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Celebrate Aviation at the Best Airshows in the Midwest 2019

airshow calendarThe 2019 Airshow Calendar is Full of Feats of Flying

Do you love watching planes perform gravity-defying rolls, loops, twists? Does the roar of jet engines make your heart race? Do like speed? If you this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Check out the 2019 airshow calendar. There’s nothing like experiencing one of these adrenaline-inducing event to celebrate aviation and the men and women pilots.

According to the International Council of Air Shows, an estimated 10-12 million people will witness amazing feats of flying at one (or more) of the many airshows in North America.

At BuffPro, we are aviation enthusiasts and always look forward to local airshows that signal the start of the summer season. While there are plenty of great airshows to fill your calendar from May through November, and we’ve put together a list of our upcoming favorites from the Midwest with not-to-be-missed highlights.

Cape Girardeau Air Festival

May 18-19 ● Gates open at 9 a.m. ● Show starts at 11:30 a.m. ● Admission – visit website for ticket prices

Established in 1995, the Cape Girardeau Air Festival touts itself as one of the best airshow in the Midwest. The Blue Angels of the United States Navy and Marine Corps will demonstrate pulse-pounding maneuvers in their FA-18 Hornets and the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team will put on aerial demonstrations. Civilian airshow pilots like Skip Stewart and Joe Shetterly will showcase their skill behind the stick as they perform aerobatics.

If you’re a speed lover behind the wheel, Precision Exotics will offer attendees the opportunity to book rides in some of the most sought-after exotic cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche.

Salute to Veterans

May 25-26 ● Gates open at 9 a.m. ● Show starts at 11:30 a.m. ● Admission and Parking FREE

Next on our airshow calendar is the Salute to Veterans show. This year marks the 31st anniversary of the celebration. Featuring a one hour “Salute to the Nation,” attendees will hear our national anthem, a 21-gun salute, a reading of the 225 names on the Veterans Memorial at the courthouse, and a performance of “Taps.” Also, guests will see U.S. Army and Air Force Parachute Teams as well as routines from the Mizzou Joint Service Drill Team with cadets from the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force.

If you attend this airshow you will also see in action a WWII T-6 trainer (“Radial Velocity”), the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, Huey helicopter, Skyraider, the Lockheed T-33, and more.

Minnesota Air Spectacular

June 15-16 ● Admission – visit website for ticket prices

With the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as a headliner, this adrenaline-rushing show promises to be fun for all ages! Guest will also see aerobatic performances from Mike Wiskus of Lucas Airshows, Kent Pietsch, Neal Darnell and Shockwave, John Klatt, and many more.

Vectren Dayton Airshow

June 22-23 ● Gates open at 9 a.m. ● Show starts at noon ● Admission – visit website for ticket prices

The Vectren Dayton airshow is an event for the whole family, from the breathtaking aerial maneuvers of the Air Force’s Thunderbirds to the Kids’ Hangar featuring a supersized sandbox and face painting.

If you ever dreamed of hopping aboard some of the U.S. Army’s most famous aircraft now is your chance. Airshow guests will have the opportunity to ride in Huey and Cobra helicopters.

Some of the coolest aircraft in the United States’ arsenal will also be on display for fans to check out including the A-10 and the P-8A Poseidon.

Fair St. Louis Airshow

July 4-6 ● Admission FREE

Billed as America’s biggest birthday party, Fair St. Louis features airshows during its three-day celebration. Attendees can expect to see the A-10 “Warthog” and the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team as well as aerobatics from AeroShell, Jeff Boerboon, and others.

Chicago Air and Water Show

August 17-18 ● Hours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ● Admission FREE

Chicago’s Air and Water Show is the largest free show of its kind in the United States and has been around for over 60 years. This year’s headliners include the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Royal Air Force Red Arrows.

Attendees will also see demonstrations from military parachute teams as well as from the F-22, Osprey, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and more. Civilian teams like Bill Stein, the Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue, Susan Dacy, the Firebirds (any many others) are scheduled to showcase their aircrafts’ unparalleled speed and maneuverability.

Spirit of St. Louis & STEM Expo

September 7-8 ● Hours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. ● Admission – visit website for ticket prices

The spirit of St. Louis airshow offers a dynamic roster of aerial performers. This year the U.S. Navy Blue Angels return to the show and are joined for the first time by the Royal Airforce jet team for an unprecedented Spirit of St. Louis Airshow.

Guests will also watch the Sky Soldiers perform a unique demonstration of aerial maneuvers in the AH-IF Cobra and UH-1 Huey helicopters. The Special Kay, a WWII aircraft used for counterinsurgency and special operations, is making its first appearance at the airshow.

If you are a fan of history and heritage, there will be an array of prop planes executing demonstrations including Aeroshell Aerobatic Team and the Texas Riders performing in the B-17G Flying Fortress.

Unlike other events on the 2019 airshow calendar, the Spirit of St. Louis show includes exhibits from companies specializing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math).

BuffPro Helps Polish Your Plane with Ease

Everyone at BuffPro shares your aviation enthusiasm and supports those in the industry. If you are a pilot, hanger owner, or corporate aviation firm we know how important it is to keep your planes polished and clean without spending hours detailing each one.

Our BuffPro Buffer can help you create that perfect polish on your aviation equipment in up to half the time of traditional buffers.

Order your kit today and begin polishing like a pro. Not sure which kit to start with? Contact our customer service professionals for assistance at 1-800-699-4160.

Why the BuffPro Polishing Buffer Beats More Traditional Buffers

The BuffPro Buffer is the best polishing buffer on the market because it serves as the only available electrically operated drum style buffer.

But what does that mean? First, let’s address how a traditional rotary design works. This will help showcase the advantages of BuffPro’s innovative method over other buffing systems.

