By Jennifer Stahl

Staff writer

GRANT-VALKARIA - Although there will be no aerial acrobatics featured at the inaugural air fest Feb. 17 at Valkaria Airport, there will be plenty of aviation displays.

Valkaria Air Fest 2007, sponsored by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1288, is designed to highlight Valkaria Airport and the many exciting things the field of aviation has to offer area residents, said Steve Borowski, airport manager.

"There will be no acrobatics," Mr. Borowski said. "This is an open house for the airport, showcasing the facility as a recreational airport."

Valkaria Airport is a general aviation airport that supports approximately 30,000 takeoffs and landings each year. The airport, which does not support commercial flights, will display its master plan and airport layout plan at the event.

Members of the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners will attend to get a feel for the airport's future, Mr. Borowski said.

"The county commissioners truly have a deep concern about the airport and where it's going," Mr. Borowski said. "They're coming here to see what the local community and aviators want and need from a small county airport."

Planned activities include a static aircraft display, helicopter rides and model aircraft demonstration. Skydivers from Skydive Sebastian will perform a jumping and parachute rigging presentation, in which skydivers will demonstrate how parachutes are rigged and packed.

Other aviation exhibits include a mosquito control aerial application and fire suppressant water drop; a powered parachute demonstration; and a motorglider demo.

Festival patrons can take a tour of the wide variety of aircraft currently being built and restored at Valkaria Airport.

The event will also feature a flight simulator, spot landing contest, raffles, family movies, food and refreshments.

Several presentations are scheduled on topics such as general aviation, sport pilot licenses and light sport aircraft and the future of Valkaria Airport.

Event patrons will also have the opportunity to meet three original members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black combat pilots in the U.S. military, who earned a nearly perfect record of protecting their assigned bomber groups during World War II.

The festival is designed as an educational, family-oriented aviation event, Mr. Borowski said.

"All the things that we're doing during this festival are designed to show we can be a viable recreational and general airport," he said.

Valkaria Air Fest 2007 is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Valkaria Airport, 2865 Greenbrooke Street, Grant-Valkaria. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 18.

Admission is free.

For information, visit www.mlbpilots.org, or call event co-chair Mike Whaley at (321) 757-9016.