Public invited to take advance flight in World War II B-17 Bomber that will kick off Fair Saint Louis Air Shows

Spectators attending the first Fair Saint Louis Air Show of 2013 will get a special treat, as a World War II B-17 bomber takes to the skies over downtown St. Louis. The restored aircraft, known as Aluminum Overcast, will kick off the air show festivities at noon on July 4 as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA) 2013 National Experience History Tour. During the aircraft’s stop in St. Louis, the public will also have a chance to get an up close view of the plane via onsite ground tours, and will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a flight in the historic aircraft.

The EAA’s touring Aluminum Overcast was built in 1945, but was delivered to the Army Corps too late to see active service in World War II. In 1981, it was donated to the EAA Aviation Foundation, which works to maintain the aircraft’s airworthy condition. Today, the plane is one of just 13 B-17s that remain airworthy and one of only two that is still licensed to carry passengers.

While in St. Louis, the aircraft will be parked at St. Louis Downtown Airport in Cahokia, Ill., where history buffs looking to experience the plane from the air can take a special flight “mission” with EAA. Special pre-book rates are available for EAA members and the general public. The pre-book cost for EAA members is $409, while non-members who pre-book can fly for $449. Those interested in pre-booking a flight should visit www.B17.org or contact EAA’s tour office at 1-800-359-6217. The onsite price for mission flights is $435 for EAA members and $475 for non-members. Onsite booking information is available by calling 920-371-2244. Public flights will be offered July 2nd and 3rd  at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

In between the public flights, ground tours will be offered. For an individual rate of $10, spectators will get a first-hand look at the inside and the outside of the aircraft while it is stationary. A special ground tour rate of $20 is available for families with children up to age 17, while veterans and active duty military can tour for free. Children 8 and under can also tour for free with a paying adult.                                     

“The B-17 bomber is considered one of the greatest military airplanes ever built and one of the best known types of aircrafts from the World War II era,” said George Daubner, EAA B-17 Operations Manager. “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the aircraft to St. Louis and to give area residents a chance to see it in action and learn more about the plane in such hands-on and up-close ways.”

The Aluminum Overcast’s stop in St. Louis represents one of 40 stops the bomber will make during the EAA’s 2013 National Experience History Tour, which runs through December. For more information on the EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA or visit www.eaa.org.

The Bi-State Development Agency/Metro (BSDA/Metro) is the operator of the Metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; 374 MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 75 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 121 vans.

BSDA/Metro also owns and operates St. Louis Downtown Airport and its surrounding industrial business park, and the Gateway Arch Riverboats, as well as operates the Gateway Arch Revenue Collections Center, the Gateway Arch Transportation System, and the Gateway Arch Parking Facility.