Cleared for Takeoff

If your weekend plans are still up in the air, leave them there (figuratively speaking). The 47th and final El Toro Air Show opens to the public Saturday and Sunday. Whichever day you don’t go, you can see what it feels like to be at the controls at the simulated flight facility called Fightertown.

Be prepared, though, to also fight considerable land traffic in the area, no matter when you go this weekend.

SATURDAY: 1

It’s the end of an era--the final air show at The El Toro Marine Corps Air Station.

Started in 1950, the El Toro Air Show has become the most highly attended (more than 2 million are expected to attend over three days) in the United States. But after this weekend, it becomes strictly a piece of local history, as the former military base makes way for an international commercial airport.

Even in its final installment, though, there’s room for improvement and increased variety: New acts this year include fly-bys by an Air Force B-2 Stealth bomber (Saturday only) and by the only 1945 N9MB “Flying Wing” still in existence. Also performing here for the first time will be Ken Brock’s Gyroplane, doing aerobatics that include steep chandelles, vertical descents and a “dead-stick” landing, as well as Jim Cheatham’s Cool Cuts Showcopters and the Bud Light Micro Jet, the smallest jet in the world at 12 feet long, 5 feet 5 inches high and 450 pounds.

Returning from past shows will be the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier and Air Force F16 Fighting Falcon. Among almost 200 ground displays will be the F-117 Stealth Fighter and B-1 Bomber; 100 vendors, including Disney Pictures and Wheels and Wings, have signed up for El Toro Expo ’97.

Parents can enjoy the air acts within eyeshot of children at Amusement Land, south of the expo tent; attractions include a miniature ridable train, carnival games, a Ferris wheel and other rides.

General admission is free. Visitors are advised to take blankets or lawn chairs, sunscreen and hearing protection. Food and beverages will be available for sale; glass containers are not permitted.

Preferred seating (no strollers, coolers or folding chairs allowed) is available through Ticketmaster at (714) 720-2000. “Four star” seating (adults, $35-40; children 3-11, $25-$30; ages 2 and under, free) includes flight-line location, tent shade and lunch. Box seating (adults, $15; children 3-11, $10) promises reserved seats on the flight line. Unreserved grandstand seats (adults, $10; children 3-11, $5; 2 and under, free) are at the center of the action.

Phone the air show information line at (714) 726-2100 for exact schedule of acts. As always, the U.S. Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team will end the show. But this time, they won’t be back.

SUNDAY MORNING: 2

Fly the world’s hottest fighters, including the F-14 Tomcat, F-18 Hornet and F-117 Stealth, at Fightertown: Think of it as a virtual air-combat school, an interactive flight experience with training but without the actual aircraft.

Participants learn technical aspects of flight, including start-up of a modern combat aircraft, runway taxiing, radio communications, getting airborne, direction and altitude variances, target vectoring, evasion tactics and ground target strafing. Maneuvers include a loop, victory roll and high-speed dive.

Military cockpits are identical to the real thing inside and out; two have motion simulators, and all use sophisticated graphics to provide the illusion of reality. Prices for a one-hour experience, including classroom briefing, range from a single-seat A-10 Warthog at $23.99 to a two-seat, dual control, full-motion F-14 Tomcat, $59.99; Monday-Thursday specials start at $19.99.

No flight experience is required. Few participants have been younger than 12; most are between 25 and 50. Among “flight ops” are basic airmanship, basic fighter maneuvers, in-flight refueling and night flight. On the inclement weather flight, you’re on instruments 99% of the time; you land on a boat at 400-foot visibility.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON: 3

Nerves a little jittery? Virtual pilots 21 and older may want to swing by the new 7,000-square-foot Wine Emporium in Lake Forest on their way home from Fightertown. (If you made that limited-visibility landing, the store also sells cigars.)

Partners in the venture are Tom and Maribeth Harrison, former owners of Tustin’s Black Sheep Bistro, and Ron Marshall, co-owner of Mr. Stox in Anaheim. The Harrisons probably won’t be there this weekend, however: They’re historic aviation buffs and plan to attend the air show.