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Committee discusses marketing, camping options, courtesy cars and deer control to boost transient traffic
Summary
Members discussed creating a social-media presence, airport camping permits, courtesy-car availability and nuisance-permit hunting to manage deer that are damaging airport property and creating safety concerns.
The Bay City Airport Advisory Committee discussed steps to attract more transient pilots and to manage grounds operations, including marketing, short-term camping, use of courtesy cars and wildlife control.
Several members said the airport lacks a consistent online presence to reach pilots. Committee members proposed a Facebook page and a simple web link on the city site so pilots can find fuel prices, parking and local hotels. One committee member said pilot groups such as the statewide “Michigan Pilots” Facebook community (about 900 members) are commonly used to share fly-in information.
The airport currently offers courtesy cars for transient pilots; King said the city’s code-enforcement office agreed to lend a car for weekend events and Oshkosh traffic. Committee members discussed signage and directory listings and recommended coordinating with the city’s marketing coordinator and the chamber of commerce to compile a visitor packet of restaurants and hotels.
Committee members also discussed permitting for overnight camping by visiting pilots. An airport-permit process was described; committee members said the statewide or local permitting framework can limit the number of camping units and that the airport would need to follow the formal permit process.
On wildlife, members said deer have increased since organized sharpshooting/hunting efforts stopped and suggested returning to a managed approach. King said the airport used to have contractors who removed dozens of deer annually during an organized program; since that program stopped, deer numbers have “exploded.” He urged working with city staff to streamline nuisance permits for timely action.
What’s next: staff will pursue a coordinated marketing approach with the city’s marketing coordinator, explore setting up a Facebook page and website materials for pilots, and follow up on the permit process for camping and wildlife control.
