Duluth Air and Aviation Expo 2026
Story and photos by Del Laughery
Saturday, July 11, 2026, dawned brilliantly over Duluth International Airport. Skies were clear, visibility reasonable for a mid-summer day (unlike last year’s show which was heavily fogged in through late morning), and expectations were high, despite the unfortunate lack of any USAF or USN fighter demo teams on the schedule, as there were more than enough thrilling performers to meet most everyone’s need for speed. This was my second time at the Duluth Air and Aviation Expo, and this year’s much-improved weather forecast gave me reason to hope for a warm day, a cool breeze, and crisp, vivid photos. All of which were realized thanks to mother nature, my Nikon hardware, and the extraordinary show volunteers and supporting businesses at the airport.
An important aspect of the show is its orientation along the south side of runway 9/27. My guess is that most air show spectators don’t think about it much, but this places the sun behind the crowd, who face north, and provides for well-lit subjects as they pass left and right during their well-rehearsed routines. One need only attend a show such as Thunder Over New Hampshire – where the southwest-facing crowd oriented along the northeast side of runway 16/24 puts the sun in the crowd’s face by late morning (for the remainder of the day) – to realize how much better the experience is when not observing, or photographing, under such difficult conditions, and how lucky Minnesotans are at this annual affair.
Should you have the opportunity to attend the Expo, take the time to buy a Photo Tour ticket. This puts you on a guided tour of the ramp where many of the show’s performers are parked, and later the static displays within the show grounds, in the early morning. Show time for the tour is 7:00A. At this time of morning, it’s still relatively cool, the sun angles are wonderful, and you get to walk around with like-minded aviation nuts who just like being near airplanes. While the tour is conducted by air show volunteers, it’s hosted by Vantage Aviation, an exceptional Fixed Base Operator (FBO) just east of the roped-off air show grounds, whose friendly staff welcomed us into their lounge to wait for the tour to start. Vantage also welcomed, fed, and hydrated many of the show volunteers and performers throughout the day, at no cost, from their hangar staffed by additional company employees who were nearly parental in their desire to care for the people who make this show a reality.
Admission tickets range from a simple, and reasonably-priced day pass, to reserved seats on the flight line, to the far more expensive Presidential Chalet which offers food, drink, and limited protection from the sun. The gates opened to the general public at 9:00A. By that time, we Photo Tour folks had taken our pictures of the parked flying acts and static displays without a single additional (and yes, unwanted) person in the shot, and had staked out our spot for the show along the rope barrier facing the runway. The show was officially opened by the singing of the National Anthem accompanied by the USAF Wings of Blue parachute team, jumping from a Minnesota ANG C-130H, displaying an intensely lit American flag towed behind the jumper beneath his blue & white canopy.
Notably present at this year’s show was the Duluth-based Minnesota ANG 148th Fighter Wing’s F-16s, a C and a D-model, who beat up the landing pattern in both high-speed and slow-speed flight regimes. My personal favorite was a formation pass while in landing configuration.
Also showing her aerobatic talent was Britt Lincoln in her Extra 330SC. Britt gives this aircraft a demanding workout during her routine. As a result, the aircraft is built tough, with a +/- 10g max load factor, the Lycoming AEIO-580 six-cylinder engine mounted to a titanium fire wall, and extensive use of carbon fiber in the wings and tail structures. I’m hoping to connect with Britt during EAA’s Air Venture, and will bring you more about her aviation journey, and the aircraft, if I’m able to do so.
An act I’m not terribly familiar with is Third Strike Wingwalking who flew in from Canada to wow the crowd with a barnstorming-style display flying a stunning red 1940 Boeing Stearman. Atop the aircraft is an eerily small support post that wing walker Carol Pilon uses during the display. Some might think her certifiable, but the crowd loved the display and gave her some much-deserved applause at the end of the breath-taking routine.
Other air show stalwarts at this year’s show were the USAF Thunderbirds flying their F-16s, one of Ace Maker’s Canadair CT-133s, the aggressively-flown Commemorative Air Force’s North American B-25J “Miss Mitchell,” and the striking Lim-5, a Polish licensed-built MiG-17F. There was also quite a bit of heavy USAF metal on aerial display.
A Boeing KC-46A, Boeing KC-135R, and Boeing C-17A, took off in quick succession and performed quite a long, albeit slow-paced, airborne display that included mock in-flight refueling and very low approaches over the runway.
Notably not present were the aforementioned USAF and USN fighter demo teams. Last year’s show had both the F-35 and the F-22, so the absence of chest-rattling fighters left a tangible gap. Also missing was Thunderbird 5, flown by Cody Vickerman, leaving only five aircraft for the display which resulted in no opposing solo maneuvers or the typical six-ship formation. Finally, B-25D “Rosies Reply” remained parked due to a brake issue that got resolved too late to fit the rare early-model Mitchell into the day’s flying schedule.
While the show is just one week prior to EAA’s Air Venture in Oshkosh, WI, Duluth is a worth-while show. Access to, and egress from, the airport is quick and easy. Parking is relatively close to the entrances, but be ready for long lines and associated long waits at the gates, particularly if you’re bringing a bag with you. Being in line by 8:00A will get you inside the grounds soon after the gates open, and your wait will occur during a cooler part of the day, so leave home early enough to do so.
