The power

of flight has always astounded man and it wasn't until

this century that flight became possible.

Now we take

it for granted. We can board a plane at any given moment

and be transported across the world in hours. Aviation

technology continues to grow at such an exponential rate

that there are things that planes and helicopters can do

that most people don't even know about. The Wings Over

Dixie Air Show and Festival returns to Falcon Field in

Peachtree City this weekend, to show the public not only

what the future of flight is but to also show them the

genealogy of today's technology.

The

military is the key factor in the growth of aviation in

the 20th century. Military aircraft will be one of the

main components of this weekend's festival. The Army

Aviation Heritage Foundation will present a Vietnam era

reenactment, with helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and

pyrotechnics. There also will be fly-overs by active Army

helicopters including the Apache, the CH-47 Chinook, the

UH-60 Blackhawk and the new OH-58D scout helicopter.

The

machines of past military excursions also will be on hand

at the air show. Rare World War II aircraft like the B-17

Bomber, the B-25 Mitchell, and a replica of a Japanese

Kate torpedo bomber will be exhibited. Current military

aircraft, such as the F-15, F-16, and F-18 fighter also

will be making fly-overs over the festival. The B-1

bomber also will make an appearance.

The key to

any good air show, though, is aerobatic performances, and

Wings Over Dixie has plenty of them. There will be

performances from Pat Epps with a Beech Bomber, Dan

McClurg and the Red Eagle performance team, the

AirshowUnlimited.com aerobatic team, and a routine by the

Atlanta Sky Divers Club. The Earthquake II Jet truck,

which can reach speeds over 300 miles per hour, also will

provide an exhibition.

Wings over

Dixie is hands on, too. You can purchase rides in a 1942

PT-17 Stearman from Biplanes R Us or sit in the cockpit

of an F-16 Falcon and get your picture taken. There is

also a special area for the children with the Wings Over

Dixie Kidsport 99. There will be rides, activities and

chances for the kids to win prizes from J93.3 FM. The

concession stands will have family-friendly concession

prices, with all proceeds benefitting local charitable

organizations.

The air

show/festival seems to get bigger and better each year.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and

free to children under 6. The gates open at 9 a.m. both

Saturday and Sunday, and the air show begins at 1 p.m.

both days.

This is the

only air show in the Atlanta area in 1999, so place your

seats and tray tables in their upright position and head

on out to the Wings Over Dixie Air Show/Festival 99.