DC Duggy “Duggy,” is a 28-passenger World War II-era DC-3 that has been restored. Known as the original “Smile in the Sky,” it’s a photo museum showing the history of aviation from the Wright Brothers to man’s first walk on the moon.
Saturday will be a big day at Luverne’s Quentin Aanenson Field when the local airport celebrates its grand reopening. The agenda includes a fly-in breakfast (starting at 7 a.m.), the Vangard Squadron and Parachute Jumpers, free plane rides for ages 8 to 18 and the featured attraction, DC Duggy. “Duggy,” is a 28-passenger World War II era DC-3 that has been restored. Known as the original “Smile in the Sky,” it’s a photo museum showing the history of aviation from the Wright Brothers to man’s first walk on the moon. (See the half page advertisement page 10A for more detailed information.) Saturday’s grand opening events are intended to celebrate the completion of the runway expansion and other improvements. When Luverne’s airport reopened earlier this summer, the runway was nearly twice as long as before, and it has hangar space for up to 24 aircraft. Anticipating increased air traffic and service business, Luverne’s new fixed base operator and management team started this spring preparing for opening day. Darrell Gilmore of Great Planes Avionics Services Inc. has expanded his Tea, S.D., Avionics and Maintenance business in Luverne. He said Luverne’s airport has a promising future, thanks to $3 million in improvements on site. “One of the things that impressed me and brought me to Luverne was the forward vision of the city and the airport board,” Gilmore said. Much of the airport work was funded through state and federal sources, so Luverne’s investment in the project will end up being roughly $300,000. Saturday’s grand reopening will be a celebration of more than 15 years worth of work to get the local runway expanded. Luverne City Councilman Pat Baustian has been part of the effort since 1998, serving as a member of the Airport Board, currently the chairman. “It will be a celebration of the culmination of the efforts of so many people,” Baustian said. Through the years, he said, it took the work of dozens of people on several boards and commissions to see the runway expansion through. Included in these efforts were the Luverne Township Board, the city of Luverne, the Airport Board and the Joint Airport Zoning Board (which has members of the County Board, City Council, Luverne Township and one member at large). Baustian said he also hopes Saturday’s events will be an educational tool for young people interested in aviation. “We want to bring an awareness of flying and education of flying, so that down the road, kids may consider careers in aviation,” Baustian said.
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