Reality show star was among the pilots visiting Decorah

The nearly 100 women who flew airplanes in the 41st Annual Air Race Classic included one young woman who appeared in a reality TV show on the Discovery Channel.

Ariel Tweto was part of the family profiled on "Flying Wild Alaska."  The program followed her family as it handled the day-to-day operations of Alaska's largest regional airline.  The series featured the challenges of operating in the beautiful but harsh Alaskan bush country.

Producers offered the family a chance to have their own reality show because Ariel had made an appearance on the game show "Wipeout."  On that show she talked about Unalakleet, the remote Alaskan village she was from.  She also confessed she had "never been kissed."  Ariel made such an impression on the producers that they approached her about doing a reality show. 

"Flying Wild Alaska" profiled her family, including her father, Jim, the airline's Chief Operating Officer and bush pilot; her mother, Ferno, who was Station Manager and self-described "cargo girl;" and Ariel and her sister, Ayla, who served as ground crew, ticket sellers and receptionists.

Said the website Disciples of Flight of the program, "Not only was it about aviation, but it featured likeable people doing interesting things."

On Wednesday, Tweto stopped briefly in Decorah with her flying partner, Mary Wonder of Philadelphia.  The two met at the EAA show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  "I just love her," Tweto said of Wonder.  It is Wonder's 10th year of taking part in the Air Race Classic, while Tweto is new to the event.

For a complete profile of Tweto and "Flying Wild Alaska," visit Disciples of Flight at: https://disciplesofflight.com/what-happened-to-ariel-tweto/