While the government shutdown canceled the headlining Blue Angels, the California International Airshow Salinas featured a lineup of performers, including the retirement performance of Bob Freeman.
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One big aviation family
Sometimes a fly-in plan comes together perfectly as was the case for the Carolinas Virginia Antique Airplane Foundation 2025 fall fly-in at historic Woodward Field (KCDN) in Camden, South Carolina.
Beech Party celebrates American Aviation History
A highlight of Beech Party 2025 was the opening of the American Aviation History exhibit at the Beechcraft Heritage Museum.
Warbirds West
The Planes of Fame Central Coast Airfest is an innovative effort by the oldest warbird museum collection to leverage its crowd-pleasing warbirds at a venue that will host the museum’s new facility at Santa Maria Airport (KSMX) in California.
Tales from the 2025 Swift National Fly-In
Gorgeous blue skies, puffy white clouds, and comfortable temperatures were the backdrop for the Swift National Fly-In, held Oct. 1-5, 2025, at McMinn County Airport (KMMI) in Athens, Tennessee. There was a good turnout, with at least 24 Swifts flying in.
From Music City to the STOL national finals
After 10 nationwide meets in 2025, beginning in April with the Swamp STOL in Jennings, Louisiana, the National STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) series wraps up with the Lonestar STOL and National Finals in Sulphur Springs Texas.
New documentary showcases GA in South Africa
The 13-minute documentary explores how general aviation connects people and communities, whether on rural farms where airplanes provide a lifeline or at Sling Aircraft in Johannesburg, which produces aircraft that are flown worldwide, according to AOPA officials.
Video: Not your regular air show
“If the snarl of two dozen roaring warbirds wasn’t enough in the skies over Santa Maria, California, on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, at mid-day a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from nearby Vandenberg (Space Force Base) lit up the sky as air show visitors and participants watched in awe,” Fred said.
Video: Planes of Fame air show highlights
Fred Johnsen, the force behind the Airailimages YouTube channel and General Aviation News Of Wings & Things columnist, recently posted a video to YouTube of some of the action at the 2025 Planes of Fame Santa Maria Central Coast Airfest.