Annual event flying into town this weekend

The ninth annual Great Georgia Airshow (GGAS) will be presented Saturday, October 14 and Sunday, October 15, at Falcon Field, Peachtree City, Georgia. The airshow, produced by the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), Dixie Wing, will spotlight breathtaking aerobatic performers, a jet truck and modern military aircraft, as well as a squadron of vintage World War II aircraft. The United States Air Force will provide a dramatic performance of the Heritage Flight, which combines an F-16 Viper and WWII P-51 Mustang in a tribute to America’s veterans.

Jim LeRoy, considered by many to be the premier solo act in the business today, will perform the spectacular aerobatics that resulted in his being only one of eleven performers ever to receive both the Bill Barber Award and the Art Scholl Award. These awards are considered to be the equivalent of “Oscars” for air show performers and are the only industry recognized awards for quality of entertainment and showmanship.

New to the GGAS are Larry King and Lori Seymour of Air Show Unlimited. Also performing for the first time are Jill Long in a Pitts, and Kerry Tidmore of Horizon Blue Aerobatics. Both Long and Tidmore are United States Air Force veterans. Peter Jacob will be flying Angel 7, an Aero Vodochody L-39 jet painted to honor the Blue Angels. Les Shockley will add a treat for race and truck fans when he launches Super Shockwave, a jet truck, down the runway at more than 350 miles per hour. “Killer Bee,” a B-25 Mitchell of World War II fame, will make her first appearance at the Great Georgia Airshow. Also participating is a C-47 Skytrain, one of the four weapons General and later President Dwight D. Eisenhower credited with winning WWII.

Returning to the GGAS are the "Flying Farmer” Charlie Kulp and Red Eagle Air Sports. Kulp, flying his Piper Cub in a popular comedy routine, has been entertaining air show crowds for 64 years. The Red Eagle team will again blend low-level, precision solo and formation aerobatics. The CAF Dixie Wing will showcase vintage World War II aircraft and rides will be available for purchase in their P-51 Mustang, SBD Dauntless and C-45 Expeditor. Scott Slade, host of Atlanta’s Morning News on News/Talk 750 WSB and recent recipient of the Major Market Personality of the Year award at the 2006 National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Radio Awards, will serve as the air show announcer for the ninth consecutive year.

“The Great Georgia Airshow is an exciting aviation experience in a festival setting,” said Jerry Cobb, GGAS airshow director. “We have performers ranging from biplanes to modern jets. We also offer kids activities and vendors will be selling arts and crafts, souvenirs, and food. To cap off our Saturday program we will host a gala dance with silent auction and buffet dinner at the CAF Dixie Wing Historical Airpower Facility.” Proceeds from the GGAS and gala will benefit local non-profit organizations, including school groups and scouting. Tickets for the gala can be purchased by calling the airshow office at 770-632-0365.

“We host one of Peachtree City’s premier events,” continued Cobb. “More importantly, we are proud that the Great Georgia Airshow will benefit the quality of life in our community.”

Governor Sonny Perdue will visit Falcon Field during the air show on Sunday at 3 p.m. He will speak to his Pilots for Perdue Coalition assembled then tour the various aircraft exhibits and briefly speak to the crowd in between aerial demonstrations. The Governor is a former Air Force pilot and current civilian pilot.

Members of Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapters 6, 976, 268, 468 and Warbird 17 will host special needs kids from two Atlanta area high schools at Falcon Field, Peachtree City, during the Great Georgia Airshow (GGAS) Media Day on Friday, October 13. Media Day, open to the public and free of charge, will feature a flyby by a USAF B-1 Lancer and pilots rehearsing dazzling routines, as well as WWII re-enactors and vehicles in a special ceremony.

Beginning at 10 a.m., EAA will provide nearly 50 students with an introduction to aviation, tour of light aircraft and briefings by professional and private pilots. Several students are physically challenged and all will be escorted by “airport buddies,” volunteers from the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program at South Atlanta High School in Atlanta.

“Aviation offers inspiration for children of all ages,” said Liz Porter, education outreach coordinator for Air Acres Museum. “And the Great Georgia Airshow provides a wonderful opportunity for special needs kids to see aircraft from different eras and meet men and women from a cross-section of aviation careers.”

“This is part I of a Young Eagle Rally for these kids,” continued Porter. “Part II involves actual flights, will be held on November 12, weather permitting.” The Young Eagles Rally is an EAA outreach program that introduces school age students to flight. The program will end with a tour of the Historical Airpower Facility, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing flying museum.

For more information regarding the EAA Young Eagles program, contact Liz Porter at 678-491-5843.

Advance tickets can be purchased at selected Kroger stores or online at www.aircraftspruce.com. Advance tickets are $13 for adults and $5 for children, ages 6-12. Kids ages 5 and under get in free. After October 13, tickets are also available at the gate: $18 for adults and $7 for children, ages 6-12. Gala tickets, purchased separately, are $50.

Gates open at 9 a.m., with aerial performances from 1-5 p.m. To better ensure security and safety absolutely no coolers, backpacks or pets will be permitted. For more information visit www.thegreatgeorgiaairshow.com or contact the airshow office at 770-632-0365.

The Great Georgia Airshow (GGAS) is produced by The Great Georgia Airshow, Inc. a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation governed by a Board of Directors that include representatives from the Commemorative Air Force, Dixie Wing, www.dixiewing.org, the Kiwanis Club of Peachtree City, www.peachtreecitykiwanis.org, the Peachtree City Airport Authority, http://kffc.org and members from the community. Local non-profit groups, scouting, and school groups generate funds for their organizations by purchasing food items from the air show and then retailing those items in food booths to our patrons. The GGAS endeavors to maximize the benefits of the air show to the local community. The GGAS is a grassroots event using upwards of 250 volunteers during the two-day show.

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