September 28, 2017

‘Wings over Southern Illinois Fly-In’ is Saturday

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Students with Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s aviation technologies program are offering a unique fly-in this weekend as part of Family Weekend festivities. 

Aviation Technologies Ambassadors, a registered student organization, is hosting a “Wings Over Southern Illinois Fly-In” at Southern Illinois Airport, located between Murphysboro and Carbondale. The event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30.

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to attend the event at Southern Illinois Airport, between Carbondale and Murphysboro. For more information, contact Abbie Parsons, fly-in coordinator and a senior in aviation technologies, at abbiep27@siu.edu or 330/312/4045.

Organizers expect numerous private aircraft to be at the airport for visitors to walk around and admire. There also will be free Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles discovery flights for children ages 8-17 years old.  In addition, discovery flights for people who are 18 and older where passengers sit in the cockpit of a Cessna 172 with a flight instructor and take controls will be available for $50. 

The event is a “great way to bring the communities out to enjoy a day at our local airport and experience the fun of aviation,” Thomas Swehla, a senior in aviation technologies and the aviation technologies ambassadors’ president, said. Proceeds from the event will go back to the registered student organization to expand the event in the future, he said. 

There also will be 30-minute sightseeing flights over the Carbondale-Murphysboro area available for $20. Tours of the university’s aviation facilities, including the Transportation Education Center, will be available every hour. Lunch will be available to buy. 

In addition to the aircraft, the Saluki Formula Racing Team, a registered student organization out of the College of Engineering, will have its open-wheel racecar on display.  The car is in car shows, autocross events and SAE-sanctioned competitions.