FLY CAPE: AVIATION DAYS WILL ATTRACT VINTAGE PLANES

Aerial demonstrations, World War II vintage aircraft, plane rides and a "Star Spangled Banner parachute drop" will be featured at this weekend's Fly Cape Aviation Days at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport.

This year's featured attraction will be the display of a fully restored B-17G Flying Fortress World War II bomber. The airplane, Sentimental Journey, arrived in Cape Girardeau Monday and is actually on display throughout the week, said Airport Manager Mark Seesing.

The bomber is owned by the Confederate Air Force's Arizona Wing. Seesing said the vintage bomber arrived with a crew of seven.

Considered the most authentically restored Flying Fortress bomber, Sentimental Journey is part of the Confederate Air Force's "Ghost Squadron" aircraft collection. Nearly 13,000 B-17s were assembled during World War II, but Sentimental Journey is one of only eight such planes that have been restored and are operational today.

This marks the third year for the open house air show. About 7,000 people attended last year's show, said Seesing.

There is no admission charge, but a donation of $1 per adult spectator will be requested at the gate, said Seesing. "The donations help pay for the expenses; it's a not-for-profit show," explained Seesing. Last year, 4,000 people made such donations, he said.

The air show will run from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Seesing said the schedule of events will be the same both Saturday and Sunday.

"We will start at noon with a Star Spangled Banner parachute drop." About 10 local parachute jumpers are expected to participate in that event, he said.

That will be followed by a "bombing run" demonstration with a plane used for fighter training in World War II. The demonstration is sponsored by the Confederate Air Force, a national group dedicated to preserving World War II vintage aircraft.

Following that, there will be an A-10 "Warthog" aerial demonstration. The military jet is designed to attack tanks, Seesing said.

"It's a peculiar looking aircraft. It's got two big engines on the tail and carries tank-killing missiles," he explained. The airplanes, he said, were used "very effectively" in the recent Persian Gulf War.

The air show also will include "airplane rides and more parachute jumping," said Seesing.

At 4 p.m. both days, a B-25 will make a "bombing run" over the airport. The plane belongs to the St. Louis wing of the Confederate Air Force.

Seesing said the World War II vintage aircraft should attract a lot of interest, particularly from area veterans. "It will be quite a treat for people, especially the older folks who know what these aircraft did and their role in history."

Cape Central Airways will provide airplane rides throughout the day both Saturday and Sunday. The rides will be offered at a cost of $6 per person beginning around 10 a.m. both days, said Seesing.

"They did 200 rides in two days (last year)," said Seesing. "We're hoping to do 1,000."

The airport manager said such rides count toward the airport's total boardings for the year. With the airport's boardings running well behind last year's, Seesing said the air show rides could help the city in its effort to reach the annual 10,000-boarding level needed to continue receiving federal funding for airport improvements.

A number of local pilots will have their planes on display at the air show. Plans for airport improvements will be displayed, including plans for renovation of the airport terminal, Seesing said.

The Civil Air Patrol will have a display. In addition, police and fire vehicles and other city equipment will be displayed. An air ambulance helicopter also will be displayed.

"We hope to have a crop duster there to look at," said Seesing. "We're going to try to get the (airport) tower open so people can see it."

Seesing said the annual air shows have helped encourage public interest in aviation at the airport.

"I think there is a lot more awareness in the community from people that don't necessarily have an opportunity to fly on a regular basis," said Seesing. "We're looking better now than we ever have."