Mount
Vernon Outland Airport was recognized on a national level on multiple occasions
in 2017. Events such as the Midwest LSA Expo and EAA AirVenture Cup Race
garnered attention from the aviation community, and additional public exposure
came from this summer’s total eclipse. In 2017, a relationship between the
airport and the Boy Scouts of America led to an increased number of events at
the airport for area youth, and the airport established this region’s only
Aviation Explorer Post.
The
remarkable November 2017 AOPA Pilot cover
shot, titled “Total Eclipse,” captured by AOPA Senior Photographer Chris Rose,
was connected to Mount Vernon Outland Airport through Eric Whyte, ONE Aviation
Chief Demo Pilot. Whyte and AOPA’s Dave
Hirschman conceived the idea of the total eclipse in the background of the
Eclipse 550 Jet at Sun ‘n Fun in April. The pair chose Mount Vernon Outland
Airport due to its close proximity to totality, and the nine page article
mentions the airport on nearly every page. The November edition of EAA Sport Aviation also featured an
article covering the total eclipse, with several southern Illinois airports
mentioned. 
The
9th Annual Midwest LSA Expo, held in early September, generated articles
in the November 2017 Powered Sport Flying
magazine and the December 2017 edition of EAA
Sport Aviation. Mount Vernon Outland Airport Manager Chris Collins
remarked about the recent media attention: “With so much going on in the
aviation industry, it is a rare occurrence to be featured once in a national
magazine. To be mentioned this many times in a single year is truly special!”
Mount
Vernon Outland Airport officials recently reviewed their 2017 partnership with
Boy Scouts of America. The airport hosted a five day Bug Hunter Day Camp for
Cub Scouts in July, provided training and Young Eagle Flights for nearly 60
Aviation Merit Badge candidates in September, and introduced aviation careers
to several youth through the newly established Aviation Explorer Post #1155. Visits
to SIUC, Boeing, the St. Louis-Lambert International Airport Control Tower, and
the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force were just a few of the trips made by
the region’s only Aviation Explorer Program.
Mount
Vernon Outland Airport looks forward to many more activities in 2018, including
Balloons over Mount Vernon/Veterans Fly-In and the Vietnam Veterans Run for the
Wall Lunch Stop, both in May, and the return of the Midwest LSA Expo and the KR
National Gathering, both in September. New and exciting opportunities await the
Aviation Explorers as well. Slots are always available in the program for high
school-age youth interested in an aviation career. For those older than high school age, the
airport always welcomes visitors - flying or driving! To see more, visit www.mtvernonairport.com.
The Aero Experience is proud to support Mount Vernon Outland Airport. Thanks to Airport Manager Chris Collins and his staff for all they do to make the airport an outstanding Midwest Aviation resource.
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