Washington County Airport Fly-In Produces Fly Baby Reunion

By Carmelo Turdo

This year's Washington County Airport fly-in attracted a number of interesting aircraft and new visitors to this area. Young Eagle flights were given in a variety of aircraft, such as a Socata TB 9, Ercoupe 415-C, Cessna 150F, and Taylorcraft BC-12D.  A major portion of the day was dedicated to the three Fly Babies that arrived mid-morning, and one in particular, N175X. This aircraft was built by Winnie Wackwitz, an 87-year-old aviatrix, around 20 years ago. She eventually sold it and was under the impression it was parted out and scrapped. She did not know that the same airplane is alive and well and flying out of Columbia Sackman airport. Her daughter, Dena, tracked the Fly Baby down and contacted the current owner for this reunion.

Fly-In and Young Eagle Flights:

Fly Baby Reunion:

20th Anniversary American Waco Club Fly-In Held at Dauster Flying Field

By Mark Nankivil

The American Waco Club held its 20th Anniversary Fly-In at Dauster Flying Field (Creve Coeur Airport) in west St. Louis County recently.  It was great to see familiar faces, and some new ones, along with a variety of aircraft.  The annual event offers an opportunity for Waco owners and others to converge on this Midwest airfield and experience 1930s-40s aviation.  On Friday, June 8, aircraft arrived for display at Dauster Flying Field, and on Saturday they flew out to Aero Estates in Belleville, IL for breakfast. 

Sightings: U.S. Navy T-45C Goshawk Layover at St. Louis Downtown Airport

By Carmelo Turdo

A U.S. Navy T-45C Goshawk from TW-2 at NAS Kingsville, TX recently stopped at St. Louis Downtown Airport on a cross-country flight. Once on the ground, the crew discovered a nitrogen leak in the right main landing gear that kept the aircraft grounded at the airport for nearly a week. During that time, a contract maintenance crew repaired the aircraft, and it was flown back to Texas. It is unusual to see a tactical military jet at the airport, although military helicopters visit on a regular basis.