Family Day @ the Jetport TOMORROW!

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Third-annual 'FAMILY DAY @ the jetport'

regional aviation festival set for Oct. 8

SANFORD, N.C. - Parachute jumps, a variety of aircraft and free plane rides for youth headline this year's FAMILY DAY @ the jetport, the Research Triangle's third-annual aviation festival.

Family Day is set for October 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Raleigh Exec: The Raleigh Executive Jetport at Sanford-Lee County.

Since its inaugural year, Family Day has grown in scope and popularity. Last fall, about 5,000 people turned out for the festival.

Many were attracted by free plane rides for youth, ages 8 through 17, offered by the EAA Young Eagles, an international organization that has provided more than 1.6 million free flights since 1992. About 520 children flew at Family Day last year alone.

Young Eagles flights will be offered again this fall, along with parachute jumps by the Special Forces Association Jump Team, a fire-fighting demonstration by the North Carolina Forest Service and the chance to explore historic and contemporary aircraft.

Jetport manager Dan Swanson says Family Day started out as a fairly modest way to thank the region for supporting the general aviation airport and to help young people learn more about flight. But it keeps growing.

"There's no doubt that enthusiasm builds every year," says Swanson. "People are now asking about Family Day all year long. It really is a great chance to explore all kinds of different planes and helicopters - and to see everything aviation has to offer."

That includes some things that might not immediately jump to mind. Balloons, for example.

Celebrities scheduled to appear include Jonathan Trappe, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest duration flight by helium-filled balloons. The adventurer, who also gained notoriety last year for crossing the English Channel in a chair attached to a cluster of balloons, will be teaming up with Brian Hoyle to offer tethered balloon rides.

Other celebrities are better known for their mobility on the ground. They include racing legend Bobby Allison, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and current NASCAR modified driver Burt Myers. Both will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs.

Myers, known nationally for his appearance on History television's "Madhouse" series, is enthusiastic about making his second trip to Family Day. He plans to bring his car for everyone to see and take some time to explore the aircraft, himself, as he did last year.

"I like seeing those vintage-type planes, and a couple of the crew even got a chance to ride in one of them," Myers says. "It's a neat experience."

Youth planning to participate in the free Young Eagles flights need to have a parent or legal guardian present to sign registration forms. Swanson recommends arriving early in the day and registering for the flight first. "That way, if you need to wait a while," he says, "you can spend that time exploring everything else out on the field."

Festival parking, admission and nearly all attractions, including EAA Young Eagles flights, are free. A fee may be charged for rides in some vintage aircraft.

The festival will be held rain or shine. Some activities, including the tethered balloon rides, are weather permitting.

Continuing updates about the event, including notes about confirmed aircraft and special guests, are available at Facebook.com/RaleighExec.

FAMILY DAY @ the jetport is sponsored by Capital Bank, Waste Management, Eastern Aviation Fuels, Wilkinson Cadillac Chevrolet Buick GMC of Sanford, The LPA Group, Time Saver Aviation, Frontier Spinning Mills, BB&T and First Bank.

Raleigh Exec: The Raleigh Executive Jetport at Sanford-Lee County is located at 700 Rod Sullivan Road, just off of U.S. Highway 1 at Exit 76 (Farrell Road), about 20 miles southwest of Cary.