Air Show gets new name, stronger focus

Flying solo, but looking to soar higher, the Porterville Air Show committee is looking to improve the 2011 show.

For decades the Porterville Moonlight Fly-in and air show was put on by the Porterville Area Pilots Association. Then, as that group grew older, the event fell by the wayside. A few years ago it was brought back and now the committee is putting a strong effort together to put on an improved show for the community.

The biggest change is the name. No longer is Eagle Mountain Casino a sponsor so the name of the 2011 event is “Porterville Air Faire.” The 2011 edition, themed, “Wings, Wheels and Speed” will be held Friday and Saturday, June 10-11.

“We want to bring it back to its glory,” said committee chairman Dave Nenna. For years, the Porterville Moonlight Fly-in was one of the largest on the West Coast and also at one time, it was one of the longest-running such events.

“We want to get it the recognition it once had,” said Nenna.

The 2011 show will begin with the arrival of planes on Friday, but the air show and other activities will all be on Saturday. They are planning a dinner on Friday night where people can mingle with some of the air show performers.

“Every year we will have a focus. One year it may be vintage aircraft,” said Nenna, adding that the 2011 show will include the many varied aircraft, displays of vintage cars and air drag races in three categories. The committee is excited about the drag races.

Tentative plans for the 2011 show also include a three-person skydiving team that will kick off and close the air show on Saturday, the air show with several acts, a dance with a live band on Saturday, hot air balloon, the vintage car display, rides in a Stearman bi-plane and other planes and an Army climbing wall.

Nenna noted that attendance last year was not as good as they hoped, but they are confident that this year’s show will have more to offer the community.

The committee, about a dozen members, is looking for others in the community to get involved as well.

“Anyone is welcome to join the committee. We want people to take ownership and keep this thing going,” he said.

The committee is about to get its non-profit tax status and has plans to come up with programs that will get young people not only interested in flying, but in the air show as well.

The next meeting of the committee is 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Porterville Airport Administration Building.