This was the third year for the Yooper Looper aerobatic contest at the Marquette/Sawyer Regional Airport in the Upper Peninsula (UP) Michigan. "Marquette is not as far away as you may think, see the "Distance to Contest" picture below. Chicago is 265nm and Minneapolis is 260nm away.
"It's a beautiful area to enjoy from the air" said contest director Roger Bentlage in the IAC's contest listing for the 2024 Yooper Looper contest held in August of 2024 hosted by IAC chapter 134.
(Roger flying his Pitts S-2 over the area surrounding the contest site.)
In their chapter newsletter, IAC chapter 88 president Hugo Ritzenthaler considered the contest the "main event" in August for the Mid-America region. "Great weather, UP hospitality and a very accommodating airport attracted 14 competitors and many volunteers."
"It turned out to be a 5-category event with competitors from MI, OH, IL, WI, IA, SD, MO and VA attending. Chapter 88 was well represented: Wayne Buescher (Chief Judge), Tim Stackhouse (Judge), Julian Campillo (competitor – Sportsman) and I (competitor- Unlimited and Judge)", said Hugo.
With beautiful blue skies to start the competition off on Saturday, August 3, 2024 the contest got off to a great start with a large group of Sportsman pilots - 10 to be exact! The top three competitors made up of Chris Lidel (Pitts s-2B), Trevor Smith (Extra NG) and Bruce Shipp (Christen Eagle) finished in first, second and third respectively. Justin Miller (Pitts S-1-11B) disrupted the trio once when he placed third in the Freestyle flight.
Erik Ledet (Pitts S-1S) flew unchallenged in the Primary category as did David Taylor (Giles 200) in Advanced. Aaron McCartan (XtremeAir)and Hugo Ritzenthaler (Pitts S-1E) battled it out with Aaron coming out in first place.
The airport at Marquette has a thriving aviation community has been extremely supportive of the aerobatic activity. "Our community is ready with free hangar, discounted fuel, dealer loaner cars, and an extremely corroborative tower and airport management," said Roger. "We have an amazing FBO run by Kubick Aviation Services, media coverage and more!"
After all the flying was done, the volunteers and competitors were treated to a lovely award banquet at the *K.I.Sawyer Heritage Air Museum.
See all the final scores online at: https://iaccdb.iac.org/contests/901
*The museum was started during the final months of the existence of K.I. Sawyer as an active Air Force Base. The Museum is committed to developing and promoting aviation, both Military and Civilian, by understanding the history of aviation in the Upper Peninsula.
