Little Finger Thermaleers - LIFT

04/13/2026

We are still doing this, literally soaring with eagles, with model sailplanes with wingpsans up to 12 feet! If you are interested in learning more, message us!

Way back in the 1930s, the skies above the National Cherry Festival looked a little different...

Model airplane competitions had festival-goers looking UP, marveling at handcrafted planes and the talented folks who built them. It was creativity, community, and competition all rolled into one and honestly? Pretty cool. ✈️

Nearly a century later, the spirit of bringing people together for something extraordinary lives on.

04/12/2026

This could be you!! Contact us to find out how!!

12/13/2025

Winter darkness great for night flights of Night Radian! Addicting! Best is pre-dawn, pitch black, time it so you can land at civil twilight!

10/02/2025

A HUGE shout out and THANK YOU to Jimmy and Jeff at Island Transit who performed a miracle find and rescue of my Radian RC sailplane (glider) floating in the shipping channel in Lake Michigan, 3 miles out from Leland and 9 miles from its last known location near Little Traverse Inn!! THANK YOU SO MUCH JIMMY AND JEFF!!

https://www.facebook.com/ManitouTransit

09/27/2025

FLYING IS FUN!!

If you are interested in literally soaring with eagles with RC sailplanes, join us at 10:30 am tomorrow (Sunday) at Peplinksi Field!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VGE6N4CQiKPstir59

Wear sunscreen and cap, bring chair, drinking water and a sack lunch!

LIFT is northwest Michigan's only RC sailplane club for the last 40 years!

Thank you to Drew Palmer for the great video!!

09/11/2025

Peter Baumeler winch launches his Challenger yesterday!
There's lots of good flying left this season... come on out!

09/11/2025

Peter Baumeler and Doug Adams with their twin Challengers!

09/11/2025

For those of you who knew longtime LIFT member Ted Lanham or his wife Tali, sad to report her passing August 22 at age 100.

As you will read, she was an amazing woman and they were an amazing couple.

Ted passed in March at age 99. His obituary also included here.

https://www.leelanaunews.com/obituaries/598,natalie-l-lanham

https://www.leelanaunews.com/obituaries/429,ted-lanham

08/25/2025

Sailplanes can get big! This one has 12 foot wingspan!

08/25/2025

For those who prefer slower, calmer slope soaring, there's that too!

Note how calm Lake Michigan is...almost no breeze.

With the right plane like this one, it takes very little wind to slope soar.

Come fly with us!!

08/24/2025

Sleeping Bear Dunes is one of the premier slope soaring sites in the country.

A permit is required. We have them!

Come soar with us for free for the rest of 2025 if you join for 2026.

$ 85/year or $ 50 if you are over 100 miles away.

Flying Is Fun!! Message us if you are interested.

08/24/2025

LIFT Vice President Peter Baumeler slope soaring JW 48 model designed by Joe Wurts, 4 time World Champion including 2025, launched by LIFT President Fred Page.

You too can do this!! Training and permit required. We have both!

New Members joining for 2026 fly remainder of 2025 FREE!!

Membership $ 85/year, $ 50 if you are over 100 miles away.

We have members from Big Rapids and Grand Rapids. Come join the flying fun because...."Flying Is Fun!!!"