Howard Nixon Memorial Airport (50G) in Chesaning, Michigan, is a popular airfield for many in central Michigan.
It’s just a half mile from town, and camping is permitted. The airfield provides access to the nearby Shiawassee River, and hosts its popular ice cream Tuesdays in the summer season.
“Chesaning is a special airstrip to those living in Michigan,” said General Grant, the Michigan liaison to the Recreational Aviation Foundation. “Its central location and warm hospitality draws everyone in.”
But Grant recently became aware that Chesaning was under threat because of tree growth in the approaches to both runways 9/27 and 18/36.
He reports his request for help was abundantly answered. More than 20 RAF and Chesaning Sportplane Association volunteers showed up to remove over 40 trees that were obstructing approaches or threatened to become a future safety issue, he said.
“Additionally, a huge thank you to arborist Nick Archer of One Call Tree Service,” Grant said. “He brought in heavy equipment and his skills to tackle the large trees that were close to utility services,” a task best completed by a professional, he noted.
Archer also removed large debris piles and chipped and removed branches, scrap, and cull timber, according to Grant.
For more information: TheRAF.org, VillageOfChesaning.org
Trees grow so slow, it’s hard to notice. This is a universal problem at most airports. It’s best to perform regular maintenance on area underlying the runway approach. Mow the area at least annually so the trees don’t grow. The lateral limits need to be marked so workers know where the approach is, it’s not simply “Out There, Some Where.”
I soloed there one January afternoon in a 1947 TaylorCraft. Jerry Zerbe was my flight instructor. That was in the 90’s. I remember it like it happened this morning.