Traditional Buffers
Traditional buffers utilize a rotary design with a gear drive. This means the auger, (the threaded part to which the backing plate attaches), is driven directly off the electric motor. This connection results in a very powerful rotating motion. When used by a novice, the power of a rotary buffer can remove paint in a matter of seconds.

Additionally, there are a few other cons that accompany traditional rotary polishing buffers. These include:

  • Hard to use – These buffers are meant for professionals and require both skill and expertise to operate. If you use a rotary buffer and are not experienced in its use, you can easily apply too much pressure and burn right through the painted surface.
  • Time-Consuming and Swirls – If you're looking for like-new results, using a rotary polishing buffer simply means more work. You will have to go over an entire surface at least twice. The first time for removing defects, and a second time to remove any swirls left by the first pass. In fact, traditional rotary buffers can leave swirl marks, even when used carefully.
  • Tiresome and Uncomfortable – Using a rotary buffer requires a lot of upper body and back strength. Consider how fatigued a rotary buffer might leave you… and when you’re tired, costly mistakes may happen.

The BuffPro Buffer Difference: Get Beautiful Results in HALF the Time

Imagine being able to complete a full buff and polish in up to half the time you spend now. Everything about BuffPro has been designed so that professional and amateurs get the best shine with the least time and effort.

The BuffPro Polishing Buffer:

  • Revolutionizes the manner in which surfaces are buffed and polished by changing the powered motion from a rotary rotation with a disc to an axial motion with a drum.
  • Removes swirl marks and RESTORES shine to motor vehicles and other polished surfaces. (It is literally impossible to make swirl marks with BuffPro.)
  • Creates better efficiency for its users by reducing buffing time by up to 50%
  • Minimizes splatters and is easy to use
  • Lowers costs associated with materials (uses less buffing compound and fewer pads) and professional labor (reduces training time)
This is a picture of a Buff pro Buffer and several small containers of the polish used to polish with the buffer

The BuffPro is Loved by Professionals and Amateurs Alike

Many professionals who use the BuffPro get ROI on the machine in only a few weeks. It is easy to train anyone on its use. Furthermore, hourly employees' time to buff is cut in half.

And as for novices and DIYers, they love the BuffPro polishing buffer. Even a complete amateur can do a professional polishing job the very first time.

Auto, RV, Marine, and Aviation detailing professionals and enthusiasts alike will appreciate the quality, craftsmanship, and performance of the BuffPro. See our instructional video here and get your own here today!

Picking the Best Polisher/Buffer for Your Automotive Project

ARE YOU USING THE RIGHT AUTO BUFFER/POLISHER?

Trying to achieve AND maintain that showroom shine? It’s important to have the right auto buffer for your car detailing job. Challenges on the surface of your motor vehicle can be tough to tackle, and the thought of the time-consuming and expensive process that it takes to fix those issues can keep many people from attempting to do anything about it.

From heavy oxidation, uneven surfaces, scratches, and swirl marks, you don't have to dread solving your paint issues – you just need the right auto buffer for the job.

To get that professional shine, we’ve compiled a list of the top questions we hear when people are shopping for that perfect polisher and buffer.

#1. What paint issues will the buffer fix on the surface of my motor vehicle?
You want a buffer that can take on uneven surfaces, orange peel, scratches, and oxidation easily. These are common blemishes you definitely want to be able to erase. The right auto buffer will be able to handle the job.

This is a picture of a car that has been polished with Buff Pro .

#2. What paint issues will the buffer fix on the surface of my motor vehicle?
You want a buffer that can take on uneven surfaces, orange peel, scratches, and oxidation easily. These are common blemishes you definitely want to be able to erase. The right auto buffer will be able to handle the job.

#3. Is the buffer and polisher versatile?
Ideally, you want one simple to use tool for all materials and problems. You want a buffer that can polish any relatively flat, smooth surface. Additionally, reusable buffing/polishing pads are a major plus. Washable pads can be used again and again.

#4. Is it comfortable for extended use?
You don’t want your arms to feel like they’re about to fall off by the time you finish an entire car… so comfort is important. Look for an auto buffer that keeps hand and wrist fatigue to a minimum. This is especially important for professionals - you want a product you can use all day long without discomfort.

#5. Is it easy to use?
This is crucial from a professional standpoint - an easy to use polisher/buffer can reduce training time, thus saving you time and money. For the DIY-ers out there, this is important because you don’t want to spend forever trying to figure out a complicated, bulky, or hard to use buffer or polisher. Find an auto buffer that everyone can use - from amateurs to professionals.

#6. Is it efficient?
Efficiency could be the most valuable of all the criteria. You want a polisher and buffer to be accurate, effective, and smart by design so you can restore a high-gloss, durable shine in fewer steps and with less hassle. Why? Because in the end, it will save you time and money for a few reasons, including:

  • Less mess and time spent on cleanup
  • Lower costs associated with labor and materials
  • Less buffing compound and fewer pads needed
  • Less time spent polishing and buffing (Imagine being able to complete a full buff and polish in half the time you spend now!)

#7. What about results?
A common problem with polishers and buffers is the dreaded SWIRL MARKS that are left behind. Pick a tool that, by design, eliminates existing swirl marks and holograms and does not leave new ones for the best results. After all that work, you want results that you can see. Go for a product that will give you visually stunning finish.

Marine-RV Restoration Kit

LOVED BY PROFESSIONALS & AMATEURS ALIKE

The BuffPro Buffer outshines the competition in terms of performance and results. BuffPro is a non-rotary, swirl-free, sling-free electric buffer/polisher that’s so easy to use an amateur can get a premium shine in half the time.  With our one-of-a-kind BuffPro and metal polishing system, you’ll never need any other buffing and polishing tool again.

Order your BuffPro Buffer today and start saving time.