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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Real Treat For Airplane Lovers Fairchild Aerospace Day Ends Lilac Festival

By Jim Camden jimc@spokesman.com(509) 879-7461

FOR THE RECORD: 5-20-97 Wrong plane: An F-16 Falcon fighter plane was misidentified in Sunday’s story about Aerospace Day at Fairchild Air Force Base.

The Lilac Festival closes today with the annual open house at Fairchild Air Force Base.

Aerospace Day is a chance for airplane lovers to see some planes up close and personal on the ground, and to watch others swoop overhead.

The air show is without a big-name military act like the Thunderbirds this year, but will feature a team flying F-16 fighter jets.

The three-hour show will also feature flights by a civilian stunt pilot, military helicopters and a KC-135 tanker.

On the ground will be a B-52 bomber, an F117 Stealth fighter, several fighter planes and trainers and a World War II vintage P-51 Mustang.

The base opens to the public at 10 a.m. Motorists can head out Highway 2 west and look for the signs (or the traffic waiting to turn into the base). Vehicles also can enter through the McFarlane Road gate next to the base hospital.

Organizers offer this advice: Remember where you parked your car and wear comfortable walking shoes. The parking lots are a healthy walk away from the airplane hangars.

Or take the Spokane Transit Authority’s No. 11 West Plains bus, which will be operating on its regular Sunday schedule. Call 328-RIDE for information on the route and times.

Another good idea: Bring sunscreen and sunglasses. The shade is minimal and sun reflects off the concrete even on hazy days.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: The lineup Here’s a schedule of today’s aerial demonstrations: 10 a.m.: Radio-controlled aircraft 11 a.m.: Swearing-in ceremony 11:30 a.m.: Pitts Specials demonstration 11:45 a.m.: Flag jump Noon: Aerospace Day Ceremony 12:10 p.m.: KC-135 fly-by 12:30 p.m.: CF-18 demonstration 12:42 p.m.: T-3 demonstration 12:50 p.m.: UH-1/Survival demonstration 1:10 p.m.: CT-133 flyby 1:20 p.m.: Yak 55 demonstration 1:30 p.m.: Staudbacher S2B demonstration 1:40 p.m.: R22B 2:05 p.m.: F-16 demonstration. On-the-ground - displays include a B-52, KC135E, F-117, CH-146, CF-18, CT-133, F-18, C-12, C-141, T-3, T-1, P-51, T-34, UH-1, KingAir, Bell 412 Rescue, T-33, Citabria, F-15, BE-77 and PA-28.

This sidebar appeared with the story: The lineup Here’s a schedule of today’s aerial demonstrations: 10 a.m.: Radio-controlled aircraft 11 a.m.: Swearing-in ceremony 11:30 a.m.: Pitts Specials demonstration 11:45 a.m.: Flag jump Noon: Aerospace Day Ceremony 12:10 p.m.: KC-135 fly-by 12:30 p.m.: CF-18 demonstration 12:42 p.m.: T-3 demonstration 12:50 p.m.: UH-1/Survival demonstration 1:10 p.m.: CT-133 flyby 1:20 p.m.: Yak 55 demonstration 1:30 p.m.: Staudbacher S2B demonstration 1:40 p.m.: R22B 2:05 p.m.: F-16 demonstration. On-the-ground - displays include a B-52, KC135E, F-117, CH-146, CF-18, CT-133, F-18, C-12, C-141, T-3, T-1, P-51, T-34, UH-1, KingAir, Bell 412 Rescue, T-33, Citabria, F-15, BE-77 and PA-28.