The Shop and Save Westmoreland International Airshow 2025
Story and photos by Shawn Byers
The Westmoreland County Airshow was held on June 21st and 22nd, 2025 at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in picturesque Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of airshows at the airport. I only attended the Sunday airshow as I split the weekend with Dayton, but it went off without a hitch in clear skies.
Palmer Regional has commercial air service from Spirit Airlines and has two Fixed Base Operations (FBOs) so business jets and yellow Airbus aircraft are a common sight even during the airshow. I have always enjoyed the friendly sun angle from the south side of the single Runway, 06/24 at 8,200 feet in length.
Let’s talk quickly about the static displays as it will not take long. On the west side of the ramp, the C-54 “Berlin Airlift” and the C-53 “Beach City Baby” were parked. Aside from a few small General Aviation aircraft, that was the extent of the aircraft. This is not a complaint, just an observation that statics were light.
On the east end were those fun non-aviation statics like the Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile, a hot rod Shop and Save shopping cart and the Idaho Potato truck.
The show began with opening ceremonies at 1200 with the West Point Parachute Team who deployed from an Army Lakota Helicopter.
Erik Edgren performed an aerobatic demonstration in his red Taylorcraft. He would return later for a power off routine.
Thom Richard is flying a different Warbird this season but is still flying low and fast in the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat.
Patrick McAlee performed solo aerobatics in his Pitts S-1S.
Jerry Conley performed in his desert brown DeHavilland Vampire, “Vampy”.
The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team was one highlight for me as this was the only show on my schedule that we would be at together this season and my last chance to see this anniversary red, white and blue paint scheme.
The Class of ’45 was another highlight as this is one of my favorite performers on the circuit. Scott “Scooter” Yoak and Jim “Torc” Tobul fly individual aerobatic routines in their P-51 Mustang and F4U-4 Corsair, respectively before joining up in formation. The routine totals about 30 minutes long.
Erik Edgren returned for the aforementioned dead stick demonstration in his red Taylorcraft.
The Royal Canadian Forces Snowbirds closed the show. This was also the only show on my schedule that we would both be at.
It was a one day show but I had a great time and although I do not always attend this show from year to year, Dwayne Pickels is my guy who is an email away in coordinating my media visit. Thanks, Dwayne! Thank you, also to all the employees who make this show happen every year. Happy 100th Anniversary to the Westmoreland County Airshow!
