The magic, precision, adventure and thrill of flight will be on display for all of Greenwood to enjoy on Saturday at the fifth annual Greenwood Air Show.
Parachute teams, aerobatic flyers, classic cars, a giant military cargo jet and free airplane and helicopter rides are just a few of the free attractions that, in years past, have drawn between 4,000 and 5,000 spectators to Greenwood-Leflore Airport.
Organizer Allan Hammons said he and his partners hope anyone interested in aviation and anyone who is fascinated but may not have any previous exposure to planes or flying will attend the event.
“Some people fly in from out of state for the show,” Hammons said.
“My hope is that people who’ve never been on a plane ride will come out early and get in line for a free ride.”
Anyone, including children, who wants to sign up for a free ride in a small plane or a helicopter should arrive at 10 a.m. when the gates open. Rides are free and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
In the case of rain, Hammons said, most events will proceed. If there’s a storm, temporary shelter will be available.
The not-for-profit event relies on an army of volunteers from the City of Greenwood, Leflore County, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and MedStat.
Donations from local businesses Cannon Motors, Wade Inc., Capital City Beverages, R.C. Construction, Max 99 and Delta Radio Group keep the event free and accessible to all.
Along with Hammons, key organizers include local pilot Frank Kimmel, Cyndi Long of General Electric Capital Aviation Services, Mac McNeer, airport manager Grady Perkins and Michael McCool from Provine Helicopters.
Hammons said there will be plenty to do and see for all ages, including food vendors, bouncy houses, a playground area and, of course, the spectacle of flight in a variety of entertaining forms.
The AeroShell Aerobatic Team, a group of pilots flying AT-6 Texan aircraft and performing aerial maneuvers will be on hand to provide some thrills.
“They are four very experienced pilots who fly as a team in a four-ship diamond formation,” Hammons said. “Expect a lot of noise and a lot of smoke.”
Hammons said the planes the AeroShell team flies were World War II training aircraft, a type that used to be based by the hundreds at the Greenwood airport during the war.
Spectators can tour a C-17 cargo jet, an Air Force plane that’s big enough to transport tanks and other large military vehicles.
“People will be able to go on board and walk through it,” Hammons said.
P-51 Mustangs fighter planes, probably the most famous fighters of World War II, will also be on hand.
“It’s interesting that all of these old planes and their brethren that were once in residence here at our airport will be on display,” Hammond said.
The U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, one of three Department of Defense sanctioned aerial demonstration teams will fly, offering a demonstration of tandem jumping with local businessman Wade Litton strapped on the back of a team member.
Paul Johnson of Huntsville, Alabama, is bringing two acts to the show: “The World’s Fastest Van,” a jet-powered 1979 Ford Econoline van, and “The World’s Shortest Airstrip Landing” in which a 1941 Piper Cub lands on top of a 1969 Pontiac Catalina.
Johnson, who appeared with his vehicles at Cannon Motors on Thursday to promote the Air Show, said a “bunch of guys” in the Kansas City area came up with the idea of outfitting the Pontiac for landing a plane on top back in 1973, and he is its fifth owner.
“The car weighs about 6,000 pounds,” Johnson said. “It’s a pro-street dragster, but it’s street legal.”
The car runs on a fuel-injected supercharger and Johnson and the car’s driver, Darrell Sukowski, both former Air Force pilots, said it wasn’t very hard to learn how to do the pinpoint landing.
“I landed jets on aircraft carriers,” Johnson said.
Johnson will drive his jet-powered van in the show as well which, he says, can go up to 300 miles per hour and is limited only by the capacity of its tires.
There will be limited seating for spectators at the show, and Hammons encourages participants to bring lawn chairs. Coolers are welcome, but no motorized vehicles are allowed.
“We encourage people to plan to buy food from our vendors,” Hammons aid. “It’s a whole-day affair, a good chance for people to come out and have fun.”
• Contact Kathryn Eastburn at 581-7235 or keastburn@gwcommonwealth.com.
