Guest Post: Flight in CAF Stearman Trainer Makes an Excellent Aero Experience

Guest post: The Aero Experience thanks our friend, Matt O'Day, for contributing this coverage of his PT-13 Stearman flight during the recent CAF Airpower Tour at Spirit of St. Louis Airport. The tour included an appearance by the B-29 Superfortress, Fifi, one of only two flying examples of the type. Here Matt O'Day provides the following narrative and photos from his flight: 

I finally got to take a biplane flight after about 3 years of thinking of it! The Commemorative Air Force Airpower Tour came to Spirit of St. Louis Airport, so I signed up for a PT-13 Stearman flight on Saturday morning, August 16. I was a excited as a kid in a candy store. My pilot, Brian Fenelon, took us up to about 2000 feet and I had an excellent view of the countryside. I only had a T-Shirt on, and it felt great. He even let me take the stick for a while to get the feel of the plane. I actually got some great photos from my 20-minute flight. I would Love to go up again some time - it was an excellent experience!

Guest Post: St. Charles Flying Service and MO CAF Wing Host Annual Pumpkin Drop

Guest Post: The Aero Experience thanks our friend, Gary Chambers, for contributing his coverage of the 2024 Pumkin Drop event held on Saturday, October 26. The annual fall event was hosted by St. Charles Flying Service and the Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force at St. Charles County (Smartt Field)  Regional Airport. The Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation provided their popular exhibit, which included an F-4 Phantom jet cockpit, TH-67 helicopter and a squadron of pedal planes. Other aircraft, such as the Metro Air Support MD-500 helicopter, were also on static display for the large crowd to enjoy. Throughout the day, pumpkins rained down on the target as local pilots (and their bombardiers) vied for the closest hit. The highlight of the day was the flight of the Missouri Commemorative Air Force Wing's TMB Avenger, culminating with a pumpkin bomb salvo and several passes over the runway. 

Here we include a survey of the activity, courtesy of Gary Chambers.

 

Warbird Ride Day Honors Service of World War II and Vietnam War Veterans

By Carmelo Turdo

Two St. Louis area organizations held public ride events on Saturday, June 15, at their home airports. The Missouri Wing of the Commemorative Air Force flew their World War II-era B-25J, Show Me, medium bomber and Stearman trainer out of St. Charles County Regional Airport, while the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation Gateway Chapter launched their Vietnam War-era UH-1H Huey and AH-1F Cobra helicopters from Creve Coeur Airport. The Aero Experience spent a few hours at each event, and we support their mission of honoring the veterans of their respective services by giving the public a first-hand experience flying in these iconic aircraft. Here we feature one ride in each aircraft. Click on the links above to reserve your flight on the next ride event.