St. Louis Science Center Aviation Day Follows Debut of "Air Racers" Omnimax Movie

By Carmelo Turdo

Steven Hinton, Jr.

The James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center Held "Aviation Day" Saturday following the debut of Air Racers at the facility's OMNIMAX Theater.  Air Racers, the new IMAX film featuring the Reno National Championship Air Races, focuses on the highly modified P-51 Mustang flown by Steven Hinton, Jr. for Team Strega.  Mr. Hinton, the youngest winner and four-time national unlimited class air racing champion, made a special appearance at a reception for St. Louis Science Center Members and VIP visitors Friday evening.  He also spent time with visitors to the St. Louis Science Center on Saturday, answering questions and signing autographs.  Other attractions at "Aviation Day" included aircraft on display, an F-4 Phantom II fighter jet cockpit, and information booths staffed by representatives of the local aviation community.  Below are highlights of the day's events:

Aircraft on display in the rotunda

 

Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum's BD-5 and EAA 32's Sonerai

 

St. Louis Community College Aerospace Institute

 

Steven Hinton, Jr. visits with EAA Chapter 32

 

Steven Hinton, Jr. signs autographs

St. Louis Flight Simulator

 

St. Louis Aero Pilots RC Club

Gateway Area Ultralight Association

Show Me RC Airshows

F-4 Phantom II Cockpit from the Greater St. Louis Air & Space Museum