Taking Flight

Demonstrations of the Marine Corps’s Harrier jet, capable of vertical takeoffs, landings and hovering, are among an event-packed weekend planned for aviation enthusiasts at Van Nuys Airport July 19-20.

There’ll be warbirds, big birds and fighters; vintage planes, classic aircraft and aerobatic performances; precision skydiving maneuvers and aerial firefighting and rescue operations.

Visitors can strap into a motion simulator for a thrill ride in a Stealth fighter. Talk to the pilots and learn about their feats. Even radio-controlled model airplanes will take to the skies during the two-day show, to be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

A flyover by the B-2 Stealth bomber Sunday afternoon will salute the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.

Admission, remote parking and shuttle bus service will be free, with an expected attendance of more than 300,000 visitors.

Aviation Expo ’97 is co-hosted by the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, a nonprofit women pilots organization. Proceeds from food and souvenir sales will benefit 20 area nonprofit youth and service organizations.

Schedule of Events and Parking

Saturday

10:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies; P-51 Mustang flyover; Recognition award to U.S. Air Force Major Chuck Mitchell

11 a.m.: Flyover by Condor Squadron AT-6 Texans; U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team; Pilatus Turbo Porter; L.A.F.D. water drop and hoist rescue demonstration; S2B Pitts; C-130 Hercules water drop; Russian Sukhoi 26; U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier

3 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team; S2B Pitts; Russian Sukhoi 26; U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier; Radio-controlled model airplane show

Sunday

11 a.m.: Flyover by Condor Squadron AT-6 Texans; U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team; Pilatus Turbo Porter; L.A.F.D. water drop and hoist rescue demonstration; S2B Pitts; C-130 Hercules water drop; Russian Sukhoi 26; U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier

2 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team; S2B Pitts; Russian Sukhoi 26; U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier; Radio-controlled model airplane show

3 p.m.: Flyover by B-2 Stealth bomber

*

A: Monroe High School, 9229 Haskell Ave.

B. Kaiser Marquardt Industries, 16555 Saticoy St.

C. Birmingham High School,1700 Haynes St.

D. Woodley Golf Course lot, 6335 Woodley Ave.

E. Handicapped parking, 8050 Balboa Blvd.

On Display

More than 75 fighter jets, vintage and business aircraft will be on display. Spectators can talk to pilots and tour the interior of some of the planes. Aircraft on display include: F-117A Stealth fighter

B-1 bomber

C-141 Starlifter

A-10 Thunderbolt

F-14 Tomcat

F-15 Eagle

F-16 Falcon

F/A-18 Hornet

AV 8B Harrier

Cobra, Pavehawk Huey helicopters

Lufwaffe Tornado