Monday, March 2, 2026

45th Annual Ultralight and Light Sport Aviation Safety Symposium Held at Southwestern Illinois College Granite City Campus

By Carmelo Turdo
The 45th Annual Ultralight and Light Sport Aviation Safety Symposium was held at the Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) Granite City Campus on Saturday. The event, sponsored by AeroCareers, EAA Chapter 64, Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Aeronautics, FAA St. Louis FSDO and the Illinois Ultralight Advisory Council
offered a variety of exhibitors and expert presenters addressing concerns common to ultralight and light sport aircraft (now MOSAIC Sport Pilot) operators. 

The Aero Experience coverage of the day's activities includes a pictorial review of the guest speakers and exhibitors. We recommend that ultralight and sport pilots attend the next symposium on February 27, 2027. 
























Here we review the program as it unfolded throughout the day, beginning with arrivals and registration. Below, attendees are greeted by event host Bob McDaniel and the FAA St. Louis FSDO staff as they register for Wings Pilot Proficiency Program credit.  
















Breakfast was available before the symposium and lunch was served at the midday break. Between presentations, attendees visited these exhibitors: AeroCareers, LifeLine Pilots, PDK Aviation, Magni Gyro, Mount Vernon Outland Airport, Recreational Aviation Foundation, and Wicks Aircraft and Motorsports.










Bob McDaniel welcomed the attendees to the Symposium. McDaniel is President of AeroCareers, a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating aerospace career education and mentoring to the next generation. His career spans from USAF transport pilot to former Director of St. Louis Downtown Airport. Currently, he manages the Southwest Illinois Sport Aviation Flight Park in Millstadt. 




The symposium speakers are recognized experts in the aviation community, and their presentations were well-received and highly interactive. Presenters shown here include:








And lots of raffle prizes!







The Aero Experience thanks everyone who produced this great Midwest Aviation event, and we look forward to another year of safe flying ahead! 

Saturday, February 21, 2026

2025 Midwest Aviation Expo Expanded Event Coverage: Exhibitor Survey

By Carmelo Turdo
The Seventeenth Annual Midwest Aviation Expo was held September 4-6 at Mount Vernon, IL Outland Airport. A variety of light sport aircraft brands were on exhibit, including the Bristell 912 and the Tomark Aero Viper provided by Piston AviationThe Aero Experience has partnered with Piston Aviation over the last four Expos to provide expanded coverage of the event, and in 2025 we were proud to be one of the media sponsors. Along with our introductory story on Mount Vernon Outland Airport and another featuring Piston Aviation, this edition in our series includes a survey of the exhibitor brands on display.