Flying With The Aero Experience: Over Southwest IL in an Aeronca Chief

By Carmelo Turdo

This edition of Flying With The Aero Experience looks back at the spring of 2015 during the production of Fly Now! The Movie. First, the Midwest Aviation community participated in an aerial salute to fallen veterans during the annual Memorial Day ceremony held in Hecker, IL. Over 15 aircraft from St. Louis and Metro-East Illinois gathered after short flights from nearby airfields to Sparta Community Airport (Hunter Field) for the 9am briefing. The Aero Experience and Fly Now! The Movie teamed up to participate and report on the aviation portion of the ceremony, with movie crew members Bill and Amber Aanstad in a Piper Cub, Brian Kissinger in Piety the Pietenpol, and Jeff Wilson and Carmelo Turdo in Jeff's 1941 Aeronca Chief. 

The Aero Experience: Carmelo Turdo

Pilot: Jeff Wilson

Aircraft: 1941 Aeronca 65-CA Super Chief

 

Next, the Fly Now! The Movie crew continued work on this Reality Aviation Documentary (RAD), gathering some footage of local pilots flying out of the home airport, Sackman Field, in Columbia, IL. The filming included an air-to-air session with local pilots flying a variety of home-built, vintage and modern general aviation aircraft. The Aero Experience flew with Director Jeff Wilson in his Aeronca Chief, capturing video of the aircraft as they made passes near our camera ship. Here are some views of the day’s flying, featuring Bill Aanstad in the Piper Cub and Brian Kissinger in Piety the Pietenpol.

The Aero Experience: Carmelo Turdo

Pilot: Jeff Wilson

Aircraft: 1941 Aeronca 65-CA Super Chief