World War II-era fighter planes will duel for control of the skies over Geneseo and Livingston County this weekend.
Organized by the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group, the annual Geneseo Airshow takes off Thursday, with rare planes flying in from national and international locations to attend this year’s “famous fighters” show.
Now in its 33rd year, the show offers a chance for people to get close to planes from the 1940s. That freedom to move amongst the planes and see them from just feet away is what makes the show special, said board president Austin Wadsworth.
“The thing about our show that is unique is that it’s very personal. You can get very close, talk to the crews,” he said. “It’s one of the things that makes our show different from other air shows.”
Several rare warbirds will be present for this year’s show, said Wadsworth. An AVRO Lancaster bomber — one of only two that are still flying, according to information from organizers — will be present in Geneseo, along with a Fw-190 German fighter and a restored Redtail Mustang.
Held at the Geneseo Airport, the show starts Thursday as Rob Holland takes off at 6 p.m. for an aerial aerobatics performance. Charlie Price, a Tuskegee Airman from Rochester, will discuss his World War II experiences after Holland’s show is complete. Both of Thursday’s events are free.
Planes will begin arriving on Friday, with admission to the field to watch the landings costing $12 per person, with children 12 years of age and younger admitted free. The gates open at 6 a.m. Friday.
Saturday and Sunday will see a steady stream of aerial performances from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with tickets at the gate for adults priced at $20.
“Other shows, there’s 25-to-30 minutes of dead space in the act to hold the cost down,” said Wadsworth. “Since most of our people are volunteers or lightly paid ... we can afford to do more, and we do, to keep the planes in the air all the time. That’s the main thing.”
Last year’s show drew 75 planes and more than 20,000 spectators, said Wadsworth. A similar number of planes are expected this year, with organizers hoping to attract 25,000 spectators.
Money from the air show goes to the Historical Aircraft Group. The group operates the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum, which restores and preserves World War II and Korean War-era planes.
World War II-era fighter planes will duel for control of the skies over Geneseo and Livingston County this weekend.
Organized by the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group, the annual Geneseo Airshow takes off Thursday, with rare planes flying in from national and international locations to attend this year’s “famous fighters” show.
Now in its 33rd year, the show offers a chance for people to get close to planes from the 1940s. That freedom to move amongst the planes and see them from just feet away is what makes the show special, said board president Austin Wadsworth.
“The thing about our show that is unique is that it’s very personal. You can get very close, talk to the crews,” he said. “It’s one of the things that makes our show different from other air shows.”
Several rare warbirds will be present for this year’s show, said Wadsworth. An AVRO Lancaster bomber — one of only two that are still flying, according to information from organizers — will be present in Geneseo, along with a Fw-190 German fighter and a restored Redtail Mustang.
Held at the Geneseo Airport, the show starts Thursday as Rob Holland takes off at 6 p.m. for an aerial aerobatics performance. Charlie Price, a Tuskegee Airman from Rochester, will discuss his World War II experiences after Holland’s show is complete. Both of Thursday’s events are free.
Planes will begin arriving on Friday, with admission to the field to watch the landings costing $12 per person, with children 12 years of age and younger admitted free. The gates open at 6 a.m. Friday.
Saturday and Sunday will see a steady stream of aerial performances from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with tickets at the gate for adults priced at $20.
“Other shows, there’s 25-to-30 minutes of dead space in the act to hold the cost down,” said Wadsworth. “Since most of our people are volunteers or lightly paid ... we can afford to do more, and we do, to keep the planes in the air all the time. That’s the main thing.”
Last year’s show drew 75 planes and more than 20,000 spectators, said Wadsworth. A similar number of planes are expected this year, with organizers hoping to attract 25,000 spectators.
Money from the air show goes to the Historical Aircraft Group. The group operates the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group Museum, which restores and preserves World War II and Korean War-era planes.
