Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Flight enthusiasts: Explore 'Aviation Fascination' at Mesa's Falcon Field

Step back in time inside the Sentimental Journey, a World War II-era restored B-17 bomber considered to be the best such restored airplane in the world.

Then, get back to the future and check out an AH-64 Apache Helicopter produced by Mesa-based Boeing,

Or, if you’re lucky, win a Cessna Skycatcher.


Those are just a few of the things flight enthusiasts can do at the Third Annual Aviation Fascination, an event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Commemorative Wing of the Air Force Museum at Falcon Field.

Admission to the event, which will feature more than 25 aircraft and is sponsored by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boeing, is free.

Donations also are being taken for the United Food Bank of the East Valley’s canned food drive for Thanksgiving. Anyone who brings a non-perishable item will receive an extra free raffle ticket to have a chance to win a pair of round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines.

The chamber has received a large amount of its support from Boeing, aviation and aerospace industries, and Thursday’s event, which is expected to attract more than 1,000 people, is a great way to showcase those industries, said Sean Barry, spokesman for the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

“Look at the growing aviation and aerospace industry in the East Valley and how much the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport area has grown,” Barry said. “The event is a good way for the public to come and see some of the aspects of the industries in our area. You can’t go wrong with the Commemorative Wing of the Air Force Museum. Who doesn’t want to go out and see a B-17 bomber or an Apache helicopter?”

Museum volunteers of the Commemorative Wing of the Air Force Museum also are encouraging visitors to check out the ongoing exhibits featuring the Tuskegee Airmen, the WASPS (Women Air Service Pilots) and the P-40s aircraft Flying Tigers and consider purchasing rides on some of the aircraft at the field.

To win the four-seat 2012 Cessna Skycatcher, valued at $120,000, 10 people will be selected from the raffles and then play a series of games where the winner will be selected from a process of elimination.



Aviation Fascination

What: Event to showcase aviation and aerospace industries in the East Valley

When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15.

Where: Commemorative Wing of the Air Force Museum at Falcon Field, 2017 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa.

Cost: Admission is free. Raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2012 four-seat Cessna Skycatcher are $1 each or six for $5.

Information: (480) 969-1307, ext. 25 or www.aviationfascination.com

Source:    http://www.eastvalleytribune.com

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