Festival Takes Flight -- Aviation, STEM, Family Fun and More

FESTIVAL TAKES FLIGHT WITH AVIATION, STEM,

FAMILY FUN, AND MORE!

BLUE BELL, PA — Get ready for a whole new perspective and lots of fun at Angel Flight East’s Wings N’ Wheels on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wings Field in Blue Bell.

The community festival brings together the excitement of aviation with the energy of STEM education, along with food, music, craft beer, classic cars, and plenty of activities for families.

With food trucks, live music, breweries, a car show, and a chicken wing competition, Wings N’ Wheels offers something for everyone, but its focus on aviation and STEM sets it apart.

Kids can explore the science and technology behind flight through hands-on activities and interactive exhibits presented by local aviation and STEM organizations. Young visitors can learn about robotics, build and test gliders, explore the world of helicopters, and discover how science, engineering, and creativity come together to make flight possible.

A Rare Look at Aviation History

One of the festival’s special attractions will be a beautifully restored 1936 Fleet Canada 7B biplane, a historic aircraft with a remarkable story.

The open-cockpit biplane recently made its first appearance in its restored 1930s color scheme—the same scheme it wore when it flew as CF-CEM with the Aero Club of British Columbia from 1936 to 1941. The aircraft received the “Outstanding Open Cockpit Biplane” award at AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.

Temporarily based at Wings Field, the aircraft was restored by aeronautical engineer and vintage-aircraft enthusiast Luigi Ricci Moretti, with historical research assistance from members of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society. For aviation enthusiasts and families alike, it is a rare opportunity to get up close to a fully restored aircraft from the early years in aviation.

Take a Flight of Your Own

Visitors can also take to the skies. Sightseeing plane rides are available for an $80 donation and offer a 15- to 20-minute flight over the region. For families, first-time flyers, and aviation enthusiasts, it’s a chance to experience the area's landscape from a completely different perspective and make a memory that goes well beyond the festival grounds.

STEM Takes Center Stage

Wings N’ Wheels will feature student and community organizations that are putting aviation, engineering, and technology into action.

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Three area high schools will showcase their FIRST Robotics teams, while students involved - with FIRST LEGO League will demonstrate how young innovators use teamwork, problem-solving and engineering to tackle challenges.

The festival will also feature the Penn State Women’s Aero Club, which will help young visitors learn about flight and build gliders. Other participating organizations include the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Vertical Flight Society Philadelphia Chapter, American Helicopter Museum & Education Center, and Greener Partners, which will provide hands-on activities.

The festival takes place on National Women in Aviation Day, providing an opportunity to highlight women and girls pursuing careers and interests in aviation, engineering and STEM.

“Wings N’ Wheels is about much more than looking at airplanes,” said Ellen Williams, executive director of Angel Flight East. “We want kids to touch, build, experiment, ask questions and imagine themselves as the next generation of pilots, engineers, scientists and aviation professionals. That’s what makes this event so special.”

And when the STEM exploration is done, there’s still plenty to enjoy. Guests can sample craft beer from Von C Brewing Co. and Wissahickon Brewing Company, listen to live music, check out classic cars, enjoy food trucks, and watch local favorites compete in the Wing Off chicken wing competition.

Presented by Angel Flight East, Wings N’ Wheels supports the organization’s mission of connecting children and adults with critical medical care through its network of volunteer pilots.

Wings N’ Wheels 2026
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Wings Field | Blue Bell, PA
Admission: $15 adults; $5 children under 13

Sightseeing plane rides: $80 donation

For more information, visit Angel Flight East.

Pets are not permitted on the campus.

About Angel Flight East

Angel Flight East is a nonprofit organization whose volunteer pilots provide free air transportation for children and adults who need to travel to medical care far from home. Its network of volunteer pilots helps make access to critical medical care possible for patients and families throughout the Northeast and beyond.