Sightings: Rare PZL M28 Skytruck Special Operations Aircraft Makes Stop in St. Louis Area

By Carmelo Turdo

A rare PZL Mielec (now Sikorsky) M28-05 Skytruck, one of nine operated by the USAF Special Operations Command 318th Special Operations Squadron at Cannon AFB, Clovis, NM made a stop at St. Louis Downtown Airport recently for a series of weekend training missions.  The aircraft, manufactured at the Sikorsky plant in Poland, is a modern derivative of the Russian AN-28 that provides a rugged, turbo-prop transport and resupply capability for small teams operating behind enemy lines.  Interestingly, the ten M28s are civil registered to USAF Special Operations Command headquartered at Hurlburt Field, FL.  After an overnight stay, the two crew members were preparing for a training flight when mechanical trouble forced the return of the aircraft to the ramp after engine run-ups.  The aircraft later moved on to its next destination, but not before providing the local aviation community with an interesting Sighting!