Wichita
Aviation Festival Takes Off
 |
| A
highlight of the festival is one of the best acrobatic pilots flying today - Patty
Wagstaff. | There
is no better place to celebrate the Centennial of Flight than in the Air Capital
of the World, September 18-21, 2003. Wichita, Kansas, is the perfect drive location;
right in the middle of the U.S. Wichita's
Aviation Festival offers fun for all. From larger-than-life aerial stunts to hot-air
balloon launches to plenty of activities on the ground such as arts and crafts,
military aircraft displays and Plane Crazy, a Wichita public art program. Look
to the sky for the high-flying U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, low-level aerobatic
stunts by Patty Wagstaff and Jimmy Franklin, and the spectacular night air show.
While the festival celebrates the past, it also looks forward with NASA's interactive
educational exhibit: Future of Flight. At the opening ceremony, enjoy an International
Space Station uplink, hosted by the Kansas Cosmosphere. The United States Centennial
of Flight Commission has declared this festival as an official "Centennial
of Flight" event. Aviation
has been a big part of Wichita history. Names like Clyde Cessna, Bill Lear and
Olive Ann Beech made their home, and their company's home, in Wichita. Today,
aviation continues to be a critical component in the regional economy and is the
largest employer. Boeing Company produces two-thirds of the world's commercial
airliners. Combined, Cessna, Raytheon and Bombardier Aerospace's Learjet division
supply 60% of the world's general aviation and military aircraft. Airbus recently
chose Wichita as their North American engineering headquarters because of this
deep-rooted history and expertise. Wichita's military operations are home to McConnell
Air Force Base, which participated in securing freedom in Iraq. Wichita helped
make the aviation industry what it is today. That
is why this community is coming together on a grand scale to celebrate Wichita's
aviation heritage and its place in aviation history. On Saturday and Sunday, September
20 and 21, McConnell Air Force Base hosts the culminating events of the Wichita
Aviation Festival. There will be nearly 60 air show acts above. And when your
neck gets tired of looking up, there will be plenty to see and do on the ground.
On display will be over 40 different military and civilian planes and vehicles.
Plus the Fly Market, food vendors, children's activities, educational seminars
and a visit from a Russian Cosmonaut will provide entertainment for all ages. On
both afternoons, enjoy the Air Force Thunderbirds as they perform an awe-inspiring
solo and formation show. This year marks both the Thunderbirds' 50th anniversary
and the 100th anniversary of flight. Celebrating these milestones at the Air Capital
of the World during the Wichita Aviation Festival will be an unforgettable experience.
The Thunderbirds perform high-flying thrills for millions worldwide. The team's
precise aerial maneuvers in their Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons demonstrate
the full range of capabilities possessed by the Air Force's tactical fighters.
This highly maneuverable fighter has proven to be one of the world's best precision
tactical bombers and air-to-air combat aircraft. When the Thunderbirds soar through
the Aviation Festival, their demonstration will be a mix of formation flying and
solo routines.
Another
highlight of the festival is one of the best acrobatic pilots flying today - Patty
Wagstaff. Crowds can't get enough of this aerobatic legend. Millions turn out
yearly for her thrilling, low-level maneuvers in her Goodrich Extra 300S. Her
breathtaking performances give spectators a front-row seat to watch the precision
and complexity of modern aerobatics. Her aggressive, yet smooth style sets the
standard for performers the world over. As a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic
Team competing in Olympic-level international competition, she is the highest-placing
American with gold, silver and bronze medals. She is a three-time U.S. National
Aerobatic Champion and the first woman to win the coveted title. Patty has trained
with the Russian Aerobatic Team and flown air shows and competitions on five continents. |
