San Gabriel Valley Airport’s Open House This Weekend Oct. 26-27

AnnualSan Gabriel Valley Air Fair offers free fun for the whole family

The SanGabriel Valley Air Fair is scheduled for Oct. 26-27. The Air Fare celebratesflight in the San Gabriel Valley annually and offers rides to patrons. Thisyear is geared toward family entertainment, according to organizer Gabe Lopez.

MissionFlight, a volunteer organization of pilots, will be taking children withspecial needs on private flights in small aircraft with all expenses covered.For everyone else interested in flights, a nominal fee will allow members ofthe public to be a passenger on the aircraft. Lopez calls it “an inspirationalflight for life.”

Lopez wantsto spread the word that the world needs pilots now more than ever. “The lastbig push for pilots was around the Vietnam timeframe,” and since major airlinesmandate retirement at the age of 65 since 2009, according to FAA regulations.The older pilots are quickly approaching the age in which they will no longerbe flying. This pilot deficit is what Lopez is trying to curb by inspiring thecommunity with his love for flight.

Lopez is theson of 1st Lieutenant Edward Lopez, a fighter pilot in Korea and World War II. Lopezhimself has held a pilot’s license for more than 40 years and admittedly lovesit. Among the ability to dodge traffic and feel absolute freedom, he says theperks of being a pilot are numerous. “The convenience of being able to fly outto Catalina for lunch is fantastic.”

They haveover 65 flights scheduled Saturday and will also have vintage aircraft and cardisplays, venders, and even aviation colleges telling the kids how they can getstarted in this great aviation career. Lopez, who is also the San GabrielValley Airport manager, will be showing off his vintage Stearman bi-plane andhis father, Edward, now 96 years young, will be the guest WWII fighter pilotvet and he’ll be signing his book at the air show.

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