Guest Post: 2025 Duluth Air and Aviation Expo Features USN Blue Angels and Other Top Performers

Guest Post: The Aero Experience thanks our friend Duane Cooley of DRC Images for contributing this coverage of the 2025 Duluth Air and Aviation Expo. 

The Duluth Airshow was held July 5-6 at Duluth International Airport, MN. Despite Saturday's low ceiling that curtailed some of the airshow, we still have some great highlights to share. Our coverage here includes: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team; U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team, Erik Edgren Airshows Taylorcraft, Susan Dacy Super Stearman, RAD Aerosports Jet Waco, MN CAF Wing B-25 Miss Mitchell, U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II Demo Team, Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron.

  

Huey Helicopter Lands at Missouri's National Veterans Memorial, Part 1: Preview to Dedication Day

By Carmelo Turdo

Missouri's National Veterans Memorial will dedicate their newest outdoor display - a Vietnam War-Era Bell Helicopter UH-1B Iroquois, popularly known as the Huey, during a public unveiling this Saturday, July 12. The iconic aircraft, destined for the scrap yard, was rescued just over a year ago by a volunteer group of veterans and skilled tradesmen determined to see her proudly represent those who served during that tumultuous decade in Southeast Asia. It will become a place of contemplation and healing along with the replica Vietnam War Memorial Wall, Honor Flag Memorial, Guardians of Freedom Pavilion, the Old Guard statue and the James M. Eddleman Military Museum located on the sprawling Memorial grounds.

The Memorial, located in Perryville, MO, is about ten miles south of Perryville Regional Airport where the helicopter was refurbished for display. West Star Aviation Perryville provided the hangar space for the project, and suppliers from around the region contributed the paint and the various damaged or missing parts needed to restore the helicopter for display. 

The Aero Experience visited West Star Aviation Perryville as the volunteers completed the final touches on the aircraft and transported it to the Memorial in advance of this weekend's dedication ceremony. We were warmly welcomed by West Star General Manager Kyle French, project coordinator Kevin Robinson, Memorial Executive Director Rae Lynn Munoz and the project crew as they worked hard on hot summer days to ensure the Huey landed on its mount on time. The safe transport of the aircraft was accomplished with the help of Whisler Aviation and Scott Jannin Crane Service and Trucking. Once on site, additional assistance in securing and wiring the aircraft for lights was provided by Dreyer Electric.  

Kevin Robinson

In the coming weeks, The Aero Experience will tell the tale of how this Huey helicopter was recovered and given a place of honor representing America's military heroes, their families, the local community, the State of Missouri and the nation. Look for our multi-part series containing exclusive photos and video of the process from those who dedicated 1707 hours of volunteer work over the last fourteen months leading up to this weekend. Here is a preview of our coverage:

News Release: St. Louis Regional Airport to Host Air Race Classic in 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Alton, IL – St. Louis Regional Airport was selected by Air Race Classic, Inc. to host the 49^th Annual Air Race Classic Start event in June 2026.  Occurring annually, the Air Race Classic is an all-female piloted aviation race which provides upwards of 60 teams from around the country the opportunity to fly a pre-determined route over a four-day period.  Competitors are judged on their cross-country flying skills as they visit ten different airports enroute to the Terminus.  Averaging around 100 participants each year, teams consist of two to three pilots flying in single engine, general aviation aircrafts.  As a result, this event brings an estimated direct economic benefit of $180,000.

 

Directed by all volunteers, the Air Race Classic, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to: encouraging and education current and future women pilots; increasing public awareness of general aviation; demonstrating women’s roles in aviation; preserving and promoting the tradition of pioneering women in aviation. 

 

As the host and Start airport for the event, race officials and participants will descend upon St. Louis Regional Airport and the surrounding communities for several days of pre-race preparations which include detailed event briefings, aircraft safety inspections, and celebratory gatherings all leading to the take-off event on the morning of Tuesday, June 23, 2026.  Look for future information to be shared on public viewing opportunities during the take-off event.

 

Sponsorships are available for promotion during the event.  Any media wishing to cover the Air Race Classic at St. Louis Regional Airport are encouraged to contact Danny Adams (dadams@stlouisregional.com) or 618-259-2531.

 

For more information about Air Race Classic Inc. or the Air Race Classic event, visit www.airraceclassic.org

  

About St. Louis Regional Airport:

The St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN), classified as an FAA Reliever Airport, provides more than 1,500 jobs with an annual economic impact of $480 million.  With two runways capable of handling a variety of aircrafts, the Airport serves a diverse clientele from private aviators to Fortune 500 companies, and regional aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul customers.  For more information, visit www.stlouisregional.com or follow on Facebook: St. Louis Regional Airport.

 

Thank you,

 

Danny Adams, A.A.E.

Airport Director

 

St. Louis Regional Airport

8 Terminal Drive

East Alton, IL 62024

o 618.259.2531

June General Aviation (and More!) Survey

By The Aero Experience Team

The Aero Experience looks back on the month of June in this General Aviation (and More!) Survey. Here we present a variety of aircraft types encountered during our visits to airports while covering stories from around the Midwest. We hope you enjoy this review of our aviation community!

In this edition, we feature the combined sightings from Creve Coeur Airport, Spirit of St. Louis Airport, St. Louis Downtown Airport and Perryville Regional Airport.