| Baldwin Municipal Airport | |
| Faa: | 7D3 |
| Owner-Oper: | Baldwin, Michigan |
| City-Served: | Baldwin, Michigan |
| Location: | Lake County, Michigan |
| Utc: | -5 |
| Utcs: | -4 |
| Coordinates: | 43.8753°N -85.8425°W |
| Elevation-F: | 828 |
| Elevation-M: | 252 |
| R1-Number: | 9/27 |
| R1-Length-F: | 3800 |
| R1-Length-M: | 1158 |
| R1-Surface: | Asphalt |
| R2-Number: | 5/23 |
| R2-Length-F: | 2800 |
| R2-Length-M: | 853 |
| R2-Surface: | Turf |
| Stat1-Header: | Aircraft Movements |
| Stat1-Data: | 348 |
| Stat-Year: | 2019 |
Baldwin Municipal Airport (FAA LID: 7D3) is a publicly owned, public use airport located 2miles south of Baldwin in Lake County, Michigan. The airport sits on 135acres at an elevation of 828feet.[1] [2]
The airport hosts a number of events throughout the year.
The airport hosts the annual Western Michigan Remote Control Expo. Events are held at the Baldwin RC Park, which is considered a part of the airport. It is one of at least four events that the Lake County Modelers and Flyers Association (LCMFA) hosts at Baldwin Municipal Airport every year. Pilots come to fly model RC jets in an effort to promote the hobby, and pilots often fly in with their piston aircraft as well. Simulators are available for testing, and the LCMFA offers community members free flights in regular aircraft.[3] [4] [5]
The airport's most popular event is the annual Blessing of the Bikes. Thousands of motorcycle riders gather at the airport to receive a blessing for a safe riding season. The event is organized by the Para-Dice Motorcycle Club of Grand Rapids along with the Lake County Chamber of Commerce. The event is held on the third Sunday of May every year, and traffic is rerouted away from the airport to make space.[6] [7]
The event began in 1972 with four bikes at Baldwin's St. Ann's Catholic Church when some bikers rode through Lake County, where they raised money for the community and received a blessing from a priest. It has since grown to be a weekend-long event that also includes more fundraising, music, vendors, food, and contests. The airport sees thousands of riders every year. The event is well appreciated for bringing so many tourists to Baldwin and the airport itself.[8] [9] [10]
The airport has two runways. Runway 9/27 measures 3800feetx75feetft (xft) and is paved with asphalt. Runway 5/23 measures 2800feetx100feetft (xft) and is turf. For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2019, the airport had 348 movements, an average of 29 per month. It was entirely general aviation. For the same time period there were two aircraft based on the field, both single-engine airplanes.