A Runway on Memory Lane

Aviation craft from bygone eras will be presented this weekend during an impressive exhibition and series of flybys at the Santa Paula Airport.

“Airshow ‘92” promises to be the equivalent of a real-life encyclopedia for aircraft. Enthusiasts can tour civilian aircraft from the 1920s and 1930s, take a firsthand look at World War II fighters and other military craft, and examine owner-built kit planes.

The gates will open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the show running until 6 p.m. both days.

The highlight of the event will commence at 1 p.m. each day with a three-hour air show demonstrating the progress of aviation over the years.

“We’ll have a then-and-now flyby each day,” said event chairman Ray Young.

Zooming overhead will be open-cockpit biplanes of the 1920s to high-speed contemporary home-built planes. Each decade since the 1920s will be represented with aircraft, Young said.

This might be an event not to be missed--the last was held in 1987.

“It’s never been a regular air show,” Young said. “It’s an all-volunteer effort--including all the acts--and it’s a lot of work putting something like this together.”

Young predicted a big turnout.

“We had about 10,000 people come through gates in ‘87, and I think this one will be bigger.”

Besides aerobatic demonstrations, the air show will include sky-diving and hang-gliding exhibitions.

Young suggested this is not simply an event for aircraft buffs.

“It’s great for families,” Young said. “You can spend the whole day enjoying this, and it’s inexpensive.”

A $3 donation is requested.

Proceeds benefit the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. Food and beverages will be offered.

The Santa Paula Airport is at 822 Santa Maria St. For more information, call 525-4023.