Area's largest event takes to the skies October 23 & 24 at Ellington Airport

The 26th Annual Wings Over Houston Airshow takes flight Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24 at Ellington Airport with thrilling aerial performances, aerobatics and demonstrations.

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will amaze and captivate audiences with the team’s precision formations in the F-16C Fighting Falcon.

The 2010 Wings Over Houston Airshow will feature amazing aerobatic performances by Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle, Julie Clark in the Chevron Mentor, and John Klatt Airshows.

The always-popular Tora!Tora!Tora! will reenact the World War II air power attack on Pearl Harbor. Also returning will be a firepower demonstration with Korea / Vietnam era aircraft, including the Huey helicopter, AD-4 Skyraider, O-2 Forward Air Command "Oscar Duece" and AC-47 Spooky Gunship. A new addition to this year’s line up is the Smoke-n-Thunder USO Jet Car, a 26-foot long rocket that never leaves the ground. Its Westinghouse jet engine churns 10,000 horsepower and pumps about 6,000 pounds of thrust. When driver Bill Braack cranks it, this jet car can hit a speed of 400 mph in eight seconds. Military demonstrations include the C-17 Globemaster III, A-10 Warthog West Coast Demo Team, Air Force Heritage Flight, U.S. Coast Guard MH65C Dolphin Helicopter and U.S. Navy F/A-18C Hornet from the West Coast Demo Team. Also new this year will be a C-130 cargo drop demonstration.

“Wings Over Houston Airshow is one of the most patriotic events in our area. We honor our servicemen and women of the past and those serving now all over the world. Our event strives to provide a wide range of top level aviation entertainment and education by honoring aviation’s rich history in addition to celebrating new advancements in the field,” said Bill Roach, Executive Director of Wings Over Houston Airshow. “We greatly appreciate our loyal volunteers, sponsors, fans, and members of the media as the event could not be a success without each and every one of you.”

Other highlights of the 2010 Wings Over Houston Airshow include the “Legends & Executive director of Wings Over Houston Airshow. “Heroes Autograph Tent”, 6th Cavalry Historical Association, Military Museum of Texas, and Houston Fire Museum vehicle displays.

Tickets for the 2010 Wings Over Houston Airshow are on sale now. Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 through 11 and free for children 5 and under. Reserved “Prime-View” seats at the “50-yard-line” are $40 and include reserved parking and an event program. Eagle Squadron Hospitality tickets are $125 and include reserved seating, catered food and beverages throughout the day, reserved parking and a souvenir cap, program and poster. Tickets can be purchased by calling 888-4-FLYSHOW or by visiting www.wingsoverhouston.com. Parking at Ellington Airport is extremely limited so riding bus transportation is recommended. Bus shuttles will run from Bay Area Park and Ride (801 Bay Area Blvd.) and Fuqua Park and Ride (11755 Sabo Road). Shuttles run from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., with the last shuttle inbound to Ellington Airport departing at 2:30 p.m. Roundtrip fare is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 through 11 and free for children 4 and under.

Wings Over Houston Airshow is a non-profit 501(c)(3) community event produced by a volunteer effort of the Gulf Coast Wing and West Houston Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force, with support from the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston. The Airshow is dedicated to showcasing vintage World War II aircraft, along with the thrills of modern aviation. One of the top air shows in the United States in its category, the Wings Over Houston Airshow attracts more than 85,000 festival goers throughout Houston as well as from around the globe.

- Domino Taylor (Published in the October 2010 issue)