The 2011 Wichita Flight Festival started off strong on Saturday, Aug. 20 with people lining up at the gate wanting to be the first ones inside to experience the "Fun of Flight" they had heard so much about. With such a high level of community anticipation, it's no surprise that before the festival ended late Sunday afternoon, an estimated 15,000 people had walked through the gates at Colonel James Jabara Airport. (Nearly 4,000 people alone attended Saturday night's Twilight Air Show and Concert with the first 500 receiving a gift compliments of Coleman Co.)

Daytime air shows, a Twilight Air Show and Concert, Kid's Zone with inflatables, Wichita Area Technical College Open House, eclectic Food Concourse and Fly Market vendor and education area gave families plenty of opportunities to entertain themselves and be entertained.

"We couldn't have asked for a better festival," said John D'Angelo, Manager of the City of Wichita's Arts & Cultural Services Division. "We in Wichita take great pride in our rich aviation history and the role general aviation plays in our community. This year we were able to showcase the 'Fun of Flight' that appealed to both the pilots, aviation enthusiasts, children and families alike."

This is the ninth year that the City of Wichita has presented the Wichita Flight Festival with the support of many community sponsors.

Daytime Air Show

Throughout the festival, kids and kids at heart crowded to the edge of the tarmac to watch 10 air acts perform stunts. It wasn't uncommon to hear, "How did they do that?" and "Wow!" [Air performer lineup]

The performers came from as far away as Toronto, Ontario, Canada to as close as our own back yard (pilots Doug Jackson and Michael "Gameshow" Rambo are both from Wichita). Some of the crowd favorites included the lightning-fast Firecat jet flown by Califorina-native Rich Perkins and the phenomenal wing-walking skills of Georgia-native Ashley Battles. Battles, who performed with pilot Greg Shelton, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest duration wing walk of four hours and two minutes over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

Fly Market and Static Displays

Jabara Airport's Hangar 1 was home to the festival's Fly Market vendor and education area.

Among those offering Fly Market booths were model aircraft enthusiasts, rocket builders and experimental aircraft lovers. The whole goal was to let as many people as possible know that pilots aren't the only ones who can enjoy aviation and take pride in Wichita's standing as the "Air Capital of the World."

"Children were awed by machinery they often don't see up close, and some were even invited into the cockpits," said Paul D. Fiebich, who served as ramp boss and static plane coordinator. "Parents were pleased to expose their families to new learning experiences, and pilots enjoyed the opportunity to display and talk about their aviation passions."

Crowds also made their way to nearby static aircraft displays and a special attraction -- a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and crew, both of which flew in Afghanistan. This gave people the opportunity to show their appreciation to veterans and all they do to keep our country safe.

There was one participant who brought his own airplane to display that had many starstruck. Three-time Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Unser is a fan of speed on the ground and in the air. He gladly took pictures and signed autographs for those who couldn't believe they were meeting a racecar legend!

Twilight Air Show and Concert

During Saturday night's Twilight show, the silent finesse of a engine-less sailplane was balanced with the loud booms of the Shockwave Jet Truck that exceeded 300 mph. A 750-foot long Wall of Fire had everyone on their feet and cheering.

The evening's finale was a 90-minute concert by Los Angeles-based Doors tribute band Peace Frog that perfectly re-created the atmosphere of a vintage Doors concert. 

All of the daytime and evening events were wonderfully coordinated by Ralph Royce and narrated by Larry Strain. Both individuals can be credited for keeping the crowd's attention and the show going off without a hitch.

With the 2011 Wichita Flight Festival now in the books, sights are being set on next year's event that is planned for McConnell Air Force Base in conjunction with its Open House and Air Show. Keep checking the Wichita Flight Festival Web site for updates.