Once again, a family-oriented air show is returning to Akron-Fulton Airport this summer. The Props and Pistons Festival, August 17-18, 2024, offers an affordable and fun experience for the entire family. You will see flying demonstrations, aircraft on display, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) activities, and even a car show.
The Props and Pistons Festival gives visitors a chance to get up-close and personal through airplane tours, warbird, biplane and helicopter rides. The dozens of displays range from WWII warbirds to current military, commercial, and specialty aircraft. At this show you can see a massive Air Force transport plane, the C-17 Globemaster, parked next to something as simple as a Piper Cub. There will also be FREE Flight Simulators, a FREE Kids’ Zone, live music, and food trucks.
We will be honoring veterans from the past by performing our 3rd annual “Flight of the Flags” ceremony. During this somber ceremony, pre-registered families will bring their loved one’s burial flags for one last flight. The student honor guard from Green High School JROTC will load the flags into a WWII TBM Avenger (same type that George Bush was shot down in WWII), for one last flight while members of the Honor Guard conduct a 21gun salute, a flag folding demonstration, and a description of the meaning of each part of a military funeral. The aircraft will circle over the airport during a moment of silence. After landing, each flag will be reunited with their family and the pilot will personally present them with a certificate. We are hoping to fly 40 flags each day!!!
The Airbase Arizona Flying Museum is bringing two of the most iconic warplanes from World War II to visit Akron. The B-17, Sentimental Journey, and B-25, Maid in the Shade, will arrive on Monday, August 12. Rides and ground tours may be purchased for both planes throughout the week. A complete list of times and instructions to purchase flights or tours will be posted to our website.
The B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey is one of only five currently flying in the world out of over 12,000 manufactured for combat during WWII – and is the leading exhibition warbird in The Flying Legends of Victory Tour conducted by CAF Airbase Arizona, a non-profit flying museum.
Discounted festival admission tickets are on sale now with the option to purchase a raffle ticket for a ride on the B-17. These limited discount tickets won’t last long and the raffle ends on 15 June.
The Props and Pistons Festival is designed to be an entertaining and educational event. “What we’d really love to see come out of this festival, too, is the inspiration of the next generation of pilots, mechanics, engineers, scientists and military members,” said Mike Bowser President of Inspire Aviation and the Festival Vice-Chairman, “This is a safe, yet exciting event where the public can enjoy what aviation has to offer everyone.”
FREE parking and shuttle busses are available at the marked parking lots near the Airdock.