Air Festival in Ocean City
By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer, (609) 463-6712
Published: Saturday, September 23, 2006
OCEAN CITY — The resort's annual air festival is on a smaller scale than Atlantic City's extravaganza in more ways than one.

The festival has far fewer aerial demonstrations than Atlantic City's popular show.

And Municipal Airport attendant Bart Beck said the highlight for many people is the remote-controlled model plane demonstrations by Star Blazers, an Atlantic County club.

“I like the models,” he said. “They had a jet here last year. It was a screamer. It was really fast. Jet propelled. For a model that's unusual.”

Beck said the airport's runway will be closed from noon to 1:30 p.m. for the model-plane demonstration, including a mock dogfight between World War II models.

The show also will feature demonstrations of a banner-plane pickup and a water rescue drill by the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.

But the best part for some visitors is getting a firsthand look at unusual aircraft that fly into the airport for the occasion.

“It's great access. You can get a pretty close look at the planes,” Beck said. “We never know who's going to be here until they get here. Ordinarily, we have some classics or antiques fly in. Ultralights. Maybe even a World War II trainer.”

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the airport at 26th Street and Bay Avenue. Admission is free.

To e-mail Michael Miller at The Press:

MMiller@pressofac.com