MONROE COUNTY — If you're in Bloomington or Monroe County, keep your eyes on the sky this weekend. There's a good chance you could see a plane that helped train service members during World War II.
Indiana's wing of the Commemorative Air Force is flying in several actual World War II planes for the Monroe County Airport's Aviation Weekend. The first plane, a BT-13 built in 1942, parked on the tarmac Friday afternoon.
"We educate, inspire and honor," said Tim Sparks, a Navy air veteran who pilots and maintains the BT-13 with the Commemorative Air Force. "I do that by having people come out and see this piece of living history."
Three planes will offer rides in the sky during the weekend: Sparks' BT-13, a Stearman, and a PT-26.
Sparks' BT-13 is an intermediate training plane used by both the Army and the Navy. He said he is inspired to keep in the air by the teenagers who learned to fly in a BT-13, including his father.
"He actually got winged shortly after Pearl Harbor," recalled Sparks. "He had a total of about 15 hours in the BT-13 and I now have more than 100 hours of flying one. Basically, I beat my dad at one thing."
Sparks is enthusiastic about the chance to take children between the ages of 8 and 17 up in the plane whenever he can.
"Unfortunately the online registration is all filled up, but if you show up, we'll make every effort to get them a ride," Sparks said.
The pilots will offer Aviation Weekend rides between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday and between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday, weather permitting.
Monroe County Airport Aviation Weekend starts with a free showing of Top Gun: Maverick in the IU Hangar on Friday at 8 p.m.
-
Where Caitlin Clark, Fever landed in WNBA GM survey
WNBA general managers did not have the Indiana Fever among the top three competitors for the WNBA championship this season.
Braun suggests Senate leadership change after primary losses
Gov. Mike Braun on Wednesday said Senate Republicans should consider changing leadership after this week’s primaries, though he did not call out anyone by name.
DNA match leads to arrest of 51-year-old man in decade-long serial rape case
IMPD, alongside other local agencies, says 51-year-old Leonel Catalan’s DNA matched evidence collected in multiple rape investigations dating back to 2013.
$2 million winning Mega Millions ticket sold in Kokomo
If you have the winning ticket, lottery officials advise that you keep your ticket in a secure place and contact Hoosier Lottery customer service at 1-800-955-6886 for specific claim instructions.
