The latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Heartland

NEAR MILLARD, MO. -- A hugely popular fly-in convention in Wisconsin may be more than 400 miles from the Heartland, but it is even providing an economic shot in the arm for Kirksville.

You may be wondering how that's possible.

Well, several of the tens of thousands of aviation enthusiasts making their way to the Experimental Aircraft Association's annual "AirVenture Oshkosh" make a stop at Kirksville Regional Airport.

The pilots refuel, take a break, and some even stay overnight in Kirksville.

That means more money pumped into the local economy from far and wide.    

Kirksville Regional Airport Director David Hall said pilots come from all over the place.

“Especially the southeast, Texas, Oklahoma,” said Hall. “We get those travelers, but also we get some of the west coast travelers that come south around the Rocky Mountains in small aircraft, and then they transition through that southern route, and so we'll see a fair amount of traffic."

Hall said not only does the Kirksville airport see an increase in air traffic as pilots are on their way to Wisconsin but also when they're flying back home.

"AirVenture Oshkosh" runs through Sunday so keep your eye to the sky for colorful aircraft making their way overhead.