Benz Aviation: The Beginning

It all began in 1934 when Allan M. Williams (1892-1979) originated the idea of an Ionia County Airport and was able to convince the county board of supervisors to agree. With federal aid available, he directed the development and construction of airport facilities and remained its manager until his retirement.
On July 26th, 1935, the Ionia County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution authorizing the Airport Committee to purchase a site for an airport not to exceed $7,500. The site chosen was a South farm owned by Barrett Sessions and his wife bordering on what is now called M-66. Construction began on the airport on the 10th of January 1936 and on July 11th, 1937 the airport was dedicated and opened.
As aviation in the Ionia County grew, so did the airport. The runway was expanded and the first landing lights were installed in 1948.
In 1957, Donald Ackerman took over as the manager of the Ionia County Airport after the retirement of Allan Williams in 1957. Shortly after that, in 1958, the East-West runway was paved and land was purchased in for a new North-South runway in 1963. It was finally constructed in 1965, which also brought the first glider operations to Ionia.
In 1988 Jerry Benz, the owner and operator of Benz Aviation which had been operating at the airport took the reigns as Ionia County Airport Manager and remained until his untimely death in January of 2000.
Two young men worked for Jerry, 1990 through 1995, one as a mechanic/tow pilot and the other as a flight instructor. Tony and Matt had always talked about owning their own operation some day and went separate ways. After Jerry passed away, there was talk about who would keep the gliders in Ionia, the only answer was, someone who had worked there and knew what needed to happen. Matt and Tony started talking and Matt quit his job April 1st 2000 and started working at Ionia. Tony continued to work and spent weekends and spare time there. Four long months of paperwork ended with papers signed and bright days ahead.
Benz Aviation has changed alot from the begining. Currently Benz Aviation employs 7 full time people and 17 to 24 part timers depending on the season. Tony Smit is the Ionia County Airport Manager, dividing his time between that, flight instruction for power and glider, glider rides, glider towing and general operations. Matt is busy dividing his time between aircraft inspections, keeping the maintenance shop flowing, towing banners, giving glider rides and towing gliders.
The future of Benz Aviation is wide open as operations have begun at the Zeeland Executive Airport in 2004. Providing a Flight School and a Maintanence Shop.
Benz Aviation (both East and West) remains a premier soaring facilty for the North Central United States and has hosted several competitions. You should consider joining the fun and excitement by coming to Benz to take a glider ride as soon as possible.