Six miles from Eastern Michigan University’s main campus, powerful jet turbines roared as the Blue Angels performed its air show, “Thunder over Michigan.”
The performance was hosted by EMU’s Eagle Flight Center at the historic Willow Run Airport on Tyler Road Saturday and Sunday.
The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron makes annual appearances in Michigan during its national tour (July 2-3 in Battle Creek), but EMU has only hosted a Blue Angels show once previous to “Thunder over Michigan.”
“This is pretty new to us,” Colleen Redmond, Director of Marketing and Recruitment at the Eagle Flight Center, said. “We wanted to host it for the students because they put a lot of hard work into the aviation program.”
Visitors also supported fraternity Alpha Eta Rho, a Sigma Chi Chapter affiliated with the flight center, through parking and entrance fees collected Saturday. Funds will go toward venture flights to locations including the Florida Keys and North Carolina, according to Redmond.
Wayne residents Gayle Rediske and her husband broke their yearly routine of watching the show from the flight center and substituted for views from a parking lot near I-94, but argued the views at Willow Run are incomparable.
“There’s nothing like it,” Rediske said. “They get so close to the ground; it’s unbelievable!”
The couple sat among MAPCO Manufacturing employees who witnessed the Blue Angels practice throughout the week.
“We could hear them from inside, so when we had that horrible muggy weather — and no air conditioning — we’d come outside and watch,” Matt Schlamb, an employee of the Canton business, said. “It made for a nice break.”
By Saturday the weather had returned to tolerable temperatures, making a good turnout for the flight center. Redmond said they hope to host another air show next year but could not confirm the prospect quite yet.
She continues to urge EMU faculty and students to visit the flight center for recognition of the aviation program and views of Willow Run’s notable World War II planes.
“We’re a highly accredited flight school,” Redmond said.
EMU’s aviation program offers bachelor degree programs in aviation flight technology and aviation management at the Eagle Flight Center. The center is equipped with 12 instructors, 12 aircrafts and the latest technology in aviation, according to Redmond.
Tours of the Eagle Flight Center, the nation’s first Cessna Collegiate Center, can be scheduled by calling 734-481-3000.
