Michigan Aviation Association announces Michigan Air Tour 2009

80th Anniversary of the original 1929 tour.


Waterford, MI, September 4, 2009 -- The Michigan Aviation Association, a not for profit 501©3 corporation, today announced the flight plan for the Michigan Air Tour 2009, a celebration of aviation in Michigan.  Beginning on the morning of September 11th and concluding the afternoon of September 13th, MAT '09 will visit Oakland County International, Charlotte, Ionia, Kalamazoo International, Owosso, Big Rapids, Oscoda and Lansing Capital City International Airports.

Approximately 65 crew and passengers in 32 aircraft ranging from vintage single engine to modern light twins will participate on the tour.  Overnight stops will be in Kalamazoo and Oscoda with lunch stops in Ionia and Big Rapids.  At each stop along the way, a presentation is made. The presentation outlines not only the economic importance of each airport to its community; but also highlights what each airport has to offer in the way of public services, educational opportunities, and assistance to the community in times of hardship as sometimes during a national disaster the only way into a community is by air.  The Michigan Air Tour also uses this opportunity to help educate the public on aviation safety.

The Public and media are invited to come greet the tour at the stops along the route as well as meet the flight crews, see the aircraft and join in the celebration.

Michigan Air Tour 2009 is the 80th Anniversary of the original 1929 Air Tour and is the 30th consecutive reenactment by the MAA which began in 1979 with the 50th Anniversary of the tour.  The first Michigan Air Tour consisted of 42 pilots who flew to 32 cities from June 10-16, 1929.  Concurrently, a similar tour was held in the Upper Peninsula.  At that time, there were no aviation charts (maps) by which to navigate. Pilots had to find their way to airfields that were not even depicted on road maps!  This initial Air Tour began at what was then the Pontiac Municipal Airport (now Oakland County International Airport).

The Michigan Air Tour continues in the tradition of the original 1929 Air Tour as a way to demonstrate to communities the economic importance of their airports.  Each year a different route is planned and statistics are gathered from the State of Michigan as to how much money each airport on the tour contributes to their community.  Today, general aviation (all forms of aviation that are not airline or military) accounts for nearly $10 billion annually of Michigan’s economy.  This would not be possible without a network of airports that support general aviation.  This network conservatively returns $2 to the community for every $1 invested.

The Michigan Aviation Association was formed to operate exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, including specifically, to promote and advance aviation, aviation education and safety among its members and the general public throughout the State of Michigan.

The Michigan Aviation Association also contributes to the Michigan Aviation Education Foundation (MAEF).  The MAEF provides scholarships for students of aviation studies, and is an advocate for pilots, aircraft owners and airports, throughout the state of Michigan.