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City Engineering Department
2800 Airport Rd. Midland, MI 48642 Phone:989-835-3231 Email: bmcmanus@midland-mi.org
Jack Barstow Municipal Airport
 Jack Barstow Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport
located in the northwest area of Midland adjacent to the Midland
County Fairgrounds and the City Forest. The airport's airfield
encompasses over 500 acres and serves the needs of 65 based pilots,
many of whom fly for recreation and business.
The airport has two runways to accommodate various wind conditions
in flight and various sizes of small aircraft. The airport handles
about 20,000 operations (take-offs and landings) each year, and
approximately 40 aircraft hangars can be found on site.
A 2,100-square-foot terminal
building that opened in summer 2005 is centrally located
within the airfield at the end of Barstow Drive. Pilots and
visitors alike can enjoy the use of the new terminal building,
which includes a pilot's lounge for tired travelers, a conference
room for meetings, and an aviation weather service to assist
pilots with flight planning.
Quick Facts about the Airport
Leasing Hangar Space: Call 989-835-3231 to review
available hangar locations and building sites at the airport.
How It's Funded: The Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) and State of Michigan provides the
majority of funding for capitol improvements at the airport.
On typical projects, the City of Midland's share is only 2.5 percent
of the total cost. Proceeds from aircraft hangar
rental and land lease rentals also help fund operations, and aircraft fuel sales make up a
small amount of revenue.
Flying Lessons: Contact the airport at 989-835-3231.
advises the Midland City Council on user charges and other aviation
costs affecting the use and development of the airport. The commission also
advises the City Council on airport development plans including
runways, hangars, building construction and other improvements.
On-Demand Video of Aviation Advisory Commission meetings can be
accessed using the link at left.
Aviation Camp:
Each summer, teens have the chance to learn about the wonderful world of flying through the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Aviation Camp
at Barstow Airport. This five-day day camp is open to teens entering 9th-12th grades in the fall, and offers a variety of information
on aviation history, occupations in aviation, airports, aircraft, aeronautics, weather, and much more.
Local aircraft builders invite campers to their hangars to view the variety of unique airplanes based at Barstow Airport. The students also visit MBS International Airport to get a first-hand look at the control tower, fire barn, and corporate hangars. Campers get lots of hands-on experience including planning a cross-country flight.
Classes are held at the Ormond Barstow Educational Center at Barstow Airport. Classes are taught by volunteer pilots, flight instructors, and special speakers from a variety of aviation fields who introduce young people to the aviation/aerospace world.
For more information, visit www.eaa1093.org, e-mail
aviationcamp@barstowairport.com, or call 989-615-1103.
Automated Weather Observation System:
Operational as of April 2009, AWOS has put Midland on the National
Weather Service map. This data-gathering system allows pilots to get
up-to-the-minute data about the weather in mid-Michigan, and helps
ensure safe takeoffs and landings. The new system gauges information
such as wind speeds and direction, temperatures, and even rainfall
in the area. The system is certified through the Federal Aviation
Administration.
To view this system on the worldwide
web, click here:
AWOS.
More Information: For additional information about
Aviation Airport Commission-related items or any other airport-related questions, contact City Engineer Brian McManus (bmcmanus@midland-mi.org) in the Engineering Department at 989-837-3348.
A Look Back at the Airport's History
The Jack Barstow Municipal Airport has
a rich history in Midland. It was named for John “Jack” Barstow, a
Midland-based pilot who learned about aviation from Orville Wright
and taught friend Charles Lindberg some helpful techniques for
flying gliders.
Tragically, Mr. Barstow
(at right, in early 1930s) died in a plane crash in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1935 at the
young age of 29. To pay tribute to Mr. Barstow’s many contributions to aviation in
mid-Michigan, the former Midland Airport was renamed Jack Barstow
Municipal Airport shortly following his death.
Today, Jack Barstow’s spirit of
exploration and innovation continues at Barstow Airport. A local
chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is located
at Barstow. The EAA is committed to aviation education,
preservation and research. Through the EAA’s Young Eagles program,
aviation camps are held annually at the airport to educate youth.
In addition, many Barstow-based pilots
are actively involved in the Wings of Mercy program. Through this
relatively new program, air transportation is given free of charge to
those who need specialized medical care, but cannot afford trips to
far-off medical institutions. Since 1996 - when the Wings of Mercy
Eastern Michigan chapter was formed - nearly 700 missions have been
flown from the tri cities alone. While charitable contributions are accepted and available to cover the fuel for these trips, many pilots fund the
trips out of their own pockets.
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