Let me be clear — I think the Midwest Aviation Expo is the premiere event I’ve ever attended for pilots to take demonstration flights in several aircraft as they consider a purchase. That’s a major benefit.
Sure, Sun ‘n Fun, Aero Friedrichshafen, and AirVenture Oshkosh are far larger… and that’s the problem. Size does matter but not always the way you think.
At these wonderfully huge events, you have so much to see and so many people to talk to that you cannot get to everyone. When you do end up in the front of a waiting line to talk to a vendor, you may have be quick as many others are waiting and the vendor wants to serve all the customers he or she can. The sheer size of these events also means literally miles of walking on some days. I don’t even want to mention the lines of plastic portapottys baking in the sun. Whew!
Instead, come relax in Mt. Vernon (KMVN), now the longest-running light aviation-focused event in the country. Yep, this is their 16th year, making it the grandaddy of such events.
Comfortably after Oshkosh, on September 5-6-7, 2024, Midwest Aviation Expo is a calm and thoroughly enjoyable gathering. They’ve selected this date carefully and weather has usually been excellent. The area around the airport is wide open, very accommodating of demo flights.
“Several Sponsorships and Partnerships are in place and some 9-10 new Exhibitors are registered,” said lead organizer Jana Filip. Vendors commonly return year after year; see articles below. “Chris Collins will be going to Oshkosh to promote the event.”
Articles on Midwest Expo:
- Last year’s opening article; shows many vendors that will be returning
- 2023 article about Midwest as it matched Sebring Expo for “longest-running”
- Article from 2022 about the value of these smaller shows
- Midwest Aviation Expo, official website
Midwest Brain Trust — Chris Collins (R) talks with aides including Jana Filip at Midwest 2023.
Put on for 16 years by the airport run by longtime manager Chris Collins, this event has every single year gotten rave reviews for how well everyone is treated when they attend Midwest. Vendors love it and pilots love it. Um, so do we media types. It’s great for us, too, as we work to gather information and images.
Midwest always hosts a series of forums that have proven increasingly popular. One reason: they take place inside, where it’s quiet and cool. You also have access to an excellent airport restaurant plus other services. Not least: regular bathrooms. Tell me you don’t wish for that while occupying a plastic portapotty at one of the big shows on a scorching hot day. A fellow aviation journalist once sighed and said, “Yeah, nothing like porcelain.” I won’t go into further detail.
See. Fly! Perhaps Buy?
I made a long career out of helping pilots choose the right aircraft to buy. I’ve tried to provide good, reliable, unbiased information to aid your selection. I’m pleased to have created thousands of articles and videos but the absolute best way to know if an airplane is right for you is to try it on for size and take it aloft.
Rebadged for 2024, Midwest Aviation Expo — formerly the Midwest Light-Sport Aircraft Expo — may be the best place I’ve ever been to get time in aircraft. I urge you to make arrangements with vendors ahead of time as their flight schedules can get filled but you could fly 5 or more different aircraft if you set your mind to it.
That is the #1 best way I know to select your dream plane. Follow the opportunity and go to Mt. Vernon in early September. It’s about an hour’s drive east of St. Louis, Missouri.
But, first…!
Going to Oshkosh?
Got News We Can Report?
If you are a vendor, or a builder who finished a handsome kit, or someone with a great aviation story to tell, we want to hear about it.
I know, I know… if you are a vendor, you’re so busy about now that stopping work to tell your story is often not a priority. I get it.
Yet in a mere five minutes of downtime, you could inform us generally of what you are preparing so we can try to check out your project at the big Wisconsin show.
Send news to: Editor
You’re going to a lot trouble making your aircraft look its best and planning how to best display it. You’ll spend plenty of money to make it happen — and I hope it’ll be totally worth it.
Take five minutes to tell us your story. You inform us. We’ll tell pilots. Attendees can plan what they need to see when they arrive at the big show. Everyone smiles.
Airplane noise — here we come! 😎
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