150. Nice long runway, good place to practice (there's never anyone around).

US Customs officers will drive over from the bridge to clear you. Even on a Sunday, only 1 hour notice required!

A nice convenient little airport to clear US Customs if you are heading West from Southern Ontario.