The grandeur of the Grassroots Fly-In

The adaptation of a popular quotation aptly conveys the feeling invoked by participating in the annual Grassroots gathering: “For once you have experienced the grandeur of the Grassroots Fly-In, you will walk the earth with glorious memories, for there you have been, and there you long to return.”

Brodhead Airport (C37) in Wisconsin is “A Home for Grassroots Aviation” in every sense. These lovely, well-cared-for grounds are home to the Midwest Antique Airplane Club’s (MAAC) private, members-only Grassroots Fly-In, which is held annually the weekend after Labor Day.

There was a stellar showing of aircraft at the 2024 fly-in, with some of the more unusual types including a Buhl Bull Pup, Aeronca C-3, CallAir A-2, Rearwin Sportster, Culver Cadet, and Baby Ace … and the list ascends upward, for there were 217 aircraft flying from the field, which included 132 different types.

Wandering through the grassy tie-down areas, one was surrounded by a delightful kaleidoscope of airplane makes and models. That provided an impromptu challenge of identifying the types of aircraft and engines by sight and sound.

Listen! Is that a Kinner clattering away? And that other engine sounds like a 40-hp Continental.

Look! Is that a Piaggio Royal Gull? And there’s a Monocoupe, a Funk, and a freshly restored Cabin Waco YKS-7 taxiing out for a flight.

Wandering the grounds also gave me a chance to talk to some of those who attended the fly-in.

Chipmunk

Victor Stottlemyer of Waukesha, Wisconsin, has owned his de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk (N894WP) for 30 years.

“It’s just cute as a bug and a real pleasure to fly,” he says. “After you fly a Chipmunk a little bit, you get to really liking them, so you spread the word. Now there are two other Chipmunks at Waukesha — they tend to propagate.”

“I try to come to Brodhead at least every couple of years,” he continues. “Everybody is super friendly and you meet very interesting people here, who have a vast amount of knowledge and a real love of flying.”

Tiger Moth

Though there is far more to his story, suffice it to say that Tom Peterson of Poplar Grove, Illinois, bought his 1939 de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth (N82MK) from Cathay Pacific Captain Karl Young in Australia, and had it shipped to Hawthorne, California, where mechanic Ron Jackson helped Tom reassemble it in Ed Clark’s hangar. Then Tom had the joy of flying N82MK home.

“Karl was a great man with sparkling blue eyes, and when he opened the hangar door, I just ran my hands along the Tiger Moth — there was something about the tactile touch of the airplane,” Tom says. “It has a 130-hp engine, and a fuel capacity of 28.8 gallons plus a reserve tank of 13 gallons. As soon as the prop stops turning, people come up and want to know about this airplane. I like coming to Brodhead — primarily for the people, but also for the variety of airplanes.”

Taylorcraft

Ben Gultch of Hartford, Wisconsin, just bought his 1941 Taylorcraft BC12-65 (N33951) this past June, and has been enjoying it immensely.

“I usually come every year to Brodhead,” he says. “My father got me started with it. I enjoy the community and seeing a lot of familiar faces here.”

“I can just hang out with my airplane and meet a bunch of helpful people who volunteer information or say they have extra parts if I need them, which I certainly appreciate.”

The Taylorcraft isn’t Ben’s first airplane. He used to have an Aeronca Champ.

“But when I was flying with my other friends, I was always the slow one. Then my dad and I stumbled upon this Taylorcraft, and he had owned one when he was younger. He told me I’d love a Taylorcraft, and he was right! It’s a lot of fun,” Ben says.

“Jim Lange was the previous owner and he did a full restoration of it,” he continues. “He had Clifford Hatz do the cover and paint for him. I think he finished the restoration around 2008 and flew it to Oshkosh where he won an award with it in 2009. Then it sat until we got it, and I’ve put around 25 hours on it so far.”

Tailwind

Dave Retka is based at Fleming Field (KSGS) at South Saint Paul, Minnesota, and flew his Tailwind W-8 (N41BR) to Brodhead.

