Siouxland Magazine - Volume 1 Issue 4

as the “Stearman”. If an aspiring aviator wanted to earn his
wings, he started in the iconic bi-plane, which was sturdily built
to withstand the abuse of flight students. The open cockpit
airplane had a maximum speed of 135 miles per hour. A ride
in the fully aerobatic Stearman brings back the wind-in-your
hair feeling of the early days of flying.
The aircraft will be located at the Sioux Gateway
Airport. Parking and entrance gates are located
at the south end of the field at 6121 Pershing
St., Sioux City. The Mid America Museum of
Aviation and Transportation is located just off
Harbor Drive on the northeast corner of the field
at 2600 Expedition Ct., Sioux City, IA 51111.
Plenty of parking is available at both sites.
A big band dance will feature the Mearl Lake Orchestra and
VIP access to The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) crew on
Saturday August 10 at the air museum. To purchase tickets go
to www.midamericaairmuseum.org. To book a ride on any of
the CAF aircraft, go to www.airpowertour.org.
Collecting aircraft for nearly a half a century, the CAF now ranks
as one of the largest air forces in the world. Today the CAF has
approximately 13,000 members and a fleet of more than 175
aircraft representing more than 60 different types, including
planes from several foreign countries and other military
conflicts since World War II. The CAF was founded to acquire,
restore and preserve in flying condition a complete collection
of combat aircraft which were flown by all military services of
the United States, and selected aircraft of other nations, for the
education and enjoyment of present and future generations of
Americans.
The airshow will be open to the public from 9
a.m. until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday,
August 7-11. Access to the ramp where the
warbirds are parked is $15 for adults, $9 for
children ages 10-17 and free for children nine
and under. Supporting aircraft will be offering
rides all five days. The B-29 flies on Saturday
and Sunday at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Cockpit
tours of the B-29 will be available beginning at
9 a.m., except on Saturday and Sunday when
they will begin at noon.
The ramp fee includes free admission to
the Mid America Museum of Aviation and
transportation, located at the airport at 2600
Expedition Ct., Sioux City IA 51111. Additional
information about the museum can be found at
MidAmericaAirMuseum.org.
Siouxland Siouxland Magazine |
Magazine Enjoy | Design / 63 Issue / 21
The Headquarters of the CAF is located in Dallas, TX. CAF
members live in every state and 28 foreign countries. In 26
states and four foreign countries, members have joined
together and formed units to foster camaraderie and, in many
cases, actively support one or more of the classic military
aircraft operated by the CAF.
More than just a collection of airworthy warplanes from the
past, the CAF’s fleet of historic aircraft, known as the CAF Ghost
Squadron, recreate, remind and reinforce the lessons learned
from the defining moments in American military aviation
history in a living tribute to the men and women who built,
maintained and flew them.
Jacques Robitaille is the Public Information Officer with the
CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron.
Pam Mickelson serves as president of the board of directors
for the air museum. She retired as professor and chair of
business at Morningside College.
Photo Credit: CAF B-29/B-24 Squadron