Berz Family of Aviators
Berz Flying Service was actually begun by accident. Milton Berz Sr., also known as Pappy, bought a farm on 15 Mile Road, just east of Birmingham. Three of the family, Milton Sr., Mrs Berz, and Milton Jr. were all learning to fly at Pontiac Airport. They decided that they could avoid the drive to Pontiac by keeping an airplane down on the farm. One day, Pappy was mowing the landing strip, together with a flight instructor friend, when someone stopped by asking if they offered flying lessons. The answer was yes that was 54 years ago.The business, started by Pappy, was taken over Milton, Jr. in 1952. Today we have the third generation, Jeffery.
The original airport, now known as Oakland-Troy Airport was sold in 1968, with the Berz's moving to their present location in 1972. Berz Macomb is to close as of July 31.