LAKE CHARLES - The Chennault International Airshow will fill the sky over Lake Charles Sept. 28-29 with thrill-a-minute aerobatic stunts, precision maneuvers and dozens of rarely-seen aircraft.
Airshow crowds will gather for Saturday and Sunday shows at Chennault International Airport on the east side of Lake Charles-a former Air Force base with a two-mile-long runway capable of handling any aircraft flying today.
Attractions will include the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team; a Canadian CF-18 jet demo; stunt flights by an authentic MiG-17 Cold-War-era Soviet jet; "Fifi," the only B-29 "Superfortress" bomber flying today; the record-setting Dodge Jet Truck from Darnell Racing; Pemberton Aerosports, sponsored by Citgo, described as "the X-Games act of airshows"; and a P-51 fighter from the famed World War II Red Tail Squadron-plus a traveling exhibit spotlighting the Red Tail Squadron and the Tuskegee Airmen.
Other family-friendly attractions include static displays of military and civilian aircraft, radio-controlled aircraft demonstrations, a McDonald's-sponsored Kid Zone, local food vendors, an autograph tent to meet the performers, and a photo pit and photo tour for photographers.
-Chennault International Airshow Award Winning Announcer, Rob Reider-
As the only major airshow scheduled in Louisiana this year, the Chennault show promises to provide thrills for aviation fans from all over the state. Three of the airshow performers have Louisiana credentials: Aeroshell team member Steve Gustafson studied aviation at Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles. Kevin Coleman is a second-generation airshow pilot from Bossier City, and he's a full-time student at Louisiana Tech University. And when he's not flying in airshows, Jeremy Holt is a B-52 pilot at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City.
The airshow website, chennaultairshow.com, offers online ticket purchase plus information about all aspects of the show, including volunteer opportunities and sponsorships. Fans can find continuous updates on the Chennault International Airshow Facebook page, and across social media with hashtag #lcairshow. Tickets are on sale now, see: http://chennaultairshow.com/tickets/