Oakland County Airport Expands Annual Air Show and Open House in August

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The Waterford Township-based Oakland County International Airport’s Open House and Air Show, to be held Sunday, Aug. 28, is expanding to include more aerial acts this year.

In addition, the event, located at 6500 Highland Rd., will allow two to four passengers at a time to take open cockpit airplane rides in a vintage aircraft from Waldo Wright’s Flying Service. The flights last 10 minutes and cost $75 per passenger.

“Families come to tour the planes on the ground, but they stay for the excitement of the air show,” says Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson. “The airport open house committee decided this year that it was time to give the fans more of what they love.”

The Dacy Air Show pilots, and pilots Michael Vaknin, Doug Dodge, Kevin Copeland of KC Aerosports in Traverse City, Tom Proctor, and Marty Tibbits, will return to the show this year to perform acrobatic air stunts.

Fifty aircraft will be displayed at the open house including Tuskegee Motor Gliders, warbirds, and vintage jets. World War II military vehicles will also be on display alongside the Oakland County Sherriff’s helicopter and Beaumont One, Beaumont Health’s air medical transportation service.

Remote control giant scale aircraft operators will fly demonstrations as well.

In addition, individuals can takeoff in a helicopter for $35 or an airplane for $25 per adult, $20 for kids under 12, and $55 for one adult and two kids.

A children’s play area, pancake breakfast, and tours of the general aviation terminal will also be available.

“Whether you’re an aviation buff or just a kid deep down inside, the Open House and Air Show has something for everyone,” says J. David VanderVeen, Oakland County’s director of central services, who oversees the airport.

The open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the air show begins at 2 p.m. General admission is free. There is a $5 fee per vehicle for parking.

For more information, visit OakGov.com/aviation.