Luverne airport to host mini air show, grand reopening

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LUVERNE — Pancakes, a mini air show, plane rides for the kids, tours of a World War II-era DC-3 and an appearance by the Vanguard Squadron are all on tap for this weekend’s celebration and grand reopening of Quentin Aanenson Air Field in Luverne.

Darrell Gilmore, owner of Great Plains Avionics Services and fixed base operator at Luverne’s airport since May, said the celebration marks the completion of the runway extension and addition of several new lighting features at the airport.

Luverne, once home to the shortest municipal runway in Minnesota, completed the expansion project in late July, taking the runway from 2,500 feet to 4,200 feet in length, with a new width of 75 feet. The increased size makes it possible for the airport to accommodate jets and larger twin engine aircraft, Gilmore said.

Events on Friday will highlight the improvements, offer information to the public and pilots and celebrate the project’s completion.

Duggy, a World War II-era DC-3, will fly into Luverne Thursday night from Fargo, N.D., and will be open for public tours both Friday and Saturday.

Duggy, termed the “Original Smile in the Sky,” was actually used to transport troops during World War II, said Gilmore. The plane has a permanent base at the Fargo Air Museum and flies out for special events to teach people about the history of aviation.

“Inside that airplane is a pictorial history of flight,” said Gilmore. “It’s like a flying museum.”

He said plans are to invite the school kids out Friday to tour Duggy and also to meet with representatives from a couple of aviation schools.

Also on Friday, Gilmore has invited manufacturing representatives from various aviation-related industries to provide information to pilots and show their wares from 12:30 to 5 p.m. The representatives will also be available Saturday morning.

Saturday’s events at the airport include a Fly-In Breakfast hosted by the Luverne Hockey Association from 7 to 11 a.m., free airplane rides from 8 a.m. to noon, a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony at 1 p.m., and a mini air show at 2 p.m.

The free airplane rides are being offered to youths ages 8 to 18 by the Experimental Aircraft Association from Tea, S.D., on Saturday. The flights will take riders over the Blue Mounds north of Luverne and last about 20 minutes.

The afternoon air show will include parachute jumpers, a performance by aerobatic pilot Steve Falon, an appearance by the ethanol-powered Vanguard Squadron stunt pilots and a display of ethanol-fueled airplanes being researched by engineering students at South Dakota State University in Brookings.

Both Friday and Saturday, the Palace Theater in downtown Luverne will show the movie, “Thunder over Reno,” which features Duggy and two other aircraft that will be in town for the weekend celebration.

Tags: state and region, news, luverne, airport