Fly-in/drive-in at Macomb Municipal Airport (KMQB) still draws big crowd

Macomb, Ill. — A Sunday morning thunderstorm didn’t keep over 1,000 from visiting the Macomb Municipal Airport’s 30th annual Heritage Days fly-in/drive-in and enjoying a pancake breakfast served by the Macomb and Colchester Lions Clubs. 

Bill Butcher, vice chair of the municipal airport board, said most of the pilots who flew in to the event arrived before the mid-morning thunderstorm arrived. Awards were given for the oldest pilot, oldest antique airplane, best spot landing and pilot that traveled the longest distance.

“We’ve had about 20 planes and two helicopters,” Butcher said. “The farthest came in from Bolingbrook, Illinois.”

One local pilot, Joe Runyan, of rural Bushnell, arrived in a 1940 Waco UPF-7 and took home two honors: one for oldest antique airplane and one for third place in the spot landing contest.

“Both of my parents were pilots,” said Runyan, 32. “If I’m not working I go every year. It’s just nice to see local pilots from the area and talk to people.”

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