Nino Sapone unveiled Bishop Airport’s plans for the “Wings Over Flint” airshow on Oct. 13. Photo by Ben Gagnon
FLINT — For the primary time in over 30 years, Flint Bishop International Airport will function the staging floor for an air show spectacular.
Wings over Flint, a two-day occasion that includes air performances by nationally acknowledged acts, will happen at Bishop Airport on June 24-25, 2023. The air show will even function historic plane shows, a Cadet Zone for youths, numerous meals vendor choices and a beer backyard for adults.
Nino Sapone, CEO of Flint Bishop International Airport, mentioned that the airport is arranging to deliver within the famend U.S. Army Golden Knights aerial parachute staff, together with native navy plane and high-speed jet acts.
“As a kid growing up in Pittsburgh, I attended a lot of airshows with my parents,” he mentioned. “They were exciting. Here at Flint Bishop, we expect that this will be a great way to get the community involved and keep the buzz going around the airport.”
Bishop Airport officers mentioned they anticipate Wings over Flint to draw crowds of 20,000 or extra on each days of the show. Plans are within the works to arrange a spectator space and a show line for plane shows close to the airport’s cargo ramp and FedEx delivery middle.
In addition to spotlighting the armed forces and plane generally, Sapone mentioned that the show will generate curiosity in aviation amongst younger folks.
“We want to get kids interested in aviation and careers in the airline business and show them that it’s not just pilots and flight attendants,” he mentioned. “There are career opportunities for mechanics, fuelers and many positions that are needed. As we expand, there will be many opportunities for job growth.”
Bishop Airport’s final air show was held in 1990, which additionally occurred to be the beginning of Duane Burnash’s employment on the airport. Burnash, now Bishop Airport’s Director of Maintenance and Facilities, was within the upkeep division again then and helped to put together the runways and airfields for plane and staging areas for spectators.
Burnash mentioned that the ultimate Flint Air Show featured quite a lot of sights, together with Air Force Thunderbirds, a Coors Light Silver Bullet mini jet, C-5 cargo planes, F-14 and F-15 fighters and personal acrobatic plane and biplanes.
“It was a big draw for the community,” he mentioned. “I remember them shuttling busloads in and having parking past the General Motors plant down by Van Slyke Road. As a new employee, I was on a high. It was a great sight to watch the (aircraft) land and take off.”
With Wings over Flint set for next summer, Burnash mentioned that spectators of all ages will get a thrill out of seeing an aerial show within the space as soon as once more.
“I think it will be a big uplifting and a great pick-me-up for this community,” he mentioned. “It will lift our spirits.”
Bishop Airport will launch extra particulars on Wings over Flint within the months main up to the show.
