Continental Motors located near Muskegon Lake in Muskegon, MI was one of the largest producers of aircraft engines during world war II. The engine casting process requires large amounts of fine sugar sand which is found in abundance in West Michigan near the shores of Lake Michigan. Employees from the continental motors banded together and procured company funding to form a flying club at the Muskegon County Airport. The airport was a large and busy one even back in the start of the 19th century. Muskegon’s beautiful sandy beaches and large historic Occidental Hotel drew many vacationers to the area.
Pilot logbook records of early members showed club activity as early as 1955. We have a professional photo of the members dated 1956. The Continental Flying Group of Muskegon, Inc was officially incorporated July 24, 1961 listing two aircraft, 15 members and President Franklin D. Zadonick. Continental motors company moved to Alabama in 1966 and started to phase out operations in Muskegon. In 1973, continental motors stopped financial support to the club. February 19, 1973 the club was renamed the West Michigan Flying Club, Inc by President Anthony Kenney. Shortly after continental motors ceased all operations in Muskegon abandoning their founding town.
In the early 1990’s the Muskegon County Airport was preparing for major renovations. In 1994 the West Michigan Flying Club hanger was unearthed and moved 273 yards closer to the center of the airport. Less taxi time, great! The club built a new pilots lounge. The old pilots lounge still stands unoccupied in 2015, it is no longer part of the airport property.
Members in 1956 
A record 450 private planes which flew into Muskegon for the 21st annual Dawn Patrol in 1958. A crowd estimated between 8,000 and 10,000 jammed the field to watch Air Force and Coast Guard flying demonstrations. Club members still drive by the building on the right. 
Muskegon County Airport aerial by Marge Beaver, May 2008. 
Runway 32 Renovation 2008 
N8660S owned by club in November 1967 in front of old pilots lounge 
N5906E owned by club in November 1967 in front of old pilots lounge 
Original Mooney Dash photo taken in 2010 before renovations 
N9576M was a 1967 Mooney 20F purchased by the club in 1969. The original owners sold it to the club and became members. The aircraft remained with the club from 1969-2015. 
The Mooney was flown to Woodstock by member Roger Neilson. He is still a member in 2018. This aircraft was a club favorite and had been all over North America. Through an insurance settlement with the avionics shop it was replaced by a piper lance in 2015. 
Hanger sites
