Friday, September 7, 2001
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Friday, September 7, 2001 |
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Wings Over Dixie returns for fourth year
By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
Falcon Field in Peachtree City will be the site of the fourth annual Wings Over Dixie Air Show this weekend. The show features aerobatic exhibitions, airplane rides, children's activities, a U.S. Army Band concert and a chance to get close to many different forms of airplanes. The air show, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9, will present shows each day from 1- 5 p.m. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day, patrons can get a look at a variety of planes, take rides on WWII airplanes, or participate in many activities, such as climbing up a fake rock wall. The shows begin at 1 p.m. with demonstrations of radio controlled aircraft, followed by opening ceremonies presented by the U.S. Army Honor Guard. The show really takes off with simulated World War II aerial attacks, complete with pyrotechnics. There will also be a launch and fly-by of approximately 30 aircraft, including the "Red Tail" P-51C of Tuskegee Airmen fame, as it defends a B-17 from attack. There will be Mini Reno air races, featuring three different classes of racers, aerobatics from a Hawker "Sea Fury" Warbird and routines by Airshow Unlimited, featuring Elgin Wells Jr. Paraplegic hang glider Dan Buchanan will launch himself off a specifically designed launch pad and climb to an altitude of 1,500 feet. There will be demonstrations of F-16 and F-15 fighter jets and the low-flying stunts of Patty Wagstaff, a three-time national aerobatic champion. Texas Raiders is a nonprofit vintage WWII B17 bomber which will be one of the featured acts in show. With an early arrival Friday Sept. 7, this unique and very rare (only eight remain in flying status) aircraft will be offering rides and tours to the general public for tax-deductible donations. This aircraft tours the U.S., Canada, Alaska and Mexico during the summer months bringing the dwindling number of WWII veterans back in touch with a part of their youth and introducing the youth of today to an element of aviation history. This aircraft is just one of the collection of vintage WWII flying-museum airplanes owned by the CAF (Confederate Air Force) based in Midland, Texas, and it is operated through the volunteer CAF efforts of members of the Gulf Coast Wing from Houston, Texas. Tickets for Wings Over Dixie can be purchased in advance at Kroger. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-12. Tickets at the gate will be $12 for adults and $6 for children. Proceeds go to Dixie Wing, Fayette Youth Protection Home for abused children, and the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City. Parking at the airfield is $10, but there will be free parking and shuttle service to the show from Starr's Mill High School. For information visit www.wingsoverdixie.org.
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