Eagle Mountain Air Show set to wing way through skies

The Eagle Mountain Air Show & Fly-in is taking place Saturday at the Porterville Municipal Airport.

John A. Collver is performing the first show at noon.

Collver, flying a North American AT-6/SNJ “Texan,” said he will perform actual dogfight maneuvers used by pilots during World War II.

“It’s like flying a national monument,” he said of piloting such a historic aircraft. “It’s kind of a salute to the veterans.”

The performance lasts about 15 minutes.

Air Show activities will be up in the air and on the ground with offerings for the entire family. Antique aircraft and a four-plane jet team will be the featured performers. The Thunder Delfins Jet Team will be flying L29s. They are joined by Frank Donnelly and his clipped wing Taylorcraft in Dr. D’s Old-Time Aerobatics, which includes the very difficult dead stick landing

John Colver will bring his North American T-6, Wardog and the amazing Doug Jardine will perform in his Sukhol-26 MIX. Aircraft will be on display all morning and the show itself kicks off at noon.

The Eagle Mountain Air Show begins with and early morning hot air balloon glow and lift-off at 6:30 a.m., weather permitting. Children’s amusements are an added feature this year for the younger attendees. Food vendors will provide a wide array of choices such as tri-tip sandwiches, hamburgers, roasted corn, steak sandwiches, kettle corn and shaved ice. Craft and commercial booths will be on site with merchandise offerings, and a beer and wine garden is available.

Gates open at 6 a.m. for the early risers planning to catch the lift-off. Other event activities happen throughout the day beginning at 8 a.m. and concluding at 4 p.m.

Individual tickets are priced at $10, over 65 and children 7 to 12 are $5, with children 6 and under free.

The coordinating committee has extended thanks the following entities for their support of this family and tourism event: Eagle Mountain Casino, Tule River Tribal Council, Porterville Aviation, Tule River Aero Industries, Tule River Economic Development Corporation, International Flight Academy, The Porterville Recorder, KTIP 1450, Westcoast Broadcasting, Holiday Inn Express, K100 and Jack Griggs Inc.

-- Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1040.

JUST THE FACTS
WHAT: Eagle Mountain Air Show & Fly-in — “Thunder Over Porterville”
WHEN: Saturday, June 13
6 a.m. — Gates open
6:30 a.m. — Hot air balloons lift off (weather permitting)
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Vendors, Kids Zone open, antique aircraft on display
10 a.m. — Children’s Paper Plane Palooza competition
Noon — Air performances
WHERE: Porterville Municipal Airport, Porterville