Flying Dutchman Airport in Belleville, IL Holds Fly-In

Year In Review - Odd Shots 2010

Landings in Portugal Book Provides Unique Look Into World War II Aviation

(Carlos Guerreiro Book Photo)

Mr. Carlos Guerreiro, author of Landing in Portugal, writes to The Aero Experience:

During WWII, more than 100 aircraft from belligerent countries crashed or landed in Portugal.  More than 600 men, that crewed those aircraft, had to finish their missions in a neutral territory because of mechanical failure, lack of fuel or enemy action.

All those stories can be found in a new site – in Portuguese and English - that was recently published:  www.landinportugal.org


Dozens of Commonwealth men (British, Australian, New Zealanders, Canadians etc), Americans, Germans, Austrians and even French and Belgians were interned in this neutral country during the period of 1939 to 1945.


Many others lost their lives in consequence of the event’s they were involved.


The site brings you about 140 individual files with information about the events, dates, aircraft and men involved in these incidents.  The site is based in the material collected for a book I published in 2008 named “Aterrem em Portugal!” (Land in Portugal) , where I interviewed about 15 crew members that were in Portugal during that period, besides Portuguese witnesses and others.


Documents from many archives around the world were also searched for this publication that displays more than 150 pictures in 300 pages.


In the next months I will update the information contained in the site with information and pictures. This updates will be announced in a blog were you can find also stories related with WWII and Portugal.  You can find the blog in www.landinportugal.blogspot.com


For any questions or contacts please send one e-mail to landinportugal@gmail.com

Bonanza! Collection of Beechcraft Bonanzas from Recent Events

Remembering Missouri Highway Patrol Pilot Sgt. Joseph Schuengel

Visitors to last weekend's helicopter display at Spirit of St. Louis Airport were privileged to meet Sgt. Joseph Schuengel and check out his Bell 206B helicopter.  Here is a photo salute to our hometown hero:

(Carmelo Turdo)

(Carmelo Turdo)

(Carmelo Turdo)

(Carmelo Turdo)

(Mark Nankivil)

(Mark Nankivil)

Missouri Highway Patrol Hero Pilot Loses Life in Chopper Accident

Sgt. Schuengel and his Bell 206 on display Oct. 9 at Spirit Airport (Carmelo Turdo)

Missouri Highway Patrol pilot, Sgt. Joseph Schuengel, a 17-year veteran, lost his life today in the line of duty while returning to Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield around 11am today.  After dropping off two troopers in Jefferson County, Sgt. Schuengel reportedly encountered possible rotor separation and managed to aim the Bell 206 towards a tree-lined roadway at Horseshoe Ridge and Kehrs Mill Road.  Although no official statements on the cause of the accident were released, it appears from the early video of the accident site that Sgt. Schuengel heroically avoided nearby houses and saved many more lives on the ground.

We extend out deepest sympathies to the family of Sgt. Schuengel. 

Spirit of St. Louis Airport Hosts Gathering of Service Helicopters

Here are some of the amazing service helicopters on display today at Spirit of St. Louis Airport in Chesterfield, MO.  Special thanks to Spirit of St. Louis Airport, TAC Air, and the service and first responder organizations represented:

Air Evac Life Team with their Bell 206 air ambulance

Missouri Army National Guard Apache and Blackhawk 

   

 Missouri Highway Patrol Bell 206

St. Louis County Police Hughes 369E (MD-500E) 

U.S. Marine Corps Bell TH-57C from TAW-5 

U.S. Coast Guard MH-65C Dolphin from New Orleans 

Vietnam Memorial Wall - Never Forget these Heroes