| | | THANK YOU to all of our guests, vendors, pilots, sponsors, volunteers, and participants! Valkaria Air Fest 2009 was a real success, with beautiful weather, lots of people, two great airshows, and a stunning variety of aircraft arriving throughout the day. We look forward to doing it again in 2010! We encourage comments and suggestions from anyone who attended, to help us make it even better for next year... please let us know what you think! | | |  | | Photo by Roger Scruggs | |
At Valkaria Airport (X59)
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Main activities 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Night airshow starts around 6:00 pm
Rain Date: Feb. 22
Printable Flyer
ADMISSION:
Adults: $10 at gate, $8 in advance
Youth 7-16: $7 at gate, $5 in advance
Kids under 7: FREE!!
Flying In: Anyone arriving in an Experimental (Homebuilt), Ultralight, Vintage/Antique show aircraft, active Military aircraft, or a Warbird will be admitted for free. Occupants of ALL other aircraft types pay regular admission.
FLYING IN:
All aircraft and ultralights are welcome!
NOTAMs, airspace/runway closures, and special procedures will be in effect. GET A BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTURE... NO EXCEPTIONS!
Important info for aviators will be updated on our Pilot Info page.
| | |  | The Space Coast aviation community is coming together again to put on this fun event so that our many friends and neighbors in the communities of Grant-Valkaria, Malabar, Palm Bay, Micco, Melbourne, Viera, Sebastian, Vero Beach, and surrounding areas can get the chance to visit and learn more about the many exciting things taking place at Valkaria Airport and all along the Space Coast. We have planned a day of family-friendly FUN and educational activities for all ages, and would be honored for you to visit us at the "aviation jewel of South Brevard" to find out more about the excitement happening at YOUR local airport! VAF 2009 is produced by the Valkaria Aviation Association. The Pancake Breakfast is sponsored by Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1288 (Valkaria), EAA Chapter 866 (Titusville), EAA Chapter 724 (Merritt Island), and EAA Chapter 288 (Spruce Creek/Daytona Beach). |
Scheduled Events
In the months and weeks leading up to the Valkaria Air Fest, we work hard to arrange for a wide variety of interesting activities, aircraft, displays and vendors to be on hand. This list is only a PARTIAL list of activities, as additional events and activities are added we will update it... so check back often!
If you would like to become a participant in Valkaria Air Fest 2009, please let us know!
- Two Air Shows - Daytime and Twilight!
See beautiful aerobatics and other aerial demonstrations! The first session will be held mid-day... but you REALLY don't want to miss the rare treat of TWILIGHT AEROBATICS! Returning this year during the day are featured performances by Aeroshell's Gene McNeely in his T-6 Texan, John Black flying his Super Decathlon, Fred Cabanas flying his thoroughbred Pitts Special S-2C biplane, parachuting demonstrations by the Leapdogs Parachute Demonstration Team and Skydive Sebastian, High-Performance Flybys including the famed P-51 Mustang, racing aircraft, warbirds, and others. In the evening, we will be treated to an awe-inspiring display of nighttime aerobatic routines while hot air balloons will light up the grounds in a "balloon glow". For the latest details on scheduled airshow performers, visit our Air Show Info page.
- Static Aircraft Displays
See aircraft of all types up close! Ultralights, Homebuilts, Warbirds, Gyrocopters, Powered Parachutes, Helicopters, Hang Gliders, Hot-Air Balloons, Biplanes, Aerobatic Planes, Sailplanes, Racers, General Aviation aircraft, etc.
Just a few of 2008's static-display aircraft:
- History Hangar
One of the most unique features of the Valkaria Air Fest is the opportunity to meet many aviators who have had amazing and historic experiences. We plan to again have many of these fine folks on hand to share their amazing stories with you! Last year we were honored to host many original Tuskegee Airmen, legendary fighter aces, combat pilots who flew everything from fighters and bombers to spy planes, interesting historical presentations, and more. We anticipate that many of last yeasrs's participants will be back this year, and others will join us for the first time. For details on last year's History Hangar attendees, go to our VAF 2008 Archives page.
- Aircraft Rides
You can experience the rare thrill and history of flying in some of aviation's most legendary training aircraft, and we're looking to add some even more impressive flight experience opportunities this time around! We have a variety of aircraft rides scheduled to be available in a range of aircraft, including:
- 1942 Stearman PT-17 biplane - The famed primary trainer which introduced many new pilot candidates to the world of flight before and during World War 2. This PT-17 had TWO seats up front, allowing folks to share a nostalgic, exhilarating, open cockpit biplane ride with a friend! (Operated by John Lumley)
- Robinson R-44 Helicopter - Take a scenic tour of the area in a modern-day helicopter... with the family, a friend, or by yourself! (Operated by Fly High Helicopters)
- Pitts Special S2-C - Airshow pilot Fred Cabanas will be offering aerobatic flight experiences in his Pitts Special S2-C aerobatic biplane... join one of the masters for the ride of a lifetime in one the premiere aerobatic airplanes... no prior experience necessary!
- B-25 Mitchell Bomber - B-25 owner Tom Reilly has made available several seats on his historic B-25 Mitchell bomber, which we will be offering via an online auction. Stay tuned to this website for more details and information on how to bid on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride in the same type of plane that Doolittle and his raiders used to strike back against Japan in those dark days following Pearl Harbor!
- Other rides will likely be added soon!
- Hot Air Balloon Glow
 As the sun sets, guests viewed the magical sight of balloons lighting up the twilight during the hot-air balloon glow. These events are both beautiful and participatory... balloon owners enjoy having folks help out with setting up, taking down, and holding down their balloons! Helping out is lots of fun and you don't need any prior experience. Bring the kids and/or grandkids... and be sure to bring your camera. This was said by many to be one of the most beautiful sights they'd ever seen!
- Aviation Organizations, Schools & Manufacturers
 See exhibits by many aviation organizations, schools and manufacturers
- Good Food & Refreshments
Enjoy good food and drink at nominal prices... our aim is to help you avoid having to break the bank just to feed the family! A variety of food and drink vendors will be open all day long. We will begin the day with an expanded version of our traditional monthly Pancake Breakfast, for only $4. Breakfast will be available from 7:30 am until 11:00 am and is jointly sponsored by EAA Chapter 1288 (Valkaria), EAA Chapter 866 (Titusville), EAA Chapter 724 (Merritt Island), and EAA Chapter 288 (Spruce Creek/Daytona Beach).
- DEMONSTRATIONS:
- Classic Car & Motorcyle Rally
VAF isn't just aircraft! We are pleased to host a Classic Car and Motorcyle rally in cooperation with Vintage Vehicles of Florida.
(Please note that all events and participants are subject to change)
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One of the most popular demos each year are the exciting flight demonstrations and ground displays of a wide variety of model aircraft... you may even get a chance to try flying an R/C model yourself! See model aircraft ranging from amazingly detailed competition R/C scale airplanes to 200 mph control-line racers and aerobatic helicopters. Presented throughout the day by the 
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Did you know that there are homebuilt helicopters, and some even have turbine engines? Or that the gyrocopter can do most of what a helicopter can, but with no engine power going to the rotors? See these unique aircraft in action!
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