EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR AND ON THE GROUND AT VAN NUYS AIRPORT’S AVIATION EXPO 2001
(Van Nuys, CA)- The Van Nuys Airport Aviation Expo 2001, slated for the weekend of June 23 and 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature some exciting new attractions, including all-day flyovers, live musical entertainment and a first-time display of World War II's rare B-29 Superfortress and B-24 Liberator.
Up to 300,000 spectators are expected to attend the free Aviation Expo 2001 to view displays of some of the world's most celebrated military and vintage aircraft and meet the pilots who fly them. "Expo is an important San Fernando Valley tradition," said Van Nuys Airport Manager Selena Birk. "Not only is it the city's largest, free family event, it also raises thousands of dollars for local nonprofit youth and service organizations."
There will be plenty of excitement in the air and on the ground, with flyovers by warbirds and top-gun military jets, including the F-117A Stealth Fighter and F/A-18 Hornet. Among the advanced military aircraft on display will be the B-52 Bomber, B-1B Lancer Bomber, F-14 Tomcat, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon, C-17 Globemaster III, AV-8B Harrier, E-2 Hawkeye, A-10 Warthog, F-4 Phantom and EA-6B Prowler.
Equally impressive will be displays of vintage aircraft in pristine condition, such as the P-51 Mustang, P-38 Lightning, F6F Hellcat, Martin 404, TBM Avenger and the C-46 "China Doll." And for the first time, Expo will feature two of World War II's most famed aircraft: the only B-29 Superfortress still flying and the powerful B-24 Liberator, the oldest continuously flying, four-engine piston aircraft in the world.
Other performers and attractions will include the colorful talents of paraplegic hang glider pilot Dan Buchanan and skydiving by the prestigious U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment with the rhythms of Motown by Klass 1.
The Expo's theme, The Triumph of Flight, honors the rich heritage of American aviation. This year's honorees are veteran KCAL-TV news anchor and award-winning broadcaster Jerry Dunphy, a former B-29 squadron bombardier symbolizing all those who built, serviced and flew these historic aircraft; and Commander Charles Sternberg, at age 38, currently the Navy's youngest aviator to ever command an F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Also being honored is the Confederate Air Force, a group of ex-service pilots who have single-handedly preserved the great American World War II fighters, including the B-29, B-24 and countless others.
The pedestrian entrance for the air show is located at 8030 Balboa Blvd. Plenty of free parking and shuttle bus service are available at four remote lots. Handicapped parking only will be available on-site at 8050 Balboa Blvd.
Aviation Expo 2001 is co-hosted by the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, a nonprofit international women pilots organization founded in 1929. Event sponsors include 21st Century Insurance, AT&T Wireless, Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Daily News, KLOS Radio, KNX Newsradio, KFWB News 980, KMPC Sporting News, Los Angeles Times Valley Edition, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Van Nuys Harley Davidson, Universal Studios, Time Warner Communications, Grand Pacific Resorts, BANKFIRST, Wescom Credit Union and John Robert Powers.
Aviation Expo 2001 is presented by Los Angeles World Airports, a self-supporting department of the City of Los Angeles, which owns and operates a world-class system of four airports: Los Angeles International, Ontario International, Palmdale Regional, and Van Nuys. For more information, call the Expo Hotline at (866) VNY-EXPO (866 869-3976) or visit www.lawa.org.
