Parachute demonstration part of Frederick's Open Hangar Day

July 08--FREDERICK -- The World War II Airborne Demonstration Team (ADT) has scheduled its Summer 2012 Open Hangar Day for July 28.

Sponsored by the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, the event is held to showcase the completion of the ADT's Summer Jump School for parachutists, and to recognize World War II veterans, officials said.

The free Open Hangar Day will be held at the historic Frederick Army Airfield section of the Frederick Regional Airport, southeast of town. Frederick is about 160 miles south of Woodward on U.S. Highway 183.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 28.

CHANCE TO FLY WITH TEAM

Frederick Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sharon Bennett said an airborne jump demonstration is planned for around 8 a.m. But the timing of the jump depends on weather conditions, she said.

"It depends on the wind," she said. "It gets stronger later, and that affects the jumpers and where they land."

Bennett said the public has 2 options for how to enjoy the jump demonstration. They can either watch from the ground at the airport, or watch from the C-47 airplane while it is dropping the paratroopers in the air.

For a chance to ride aboard the C-47, Bennett said you need to sign up as a Gold Level Member of the Airborne Demonstration Team's support organization.

Contact her for details or to sign up for the ride at (580) 335-2126 or at [email protected].

Those wishing to ride with the parachutists on the C-47 need to make a reservation by 5 p.m. on July 26. The plane will be taking off around 7:30 a.m. on July 28.

VISITORS CAN LOOK AT PLANES, MILITARY DISPLAYS

In addition to watching the parachutists' demonstration, visitors to the Open Hangar Day can enjoy getting an up close look at a variety of aircraft.

This includes a T-6 Texan II, a turbopropeller trainer which is the first aircraft flown by most new U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.

"Sheppard Air Force Base, of Wichita Falls, Texas, is bringing the T-6," Bennett said.

Area pilots are also invited to show off their own planes as part of a free fly-in to be held in conjunction with the Open Hangar Day.

As a thank you for participating in the fly-in, pilots will be provided with a free breakfast at 8 a.m. and other refreshments throughout the day, Bennett said. In addition, she said, "Transportation will be available to take pilots to town."

Bennett said the pilots and other visitors to the Open Hangar Day may want to visit Frederick for a wider variety of foods, or they may want to tour the Crawford Collection. She explained that the Crawford Collection is an assembly of stuffed lions, tigers, bears and other specimens that the Crawford family of Frederick has obtained.

"It's really cool," she said of the taxidermy collection.

For those who stay at the airfield there will still be plenty to do.

Bennett said the Air Force, Army and National Guard recruiting services will have interactive displays and are sponsoring a rock climbing wall to test climbers' skills.

In addition, military displays and memorabilia will be presented by the members of the ADT, Bennett said.

"Historic military vehicles will be on display, and instructors and students from the jump school will be on hand to answer questions about the team," she said.

World War II veterans will be recognized and announced at 2 p.m. during the wing pinning ceremony for the jump school graduates.

For more information about the Open Hangar Day and fly-in, contact Bennett at the Frederick Chamber of Commerce or visit the Chamber's website at http://frederickokchamber.org.

Copyright 2012 - The Woodward News, Okla.