HAYDEN — Every plane — and every pilot — at the Coeur d’Alene Aviation Air Show and Expo had a story.

Some traveled farther than others to converge on Coeur d’Alene Airport-Pappy Boyington Field on Saturday. Mitch Cummings, a flight lieutenant with the Royal Australian Air Force, was especially far from home.

Cummings is part of a training exchange program with the U.S. Navy to learn how to fly an EA-18G Growler, an aircraft used exclusively by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force for electronic warfare.

Though his training primarily takes place in Whidbey Island, Wash., the jaunt over to the Air Show and Expo became “part of the training mission.”

“It was a great opportunity to come out this way,” Cummings said.

The fighter jet, which towered over curious onlookers, can reach speeds up to Mach 1.6 at 50,000 feet — about one and a half times the speed of sound.

While the EA-18G Growler is a force to be reckoned with, Cummings described it as “relatively easy” to fly.

“It’s honestly nothing like any commercial aircraft,” Cummings said with a laugh.

As for the true extent of the jet’s capabilities, Cummings couldn’t go too much into detail.

“It’s hugely capable in what it does,” Cummings said.

The EA-18G Growler did not take to the skies during the Air Show portion of the day, but five other iconic aircraft wowed the well over a thousand attendees with aerial stunts and rich backstories, told over the loudspeaker by announcer and producer Lunar Sawyer.

A P-51D Mustang, a Sukhoi SU-29, an RV-8A, a Vought F4U Corsair, and a unique yellow aircraft called the “Long Easy” each took turns streaking across the Prairie skies.

This was the first Air Show and Expo in Kootenai County in 21 years.

“This is great,” said attendee Sam Ricks. “If this comes back next year, we’d absolutely come back.” 

    Coeur d'Alene Airport-Pappy Boyington Field hosted well over a thousand people Saturday for their Coeur d’Alene Aviation Air Show and Expo — the first in 21 years.
  

Kyle Fowler of GO EZ Aerobatics stunned the crowd as he performed aerial stunts against the blue sky in the "Long Easy" aircraft Saturday.

    Wild Blue, an RV-8A aircraft, streaks across the sky Saturday.
  

    A P-51D Mustang glides above Coeur d'Alene Airport-Pappy Boyington field Saturday. These fighter aircrafts were used by the US Army Air Forces during WWII.