TRAVERSE CITY — Missing the planes you used to see flying above the fields near Blain’s Farm and Fleet?
Look no further. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20, the Traverse Area Model Pilot Society (T.R.A.M.P.S.) will hold their annual airshow. Taking place at their now-primary location at the TRAMPS Aerodome at 8558 Youker Rd, just off the Interlochen airport south of Traverse City, the donation-based-entry show is to feature as many as 35 pilots, offer a concessions table, and feature a candy drop for the children attending.
Kim Couturier, media contact for the organization, is among many others who found out about the club through seeing them streaking through the skies.
“I was driving home from work one night and came across it. I pulled in and watched for a little while,” he said.
Forty years later, he’s still interested, alongside nearly eighty other members who range from 12 years old to 84.
T.R.A.M.P.S. is AMA certified, even recognized with Gold Club Leader status. They hold regular community events such as picnics, dawn patrol, and free, open-to-the-public training programs that take place every Tuesday night—complete with access to equipment, trained instructors, and buddy-boxes that ensure instructors can keep the planes afloat in case of a student error.
While Couturier started on an AM radio transmitter, the technology advances since he started has significantly changed what flying looks like for himself, as well as the rest of the club.
“The transmitter that I have right now will handle up to 16 channels,” he said. “I’m flying jet powered models that can go 200 plus miles an hour.”
Many of Couturier’s companions in the club will be showing their tricks with helicopters, drone models, and model planes of various shapes and sizes, from warbird models with intricate (and accurate) proportions to the foam models used to train new flyers.
The event itself is a benefit for local nonprofits, with any and all donations going to local causes. In recent years, T.R.A.M.P.S. has donated upward of $5,000 to nonprofits such as Women’s Resource Center, 22 to None, and other civic resources that positively impact the community.
Given their home base is now permanently in Benzie County, president Richard Blaum and treasurer Dan McLaren indicated it would likely be a cause related to that county.
“We all help each other out. We all pass planes around at half price — you’d be surprised how many planes get shuffled around,” he said, going on to mention that with the technology changes, hand-me-down controllers have gotten passed as well, especially with older generation members who have yet to experiment with the new models.
“If you don’t have a training facility to help the kids get into it, they can’t get into it … most clubs are declining. We keep gaining a couple where most clubs are declining in this field,” Blaum said.
The location centralization as well has shown to be powerful for the group. While they routinely had activity at both their site off of US-131, as well as their current full-time location, several members remarked it was nice to be able to see all of the other members, rather than just the same smaller group.
For those interested in attending the show, bring a lawn chair and check out their website at www.traversemodelpilots.com for more information about the club. To keep up with the club, they can also be found on Facebook at Traverse Area Model Pilot Society.