“This Tailwind was finished in 1983 by Tony Otto, and I’ve owned it about four years. I love it — it cruises at 150 mph, and has a 125-hp Continental. It’s a little bit of a heavy engine for a Tailwind, but it’s nice and not too thirsty.”

Dave is no stranger to Brodhead. When he was building a Pietenpol he went to the Pietenpol Fly-In a few times.

“I’ve come to this Grassroots Fly-In three years in a row and I like it,” he says. “I was just thinking, as I was washing the morning dew off the airplane, that Oshkosh is great, but you can’t see old airplanes flying right over the top of you like you can here, and that’s kind of cool. Yesterday evening, there were several Pietenpols flying in formation, and you don’t see that very often. I just like old airplanes!”

Vagabond

N4430H, a 1948 Piper PA-15 Vagabond, has become a family heirloom — it’s been in the Kromer family since the mid-1960s, and will likely stay in the family for years to come.

“When it was my father’s, I remember lying down in the baggage compartment when we flew to my grandmother’s farm in southern Illinois,” says Jack Kromer. “As soon as I could see over the dash, my father started teaching me to fly. After my father passed away, my fiancé bought it for me for my engagement present. I flew it for several years until my brother, Jeff, retired from the Air Force and went back to Rock Valley Aviation School. He started working on the engine as a project, and then decided to refurbish the whole airplane while the engine was off.”

Jack is based at Savanna, Illinois, right along the Mississippi River, and has been going to the Grassroots Fly-In virtually all his life.

“Jeff and I used to come up here with my father when we were little, and later I’d drive in with my two little boys. They’re all grown now, and in fact, we’re looking at purchasing another Vagabond.”

“I can’t say enough good things about the Vagabond,” he continues. “When I try to encourage other pilots to get an airplane, I say ‘the simpler, the better!’ ”

Pober Junior Ace

Jeff Kromer is based at Savanna, Illinois, and was all smiles with N6676P, his Pober Junior Ace.

“I built everything from plans except the engine, propeller, and wheels. Time-wise, the project spanned 15 years, but I was in the Air Force at the time and I moved it six times and stored it several times while I was overseas,” he says. “So my dedicated building time is probably five to seven years.”

“I did the engine turning on the cowling, and one secret to that is, once you start, you can’t stop!” he continues. “This is a Franklin 235 cubic inch, 118-hp engine, and I had to modify the cowling because the carburetor and oil pan hangs down low and it just has a weird shape to it. This airplane is just what I wanted — open cockpit, side-by-side seating, and a taildragger. Best of all, it flies delightfully!”

Kelch Aviation Museum

This story just wouldn’t be complete without a round of applause for the Kelch Aviation Museum supporters and volunteers. The museum, which has become an integral facet of the Grassroots Fly-In, was completed in three phases: The Bill & Sue Knight Memorial Vintage Aircraft & Auto Hangar; the Kent Joranlien Memorial Fellowship Hall; and the Wagner Welcome Atrium.

With her characteristic vibrant, contagious energy, Ami Eckard-Lee, the museum’s creative development director, shared her perspectives of the non-profit museum: “I love vintage aviation because you can see it, and hear it, and fly it! It’s a wonderfully fun and overwhelming task to create all of the displays that need to be weatherproofed and mobile, because it’s an active hangar with 14 flyable airplanes, and it needs to be a safe and accessible environment for visitors. We cater not only to those familiar with vintage aviation, but also to the demographic that doesn’t know about airplanes.”

Another nice aspect of the Grassroots Fly-In is the quaint, nearby town of Brodhead, where visitors can enjoy a brochure-guided walking tour of historical buildings dating back to 1861. Murals enhance several of the buildings, one of which features local antique aviation. (For more information: BrodheadHistory.org)

Those who attend this annual fly-in can easily see that the Midwest Antique Airplane Club successfully fulfills its mission of promoting “all aspects of preservation, restoration, and the flying of antique and classic aircraft.”

Notably, participants are ever-appreciative of Hawk-Aire, owner of Brodhead Airport, and EAA Chapter 431 volunteers. If you want to experience a thriving, quintessential grassroots passion for aviation, join MAAC and come to the Grassroots Fly-In.

More Photos From The Grassroots Fly-In