| | | THANK YOU to all of our guests, vendors, pilots, sponsors, volunteers, and participants! Valkaria Air Fest 2008 was a resounding success, with beautiful weather, a large crowd, two great airshows, and a stunning variety of aircraft arriving throughout the day. We look forward to doing it again in 2009! 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! | | To see photos, video, and articles from VAF 2008, go to our Photo and Media Coverage Page. | |
Saturday, February 16, 2008
8:00 am - 8:00 pm
(Rain Date: Feb. 17)
At Valkaria Airport (X59)
Admission Fee: $2 per person | | Celebrating 50 Years of Valkaria Airport's Operation By Brevard County | | |  | The Space Coast aviation community has again come together to put on this fun event so that our many friends and neighbors in the communities of Grant-Valkaria, Malabar, Palm Bay, Micco, Melbourne, Sebastian, Vero Beach, and surrounding areas can get the chance to visit and learn more about the exciting things taking place at Valkaria Airport. We have planned a day of family-friendly, FUN, and educational activities for all ages. We would be honored for you to visit us at the "aviation jewel of South Brevard" and find out more about the exciting things happening at YOUR local airport! |
Planned 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 2008, 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... and you REALLY don't want to miss the rare treat of TWILIGHT AEROBATICS! Scheduled performers include Gene McNeely, John Black, Skydive Sebastian, High-Performance Flybys of a P-51 Mustang and Racing Aircraft, a Hot-Air Balloon Glow, and perhaps a few surprises as well! To learn more about the air show acts and events, 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.
- History Hangar
We will have many aviators with amazing and historic experiences on hand, sharing their amazing stories with you! This is a rare opportunity to talk with history-making aviators, including original Tuskegee Airmen, legendary fighter aces, combat pilots who flew everything from fighers and bombers to the SR-71, interesting historical presentations, and more! Whatever you do, DON'T MISS THIS! For details on the History Hangar attendees, go to our History Hangar page.
- Aircraft Rides
You can experience the rare thrill and history of flying in some of aviation's most legendary training aircraft! You and a friend can take a ride in a 1942 Stearman PT-17 biplane, the primary trainer which introduced many new pilot candidates to the world of flight. This PT-17 has TWO seats up front, so you can share your nostalgic, exhilarating, open cockpit biplane ride with a friend! Or you can take a ride in the legendary World War Two-era advanced trainer, the SNJ/Harvard/T-6 Texan... the plane in which 'The Greatest Generation' learned combat tactics... the T-6 was the last stop before flying the fighters that won back the skies from the Axis powers! Prices vary, depending upon the aircraft, flight profile, and length of flight experience. Provided by John Lumley and Warbird Adventures
- Hot Air Balloon Glow
 | | Evening Balloon Glow (Photo: Timothy O'Connor, via AvWeb.com) | As the sun sets, view 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!
- Music & Dancing with The Musicaires
Enjoy great live music on a nice afternoon!
- Aviation Organizations, Schools & Manufacturers
See exhibits by many aviation organizations, schools and manufacturers
- Boy Scout Campout
A great opportunity for Scouts to learn about the exciting world of aviation and earn their Aviation Merit Badge! FMI: Contact LeRoy Rotgers at (321) 727-1419
- Good Food & Refreshments
Enjoy good food and drink (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and all-day Refreshments) at nominal prices... you don't have to break the bank to feed the family! Sponsored by EAA Chapter 1288, the Valkaria Aviation Association (VAA), and the Melbourne Area Pilots Association (MAPA)
- DEMONSTRATIONS:
- Skydiving - Jumping & Parachute Rigging
Skydive Sebastian will jump in, and also demonstrate how parachutes are rigged and packed. We especially encourage kids and young people to check this out, they just might even get to help!
- Radio Controlled Aircraft Demos
Experience exciting flight demonstrations and ground displays of a variety of model aircraft... you may even get a chance to try flying an R/C model yourself! Presented throughout the day by the Indian River Kontrol Society (IRKS)
- Gyrocopters
See these unique and popular rotary-wing aircraft that are a cross between an airplane and a helicopter!
- Powered Parachutes (PPC's)
These slow, simple, easy-to-fly aircraft are a great way to enjoy the view from above at a leisurely pace!
- Motorglider
Not all sailplanes need to be towed to altitude by another airplane!
(Please note that all events and participants are subject to change)
|
Print This Page
&){kind=spacer}
