The Experimental Aircraft Association, local Chapter 291, has awarded 14-year-old Kevin Farias with a $4,000 "Matching Funds Award". This award will pay not only to attend group school but will pay for his aircraft rental and instructor expenses. This award is given to those who truly desire to pursue a career in aviation. Kevin's interest in aviation began after his father spent 11 years as a pilot in in the US Navy. Farias said, "I feel encouraged so that maybe in the future I can get my pilots license and then maybe one day I can apply for Naval Academy in Annapolis." 

On behalf of everyone at the Mid America Museum of Aviation and Transportation we wish you good luck, Kevin! 
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Check out the link below to see the video:

http://www.ktiv.com/story/31193587/2016/02/10/young-aspiring-pilot-receives-local-aviation-award#.Vr1muBMmQPM.facebook?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=12205892 

Allie Sweeney

​Where are you from? Sioux City, Iowa
What is your major? Advertising major with a minor in Photography and Graphic Design
What is your favorite display? Flight 232 display
Why did you become an intern? I wanted to gain work experience as an intern. Plus I enjoy going to museums so it seemed like the perfect fit! 

Brett Kies

​Where are you from? I am from Kansas City, Missouri
What is your major? My major is Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing.
What is your favorite display? My favorite display is the Flight 232 area because it gives the area some pride in what they accomplished.
Why did you become an intern? I became an intern because I wanted to get started in marketing and really enjoy history.


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Thanks to April Tidwell at Leadership Siouxland for her initiative in developing a new QR code virtual tour at the Mid America Museum of Aviation & Transportation. This new QR code virtual tour enhances the visitors’ experience by giving them more insight on the particular exhibit as they tour the museum. The virtual tour works by either checking out a tablet from the front desk or using the QR code reader app on your smart device and scanning the codes attached to many exhibits located around the museum. It will then take you to a link which provides addition information about the exhibit in which you scanned. Thank you to Electronic Innovations for donating six tablets. Also thank you to Mary Honomichl (Siouxland Community Health),Robert Gries (Per Mar Security), Eric Hoak (United Real-Estate Solutions), Karen Hodges (Electronic Innovations) and April Tidwell (Sioux City Community Schools).

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The 1971 Camaro Z28 on display at the museum has quite an interesting story behind it. It all started when Richard and Rosemary Alter spent $3,337.75 on a brand new 1971 Camaro Z28. This car was considered to be the “ Best All-Around” car of its time. The Z28 Camaro was no ordinary muscle car. It came with an impressive 350 cubic inch, V8 engine that produced 275 hp.​

A few years after the purchase of the car was made, Rick was stationed in Italy for the Air Force, and he brought his family and his baby with him. In 1975 Rick and the rest of his family decided to pack into the Camaro and road trip around the European Continent. The journey started in Italy and led the family through Switzerland, Germany, and Austria.

This Camaro has seen good times, but it has also seen some bad times. It has been an omen of bad luck to Rick since the very first day that he has had it. It all started on that first day that he purchased the vehicle. While driving it around Omaha, it suffered an accident as someone ran into it. The Camaro sustained some damage but was able to be restored. Then in 1998, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the Camaro. The vehicle was totalled. Hoping that would be the last time something bad happened to his car, Rick spent the money and fixed it once again. After it was fixed he would keep it in his garage for safekeeping but that did not stop the local neighborhood kids from getting to it. They lit his garage on fire with the car still in there. Rick did not give up hope on his car just yet and decided to repair it once again. In September 2014, there was a 100+ mph windstorm that did major damage to the car. With the expert help from John Harbeck, the 1971 Camaro has been restored to better than new condition in only four months time. The Camaro was up and running by that following March.

Although the car and the owners have been through so much, we are honored to have it here at the Mid America Museum of Aviation & Transportation. The vehicle is in immaculate condition and we encourage you to stop by and take a look.

Thank you to the Junior League of Sioux City for a STEM grant written to build a partnership between Morningside Elementary and the museum. New STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) programming will strive to increase community awareness of the Mid American Air Museum. It will also offer unique educational opportunities to the students of Morningside Elementary in relation to their STEM programming. In addition, Junior League members will be trained as volunteers at the museum. ​ Amy Letchenberg is the STEM Grant Coordiantor for JL.  She has a committee being trained to volunteer.

The Boeing 727 Fedex airplane is an ongoing renovation project. The most recent activities is the installation of the electric system the museum is currently waiting Sioux City inspectors to approve the next phase of work. The plane will be converted into an educational display that will allow visitors to come into the aircraft and experience what it's like in a commercial aircraft. ​