Efforts to bring Hanley Field up to federal regulations received a financial boost on Saturday, Aug. 5 after the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF), as the non-profit organization pledged $50,000 to the local airstrip.

“It’s going to save the county some money,” said Hanley Field Manager Dick Bowerman. “This will help us move along and, possibly, have some money available to get some more maintenance equipment.”

The money will be focused on updating the terminal to include a pilot’s lounge with some items helping with fliers that want to come in and camp and others that want to make the trip to Munising and the surrounding areas.

Upgrading the terminal is something that will help reach a permanent certification standard as set by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Currently, Hanley Field has a provisional license until September 30 to complete the upgrades.

Bowerman said this kind of donation paired with work by locals volunteering will guarantee the field will reach certification by that deadline.

“Absolutely we’ll make it now with these upgrades,” he said. “I think we’ll be in real good shape.”

RAF Director Jeff Russell said that once Hanley Field is up and running, interest will be high because of the beauty of the Munising area.

“We don’t have to sell Munising because it sells itself,” Russell said. “It’s so easy to get excited because all we need to do is let people know it exists.”

The money was pledged during a fly-in in event where members of the RAF joined members of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

GAMA was holding a meeting in downstate Harbor Springs and then went on a multiple-stop flight across airstrips in the upper Midwest. One of their first landings was at Hanley Field, with many leaders of recreational aircraft manufacturing from seven countries seeing the area for the first time.

“This is truly an international event with people from France, Belgium, Switzerland,” said RAF Chairman John McKenna. “To have them here is important and shows that there are people willing to help support this.”

Work will continue out at Hanley Field. A new wooden sign welcomes people to the airstrip while a pilots lounge will be constructed soon.