Keokuk, IA – The 20th annual International L-Bird Fly-In Convention runs through Saturday, July 24. The event takes place at Lindner Airfield in the Keokuk Municipal Airport.
Airport Manager Greg Gobble says about 30 pilots are expected to attend this year. He says there are a few pilots, including one from Australia, who have only missed a couple of fly-ins.
Gobble says the event got its start in Keokuk as a way for a group of pilots to get together.
"The best way to describe it is a reunion of people who either flew liaison aircrafts, which is what the L (in L-Birds) stands for, worked on them, or in some instances, just love that kind of aircraft," said Gobble.
Gobble says L-Birds had a variety of uses during several wars, including artillery spotting and medical transport.
The pilots will use their trip to Keokuk to take part in formation flight training and re-certification.
Gobble says the annual pancake breakfast will take place Saturday morning. He says spectators can come out and meet the pilots during the event.