MUSKEGON, MI \u2013 Muskegon\u2019s airways were full of WWII bombers and aerobatic planes Saturday, July 8, with pilots and plane fanatics gathered at the Wings Over Muskegon Air Show.<\/p>\n
Even with a little rain, people turned out for the show and covered themselves with umbrellas and ponchos, not wanting to miss the aviation event of the year in West Michigan.<\/p>\n
Saturday\u2019s event was the first air show Muskegon has had in 17 years, the last one being in 2006 when Muskegon held a long tradition of showing off aviators from across the country. The Wings Over Muskegon Air Show, a new annual event, served up showcases from B-17 bombers and military-grade jets.<\/p>\n
However, this year\u2019s event was not only a show but an interactive aviation experience for fans of classic planes. Parts of the show offered spectators live looks into the cockpits, talking to the pilots while doing tricks.<\/p>\n
One aerobatic pilot, Rob Holland, an award-winner for his tricks and flight skills, spoke to the crowd as he did flips, dropping 4,000 feet per minute, and pulling quadruple twists.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the biggest draw was the opportunity to board the B-17 WWII plane and take it for a joy ride. One of the volunteers, Jeff Glass, said it was a great experience because stepping into the plane was like stepping into a piece of history.<\/p>\n
Glass said being in the plane and seeing how thin the aluminum was and putting yourself into the shoes of WWII veterans gave him a bit of perspective. When the plane hit its highest speed at 10,000 feet in the air, all he could feel was joy.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody came off that plane with a smile,\u201d Glass said.<\/p>\n
One pilot in attendance at the show who feels that joy every day is Capt. Lindsay \u201cMad\u201d Johnson, the first female pilot of an A-10 demonstration plane, a plane that is commonly used in military combat today.<\/p>\n