After its return to Chesterfield Airport in May of 2014, the Spirit of St. Louis Airshow planning committee said that it would return to the airport every two years. While there were enough participants for the show to return every year, the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels are only able to come to shows every two years due to high demands for the team to perform across the country.

This year, the airshow will be held May 14-15, with May 13 acting as a preview day for school and scouting groups, along with being a practice day for pilots who will be flying in the show. Blue Angels Seven flew into Chesterfield Airport in January to meet with and coordinate airshow efforts with St. Louis County officials and the airshow administration.

FHN Media will have reporters and a photographer at the event in May. Here’s five reasons you should go too.

1. The Blue Angels will make an appearance.

This elite team of performers are some of the U.S. Navy’s top pilots, practicing almost every day of the year out in the field and at their home of Pensacola, Fla.

2. Visitors can get up close and personal with the airplanes.

Throughout the event grounds, there will be aircraft of many kinds that visitors can get close enough with to touch. Some will be newer business jets for sale while others may be vintage biplanes that served as models for the rest of the aviation industry to build itself on. It’s suggested that visitors don’t touch the planes unless the owner gives explicit permission to do so.

3. Want to get over that fear of flying? There will be aerial tours in various aircraft.

Starting at 9 a.m. and running through 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, different organizations will offer approximately 10-minute-long tours in aircraft ranging from old Army Hueys to B-17s. Prices will be vary, though are expected to be $50 or more per ride as they were in 2014.

Photo Source: Ted Meyer

4. World-renowned, independent airshow pilots will perform for the masses.

Making an effort to please the crowds, airshow administration has locked in a visit from Patty Wagstaff, a famous airshow pilot. Wagstaff has made appearances in Europe, Asia and South America, as well as all over the United States. 

5. Visitors will be given the opportunity to learn more about STEM and how it affects society.

Whether they realize it or not, Science, Technology, Education and Math affect visitors’ everyday lives. Boeing, the Experimental Aircraft Association and many other local business will sponsor a tent where students, parents and other members of the community can come and see how different elements of their lives are tied to STEM. Photo Source: Gary Chambers

More information about the airshow can be found at Spirit-Airshow.com.