Aviation News
AMERICAN BARNSTORMERS TOUR TAKES OFF FROM MASON CITY IN JUNE Lakeland, FL – March 10, 2010 - The American Barnstormers Tour, a nostalgic salute to the barnstormers who ventured across America during the 1920s seeking fame and fortune in their biplanes, is scheduled to visit Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota on their third biannual tour this summer. Twenty meticulously restored vintage aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s will journey through the northern Great Plains states on a seven-city tour from June 17th through July 5th, 2010. Admission is free and these rare aircraft can be seen at the following cities:
- June 17-19 Mason City, IA - Mason City Airport (KMCW)
- June 20-22 Tea, SD - Marv Skie-Lincoln Airport (Y14)
- June 23 Watertown, SD - Watertown Regional Airport (KATY)
- June 24-26 Aberdeen, SD - Aberdeen Regional Airport (KABR)
- June 27-29 Bismarck, ND - Bismarck Airport (KBIS)
- June 30-July 2 Jamestown, ND - Jamestown Regional Airport (KJMS)
- July 3-5 Alexandria, MN - Chandler Field Airport (KAXN)
 Each day the aircraft will take to the skies for the “Barnstormers Parade of Flight” with master of ceremonies, EAA Radio on-air personality, Jeff Montgomery. Jeff will entertain the crowd with his unique announcing style while they hear tall tales of barnstorming and learn the history of each biplane as the pilots fly overhead.
Spectators can even experience the thrill of open cockpit flight for themselves and go barnstorming in a beautifully restored Travel Air, New Standard, or Stearman vintage biplane. Biplane rides will be available daily weather permitting. All barnstormers will participate in recreating the era with period costumes, aircraft signs, historical information, and vintage props.
“These aren’t airplanes, they’re Time Machines” said tour organizer Clay Adams. “Our tour gives people from all over the country the chance to travel back in time and experience the same sights, sounds, and excitement they would have felt some 80 years ago as they looked out across the fields and saw the Barnstormers on the horizon.”
The period between the end of World War I and the United States' entry into World War II is remembered as “The Golden Age of Aviation,” and it truly was. Barnstorming tours, trophy races, and record-setting flights all captured the public’s attention as they raced to see the daring flocks of birdman, and take their first flight in an open cockpit airplane.
The American Barnstormers Tour was born under the wing of an antique Travel Air biplane on a grass airfield in Iowa. In the company of friends and vintage biplane pilots plans were formed to resurrect the barnstorming tours of the 1920s, where many local citizens would see their first airplane up close, or perhaps spend a few dollars for their first flight. Tour organizers Clay Adams and Sarah Wilson saw an opportunity to give visitors from all backgrounds a unique vantage point to connect the past with the present. What started as just a dream has blossomed into a real barnstorming revival. Proving that vintage aviation is alive and thriving in America and coming to an airport near you.
 The first American Barnstormers Tour lifted off in 2006 with 17 airplanes from Kalamazoo, MI and traveled through 5 states to end at Air Venture in Oshkosh, WI. The response was tremendous; it reinforced our belief that people were still excited to see these beautiful aircraft and take their first biplane ride. In 2008 the Tour flew westward into America’s Heartland and grew to 19 aircraft and 45 crew members. We estimate more than 20,000 people traveled to see the Tour and we nearly doubled the number of biplane rides; flying a record 3590 passengers in 15 days.
The Tour aircraft will be on display from approximately 10am to 6pm (weather permitting). Biplane rides are available for $60.00 per passenger, no reservations and Stearman 'hands-on flights' for $200.00, reservations accepted. For more information visit the American Barnstormers web site at www.americanbarnstormerstour.com
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For press flights or media information contact:
Sarah Wilson-Public Relations
863-286-4103
pr@americanbarnstormerstour.com
www.AmericanBarnstormersTour.com
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