Air Show, Ely-Curtis Pusher and Spirit of Freedom Headline Festival of Flight

At the final planning meeting for the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight the Virginia Aviation Council delegates received confirmation for the largest roster of historic and special aircraft ever for this 15-year old event. Judy Sparks, Fly-in Manager announced, "Bob Coolbaugh's replica of the 1911 Ely-Curtis Pusher which he built and flew around the country for the 2011 100th anniversary of the US Navy will attend! And the Berlin Airlift Foundation's 4-engine C-54E, The Spirit of Freedom, a flying museum of the Berlin Airlift will pay a return visit."

For years this annual event was enjoyed by hundreds of aviation enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic as a classic Fly-in. However, President Ray Batton announced, "this year we will present a crowd-pleasing air show on Sunday afternoon, 1pm - 2pm, featuring Kirk Wicker flying his Stearman aerobatic routine, wing walking act by Jane Wicker and Kirk's Comedy Cub act. Check NOTAMS for airport closure times for the air show. And, for the first time, an L-39 Albatross, a T-6 Texan, and a Great Lakes biplane provided by 757 Adventures will fly in for ramp display. Expect a wide variety of aircraft to arrive and depart both days.

On Saturday there will be a Motorcycle and Car Show put on by local car clubs from 10am to 4pm, which will enhance the usual eclectic mix of aircraft making this a "wings and wheels" event. The Council hopes this addition will attract even more people from the Hampton-Roads area located in the Southeast corner of the State of Virginia, helping the Council achieve it's founding purpose of aerospace education for the general public.

Forums and workshops, as well as aviation vendors are confirmed for the 2013 Fly-in. Each day starts with a classic pancake breakfast and continues with good smells and tastes provided by food vendors. An expanded Womens Tent allows for more demonstrations and sales of specialty items.

Tom Tyndall, Operations Manager urges attendees, "to study the well illustrated approach plan under menu: Arriving|Airplane on the Fly-In web site. After landing, be sure you have a sign in your windshield so the aircraft parkers know where you want to tie-down. Pre-formatted signs ready for printing are available at the bottom of that web page."

As usual, both 100LL full service and self-service as well as Auto Gas 93 AKI self-service will be available.

FMI: www.VirginiaFlyIn.org, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhsmiGFm_gI, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8zMpLnFoI0