Line-up of aerobatic performers announced for Fly Iowa Airshow in Iowa City

The line-up of aerobatic performers who will take to the skies as part of the Fly Iowa Airshow at the Iowa City Municipal Airport later this month has been announced. Headlining the event will be the Vanguard Squadron, an aerobatic formation team that will operate their ethanol-powered aircraft in a show of loops, rolls, and other maneuvers while flying within a few feet of one another's wingtips.

Other performers include Darrel Massman, who will execute highly complex aerobatics in his custom-built Panzl 330 aircraft and a modified Boeing Stearman, as well as Erik Edgren and Grant Nielsen, who will perform individual precision aerobatics routines. Edgren will be piloting a 1940s model clipped-wing Taylorcraft, while Nielsen will fly his "Pitts Special" aircraft. A local Iowa City team, the University of Iowa Operator Performance Lab, will use their L-29 jets and MI-2 helicopter to showcase some of the major research and technology advancements taking place at the Iowa City Airport.

The airshow is scheduled as part of the Fly Iowa weekend on Saturday, June 28 from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the airport, 1801 S. Riverside Drive in Iowa City. The event is open to the public, and there is no charge to attend. Gates will open at 8 a.m., allowing attendees an opportunity to view displays and watch hourly aircraft demonstrations before airshow gets underway. Vendors will be on hand to offer a variety of breakfast, lunch, and other foods for sale.

On Sunday, June 29, the second day of Fly Iowa, a "Young Eagles" event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, offering free airplane rides for kids aged 8 to 17. Participants will need to register in advance of boarding the plane. Displays and demonstrations are also scheduled for Sunday.

Contributing sponsors for the Fly Iowa event are AM Management, AECOM, Bolton & Menk Engineers & Surveyors, Eye Physicians & Surgeons, Iowa Aviation Promotion Group, Iowa Children's Museum, Iowa City Municipal Airport, Jet Air, Kinze Manufacturing, and Lepic-Kroeger Realtors. Other sponsors include Arena Auto Body, Joe Assouline, Lovetinsky Harapat Auto Service, Lynch's Plumbing, Chuck McDonald, Christine Ogren and Bruce Hostager, Stephanie Smith, and University of Iowa Community Credit Union. FUEL from Hiawatha has also supported the event with marketing and event planning and materials.

For more information or event updates, visit www.facebook.com/FlyIowa or www.flyiowa.org/fly-iowa-2014.

Source:  http://www.press-citizen.com