More aerial acts have been added to the Oakland County Airport’s 31st annual air show and open house to be held Sunday, Aug. 28.
“The airport open house committee decided this year that it was time to give the fans more of what they love,” County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said in a statement.
Fan favorites like Susan Dacy’s Super Stearman in her biplane, dubbed Big Red, and Michael Vaknin, who will perform gyroscopic and high-flying maneuvers in his Extra 300 airplane, are on the program this year.
Also making an apperance is Doug Dodge will take to the skies with his one-of-a-kind stunt bi-plane, he calls Machaira, followed by Kevin Copeland of KC Aerosports who will perform aerobatics in his Belanca Super Decathlon during the air show.
Other performances include pilots Tom Proctor and Marty Tibbits in their Cold War-era military trainer jets from the World Heritage Air Museum.
“Families come to tour the planes on the ground but they stay for the excitement of the air show,” Patterson said in his statement.
A new attraction this year include open-cockpit airplane rides, two to four passengers at a time in a vintage aircraft from Waldo Wright’s Flying Service.
The flights in the bi-plane last 10 minutes and cost $75 per passenger.
Patrons can also purchase helicopter rides for $35, while rides in other aircraft, such as airplane rides, can run $25 per adult, $20 for kids under 12, and $55 for one adult and two kids.
Meanwhile, aviation enthusiasts will also be able to explore about 50 aircraft at the open house including Tuskegee Motor Gliders, warbirds and vintage jets. World War II military vehicles will also be on display alongside the Oakland County Sheriff’s helicopter and Beaumont One, Beaumont Health’s air medical transportation service. Remote control giant scale aircraft operators will fly demonstrations as well.
Attendees also may tour the nation’s first LEED-Gold certified general aviation terminal. Open since 2011, the new eco-friendly terminal features solar panels and wind turbines, solar hot water heater, and a geothermal field all designed to reduce energy consumption.
“Whether you’re an aviation buff or just a kid deep down inside, the Open House and Air Show has something for everyone,” said J. David VanderVeen, Oakland County’s director of central services, said in a statement. “This truly is an event the whole family can enjoy.” families about abduction prevention and provides fingerprinting for children.
The event will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The air show begins at 2 p.m. General admission is free, but a $5-per-vehicle fee will be charged for parking.