Harrison Area Pilots Association - Fly Harrison

Clare County Cleaver

Excerpt and photo by DIANNE ALWARD-BIERY  Cleaver Senior Staff Writer

October 20, 2025

  The crew that enabled the successful Fall-Fly-In gather for a group photo prior to tackling the work of tear-down and cleanup at the end of the event – all still smiling. They are, from left, Mark Baugher, Pat Adams, Bob Ash, Dilan Tessanne, Karma Keblbeck, Carl Lounsbury, Emerson Corder, John Parrish, Stan Luke, Vincent Ambrozaitis, Tom Stier and Gabe Ambrozaitis. 

HARRISON – The Oct. 11 Fall Color Tour Fly-In at Clare County Airport 80D saw roughly double the aircraft participating as were onsite for the spring event. Mother Nature’s gift of less-than-perfect autumn color tour weather didn’t stop pilots from participating, nor did it dissuade local visitors from coming out to view and enjoy the aircraft and speak with the pilots. Volunteers shuttled attendees from the parking area at the south end of the airport over the event, where they could avail themselves of the free fancy-to-order coffee and doughnut holes provided by Biggby Coffee and Up North Coffee, as well as receiving free beverage certificates courtesy of Sunrise.

Also available were Clare County Airport 80D T-shirts that sported the airport’s new logo and noting its founding in 1931.

The clouds didn’t lift much to brighten the day, but smiles all around showed the upbeat attitude and sense of fun the event conveyed. Kids were running and flying their free balsa planes, as well as checking out the MMR Ambulance and Harrison Community Fire Department vehicles onsite.

 In addition to the local Harrison Pilots Association members’ aircraft, planes came from Clare, St. Johns, Grand Haven, Standish/Pinconning and Alma. Additionally, two other visitors from Fenton literally dropped in with their helicopter. All told, there were 10 planes and one helicopter participating on the day. Included among them were experimental aircraft, and homebuilt planes.

All the pilots onsite were happy to field questions about their aircraft, and happy to let visitors have a seat onboard, allowing them a novel, informative experience.

It actually got a bit busy at times, with a plane taxiing for takeoff while another plane [including the helicopter] approached for landing. All those situations were handled expertly by Fly-In staff to ensure safety for all parties.

While the weather may not have met all hopes, the day was certainly a successful endeavor, and thoughts of planning for next year have already begun.

© Clare County Cleaver