The Aero Experience is a celebration of Midwest Aviation and aerospace achievement. We invite you to join us as we tell the story of Midwest Aviation through first-hand, immersive media presentations. Check in with The Aero Experience frequently to see where we land, and then go out and have your own aero experiences!
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| By Carmelo Turdo |
In Part 1, we introduced the main sponsors, Elite Aviation and the Civil Air Patrol, and in Part 2 we covered the special guest exhibitors. Here in Part 3, we will include the other participants that brought aircraft and exhibit tents to the event.
In the spirit of the Civil Air Patrol 80th Anniversary, there were several liaison aircraft like those used by the CAP since World War II. L-birds, or Grasshoppers, as they are called due to their role and ability to operate from short grass airstrips, are ideal aerial observation platforms and are relatively easy to fly and maintain. Included here are Michael and Susan Letrello's 1943 Taylorcraft L-2B; Jim Johnson's silver 1947 Aeronca L-16A with CAP service from 1952-1987; the Missouri CAF Wing 1941 Aeronca L-3E, Lil' Show Me; and Michael Totty's 1954 Cessna 180 Skywagon.
