Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing to host “Flying Legends” Show in Warrenton
Have you ever wondered what it was like to fly through the air in the same seats that pilots did during World War II? Well, now you can with the Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing Warbird Tour!
Between June 19-23, the Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing will prepare for landing at the Warrenton/Fauquier Airport, giving visitors the chance to fly in the some of the same planes that service members did 80 years ago. There will be four different aircrafts for available for rides – the Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder, the iconic Boeing PT-17 Stearman as well as larger warbirds like the B-17 Flying Fortress and the B-25 Bomber.
Two years ago my daughter and I had the opportunity to take a ride in the Fairchild Forwarder (last year the event was cancelled due to inclement weather) and for two aviation geeks (and me a WWII buff) it was a dream come true! This aircraft, used by the Civil Air Patrol in World War II up and down the east coast patrolling for U-Boats, is one of only five of its type still airworthy in the U.S. and the only one known to be flying rides for the public. How cool is that?!
We began the ride with a safety briefing by the pilot and ground crew, then we were off! It was super cool talking to the pilot about the history of the aircraft, as well as see Fauquier County from the air. Even though the plane is over 80 years old, the pilot, Tom Ward, assured us it was an easy plane to fly.
We spent about 20 minutes in the air, and it was really cool to pick out all the local landmarks. We even flew over our housing development and where we board our daughters horses.
Take a ride with us by watching the video!
The Capital Wing is an all-volunteer non-profit organization based in Culpeper, Va., with more than 100 members and is a unit of the Commemorative Air Force, whose mission is to educate, inspire, and honor through flight and living-history experiences.
For 2024, the event takes place from Wednesday, June 19 to Sunday, June 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking and admission are free, however, warbird rides will cost anywhere between depending on the aircraft.
For more information on the tour schedule and warplane rides offered, visit the Commemorative Air Force‘s website. I hope you are able to experience a ride with the Capital Wing this year!
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