Coeur d’Alene Aviation Airshow and Expo
Coeur d'Alene Aviation Air Show & Expo 2025
by Luke & John Thow
June 28, 2025 marked the first Coeur d’Alene airshow in more than 20 years. The event drew thousands of aviation fans of all ages to Pappy Boyington Field in Hayden, Idaho. It was inspiring to see the community come together at the airport to celebrate aviation.
Upon arrival, showgoers were treated to a collection of aircraft, food trucks, and vendors to explore. The show featured five flying acts and a variety of aircraft on static display. The Aviation Expo also included a showcase of local businesses, non-profits, and military recruiters eager to connect with attendees. The event was a great venue to debut our new aviation photography and history book, WINGS LIKE EAGLES: The Evolution of Military Aircraft From Wright to Warbird. We enjoyed meeting so many fellow airplane enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest.
Static displays featured an eclectic mix of local aircraft alongside some special guests. The highlight was a pair of United States Navy E/A-18G Growlers brought in by VAQ-129 from NAS Whidbey Island. One of the two Growlers was on display for public viewing, while the second remained on the opposite side of the airfield. The Growler is an impressive aircraft, and it was a real treat to see it up close. We especially enjoyed speaking with the pilots and Electronic Warfare Officers (EWOs) about the aircraft and their unique mission.
The flying portion of the show began with a fine example of North American Aviation’s legendary P-51 Mustang. This particular aircraft is part of the Erickson Aircraft Collection, based at Madras Municipal Airport in Madras, Oregon. The P-51’s mighty Packard Merlin V-12 filled the air with a melodic rumble unique to the Mustang and served as a perfect opener to engage the crowd along the fence line.
After the Mustang, the show continued with the aerobatic acts. First up was Kyle Fowler of “Go EZ Aerobatics,” flying his Rutan Model 61 Long-EZ. The Long-EZ was not originally designed as an aerobatic aircraft, and while the maneuvers weren’t the most aggressive, the performance was beautiful. It was a real treat to see the unique shape of the Long-EZ executing hard turns, loops, barrel rolls, and more.
Erickson Collection’s P-51 Mustang roars over air show fans at Pappy Boyington Field in Hayden, Idaho. Photo: © Luke Thow
Kyle Fowler of “Go EZ Aerobatics,” flying his Rutan Model 61 Long-EZ. Photo: © Luke Thow
Renny Price high above the crowd in his SU-29. Photo: © Luke Thow
Next up was Renny Price in his Sukhoi Su-29, a Russian-built, two-seat aerobatic aircraft. The Su-29 features a Vedeneyev nine-cylinder, 360-horsepower radial engine. It’s a unique aircraft, and in all our years of attending airshows, we had yet to see one. Renny delivered an impressive performance, pushing the Su-29 to its limits.
Jerry “Jive” Kirby then took to the sky in Wild Blue, his specially customized Van’s RV-8A. Maneuvering the nimble RV-8A like a fighter jet, Jive delivered an exciting demonstration full of aerial energy and precision.
The show concluded with a second aircraft from the Erickson Collection: the stunning F4U Corsair. This particular Corsair is painted to represent Jesse Brown’s F4U-4B, retaining the paint scheme featured in the film Devotion. Jesse Brown was the U.S. Navy’s first African American pilot. This was easily one of the most beautiful Corsairs we had ever seen, and it served as a fitting tribute to the airport’s namesake, Greg “Pappy” Boyington, a legendary World War II Corsair ace and founder of the 214 Black Sheep.
We had a wonderful time at the show and want to extend a special thank you to Coeur d’Alene Aviation and Maintenance for organizing and hosting this amazing start to what will hopefully become a long-lasting tradition.
The latest news about the next Coeur d’Alene Aviation Airshow and Expo is that it is tentatively planned for the summer of 2027. We hope to see you all there.
