Weekend Fun: Riverside Air Show to Feature Military Aircraft, Aerobatic Stunts

RIVERSIDE, CA - Parachute jumps, jumbo jet flybys and aerobatics displays are planned tomorrow for the Riverside Municipal Airport's 24th annual Air Show.

More than 90,000 people are expected to turn out for the event, which gets under way at 9:30 a.m. and goes into late afternoon.

The Menifee-based "Just In Time Skydivers" will welcome spectators with a parachute jump from the back of a transport plane, deploying an American flag on their way down.

Thirty minutes later, stunt pilot Frank Donnelly will perform "Dr. D's Old-Time Aerobatics" in his single-engine 1946 Taylorcraft.

John Collver will steer his T-6 Texan trainer through a number of high- speed maneuvers, all of which will be repeated during an afternoon encore, according to organizers.

Famed aerobatics pilot Jon Melby is also slated to power up his Pitts muscle bi-plane for two performances, during which he'll demonstrate snap rolls, loops and dives.

U.S. Air Force KC-135s and mammoth C-17s from nearby March Air Reserve Base will be making low-passes on the airport, and pilots from the Commemorative Air Force will be formation flying in P-51 Mustangs, C-47 Skytrains and other classic warbirds.

A Riverside Police Department chase simulation on the airport tarmac is scheduled, using the agency's Air 1 helicopter, a K9 team and several patrol units.

A car show, aircraft static displays and military vehicles will be available for visitors to see up close.

The air show is free to the public. Parking will be available at the airport and in surrounding lots owned by local businesses.

More information is available online at https://www.riversideca.gov/Airshow/ .

– By City News Service. Image via Shutterstock.