PILOTS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF NORTH FOX ISLAND’S REOPENING
Abandoned, overgrown North Fox Island airstrip lay for decades on an uninhabited 820-acre island owned by the State of Michigan, just 24 nm northwest of Charlevoix. In 2012, former RAF Michigan Liaison Brad Frederick recognized that it could become “A spectacular recreational aviation destination.”
He envisioned airplanes and tents lining the mixed hardwood forest edge, and campfire smoke rising among a circle of campers; hikers exploring the pristine shore of Lake Michigan. He set out to make contacts and friends to reopen the turf runway. Motivated volunteers from the RAF and Friends of North Fox Island stepped up. He also obtained the cooperation of Michigan Dep’t of Aeronautics, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and after years of planning, and many hours of meetings, in 2015 the DNR authorized the RAF to bring the runway to a safe condition. For the past ten years, volunteers have flown in and worked on maintenance and camping improvements.
This October 3-5, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the reopening of North Fox Island, (6Y3), RAF Michigan Liaison General Grant organized a fly-in, including special delicacies like Michigan Liaison Tanmoy Ganguly’s famous kabobs. “A short thunderstorm on Friday created ambiance – thunder and light rain to fall asleep to,” Grant said.
Submitted October 15, 2025