Guest Post: Veteran Flies with Golden Knights During Fair St. Louis Airshow

Guest Post: U.S. Army Veteran Larry Titchenal Flies With the Golden Knights  

Fair St. Louis offered two airshows on Saturday, July 6, and I accompanied the U.S. Army Golden Knights Black Team on their Fokker C-31A Troopship for both jump flights. In this photo essay, I take a brief look at the flight from the Jet Aviation apron at St. Louis Downtown Airport to a bulls-eye landing on the Gateway Arch grounds (shot from a previous airshow this week).  

The Black Team members and air crew were a pleasure to cover, and their camaraderie and professionalism can be clearly seen. They welcome media coverage, with about half of the team engaging the media during the flight while others were all business. Just prior to jump, they "Gimme five, then knuckles" to each passenger. They love what they do, probably would do it for free. Loved flying with my U.S. Army Brothers (and sister!). Best wishes to one of our flight crew, CW4 Felicia Marlow, on her upcoming retirement.

In the photos below are views of the pre-flight activities, circling the drop zone, Black Team Drop Zone Safety Officer SFC Jesse Robbins saluting as he departs the aircraft, and the landing at the Gateway Arch grounds.

 

The Aero Experience thanks our friend Larry Titchenal for contributing to our coverage of the 2019 Fair St. Louis Airshow. We also thank him for serving in the U.S. Army from 1968 - 1970, stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Bliss and Fort Riley. You can see more coverage of the 2019 Fair St. Louis Airshows in the previous several posts.

Fair St. Louis Airshow Performers Arrive at St. Louis Downtown Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

Fair St. Louis is set to start tomorrow, and five airshows are planned for July 4-6 over the Mississippi River near the Gateway Arch grounds. The airshow performers will be flying from St. Louis Downtown Airport, only a few miles distant from the riverfront, and they were in the air today rehearsing their show routines. The Aero Experience was at the airport, along with our friends, accomplished photographers Larry Titchenal and Chase Kohler, to capture a preview of the available airshow performers. 

Larry Titchenal photo

Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, North American AT-6 Texan

Kevin Coleman, Extra 300SHP

Jeff Boerboon, Yak-110

U.S. Army Golden Knights, Fokker C-31A Troopship

Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II, 442nd FW, Whiteman AFB, MO USAFR

Bell Helicopter/Boeing MV-22B Osprey, VMM-161, MCAS Miramar, CA 

Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules, 19th AW, Little Rock AFB, AR

The Aero Experience will have more coverage of the Fair St. Louis Airshow coming soon! We thank Jet Aviation for their hospitality and access to the north and west aprons of St. Louis Downtown Airport.