Angels invading Lynchburg airspace this weekend

Fighter jets flying near the speed of sound at 50 feet off the deck. Classic cars. A fashion show. Biplanes and a damsel in distress. Special Operations soldiers jumping out of perfectly good aircraft.

It’s been nearly 30 years since Lynchburg has hosted an air show. The schedule promises hours of entertainment of many stripes both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lynchburg Regional Airport.

Organizers anticipate as many as 25,000 attendees each day.

"It is a diversified air show," said organizer and retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Dave Young, who heads the aeronautics program at Liberty University. "We have airplanes that date back to early aviation — trainers from World War II to the most advanced jets."

The Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration team, will return to the Hill City for the first time since 1982.

In their F/A-18 Hornets, team members fly as close as 18 inches apart. In one maneuver, a jet flies at roughly 50 feet off the ground at 700 mph.

Although the planes sport the blue and yellow paint job and their nose cannon is replaced with a tank that helps produce a smoke trail, they’re capable of being returned to combat duty aboard an aircraft carrier within 72 hours, according to the Navy.

After taking Central Virginia Governor’s School teacher Shannon Beasley up for a test drive Wednesday, the pilots and crew are set to visit area high schools Friday morning before the show.

Moving from the latest jets to trainer biplanes used to ready Navy pilots for service in World War II, the Flying Circus is set to come to town Friday morning, weather permitting. Flying out of their home field in Bealeton, the Circus puts on a theatrical show featuring the villainous "Black Baron" in his pursuit of damsel in distress Fifi and the Knights of the Air who fly to her rescue.

The Circus usually puts on weekly shows at their home field, about 20 miles northwest of Fredericksburg. This is the first time in the show’s 40 years that the entire entourage has flown to another airport to put on a performance, according to Lynchburg show organizers.

The Army’s Special Operations Command Black Daggers parachute demonstration team from Fort Bragg, N.C., will officially open the shows with a flag jump set for noon.

A series of aerobatic acts are scheduled between the Flying Circus and Blue Angels shows each afternoon.

Not many air shows include fashion shows, but the Lynchburg Regional Airshow is celebrating the golden era with a 1930s and 1940s runway show in the morning. Cars made in 1949 and earlier will also be on display, including a 1919 Piedmont Bush car made in Lynchburg, one of less than a half dozen known to exist.

Show officials have stressed that there will be no on-site parking at the airport for the show. Free general parking will be on the campus of Liberty
University. Disability access parking will be available at Central Virginia Community College. Shuttles will run regularly from both sites during the course of the show except during the Blue Angels performance. Organizers have asked for visitors to carpool to the shuttle sites to maximize parking.

Seating for general admission ticketholders is do-it-yourself. Although coolers and outside food and beverages are prohibited, organizers have encouraged show-goers to bring seating from blankets to folding chairs. Hearing protection is also encouraged and will be for sale at the show.

More information about the show is available at www.lynchburgairshow.com or by calling (434) 532-1812.