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In October, 1964 Potomac Press (Loudoun-Times Mirror) published a 20 page booklet in celebrating of the opening of Godfrey Field ~ present day Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO). On the cover of the booklet they juxtaposed Leesburg oldtimer "Alabama Joe" Watkins and his blind horse "Big Boy" against a departing Cessna. Now, 47 years later, let me juxtapose that image against the modern airport JYO has become. Today, sporting a modern terminal and jet ready facilities, Leesburg Executive Airport is a dream for the corporate flyer. This Saturday the airport celebrates its contribution to the Leesburg community with its second annual airshow. |
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Aviation Week in Leesburg |
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Leesburg's 2nd Annual Airshow |
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Gary Dickens September 2011 |
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Okay, perhaps to give this week's events at Leesburg Executive Airport the moniker "Aviation Week" is a little exagerated, but I suspect I'm only a year early. Point is, there are some very cool things happening this week out at our airport. The headliner of course is the 2nd Annual Airshow on Saturday, October 1st, but the more I interviewed people for the show, the more I found out was going on. Like Projet's Sixth Annual Aviation Education Seminar on Friday, Sept 30th. This event (by invitation) is a chance for young adults to learn and be inspired about possible careers in aviation. I cover it further in this linked article. Then there's the vintage DC-3 that's flying in for a week of display and tours. Doesn't take a lot more (like suggesting Hawker-Beechcraft and others to do their fall mid-Atlantic marketing tours this week next year?) and then all the sudden you've got a real aviation week. But I digress, let's talk about the airshow coming up this Saturday. |
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| The Second Annual Leesburg Airshow featuring live aerobatics, wingwalking and all types of aircraft in static display. This Saturday, October 1st. Gates open at 11am, the aerobatics start at 1pm. The whole event runs until 4pm and is free. For full details visit the airshow website at http://www.leesburgairshow.com To see photos from the 2010 airshow visit http://leesburgmag.com/Events/LeesburgAirShow2010.html |
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A vintage DC-3 will be on display at the Leesburg Airshow this Saturday. First built in 1936 as a passenger aircraft for American Airlines, over 16,000 were built until 1942. In warpaint the aircraft became the C-47 and was invaluable for troop transport, airborne assaults and delivering cargo. The rugged DC-3 is still in active service around the world. The DC-3 for this yewar's show is provided by the Flagship Detroit Foundation, http://www.flagshipdetroit.org. |
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The best place for information regarding the airshow is the webshow the Town of Leesburg has produced: http://www.leesburgairshow.com. A mutlimedia site, not only can you get all the pertinent details, but there are videos of the different aerobatic acts. Basically, get there at 11am and plan on staying until they close at 4pm. The airshow is free and is kid friendly so plan on bringing the whole family. There will be food vendors so don't worry about getting hungry or thirsty. The aerobatic events are at the heart of the show, from 1pm to 3pm, so please be there for those. If you want, and are pressed for time you can actually visit some of the static displays and watch the aerobatics too. Parking was well organized last year and shuttles will be run. Last year the attendance was about 5000, this year the expectations are for 8000-10,000. Another reason to get there on the early side. |
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The Leesburg Airshow is all about being kid and family friendly. A number of static displays will probably allow the kids to clamber about, they did last year. |
For those who enjoy the fine art of fine cars, there will be a carshow in conjunction with Saturday's airshow. Also held on the tarmac these vintage cars add to the amount the family can see and do. Oh, the weather is looking good for Saturday and a little sun on the tarmac can quickly lead to sunburn. I know it's fall but a some SPF 40 will be in order. |
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Leesburg Executive Airport produced over $78 million dollars in economic activity for the area, third highest in the Commonwealth. Over 200 jobs are located there, between the various businesses and entities that have a presence. Not too shabby. The airshow is the chance for you to experience your local airport, to be thrilled by the aerobatics, to ponder the bravery of those who fought for us in foreign skies. Aviation, up close and personal. Might even be a corn dog and a funnel cake in the equation. Come on out Saturday and see. Bring the family, bring a neighbor. |
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Good times at the Leesburg Airshow...and who knows what next year may bring! |
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