Chennault fly-in to feature airplane displays, family fun - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana

Aircraft of all vintages, remote-controlled models and cars will all be on display Saturday at the Chennault International Airport Fly-In and Open House.

Admission is free.

The event takes places 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Chennault International Airport, 3650 Sen. J. Bennett Johnston Ave., just south of Interstate 210.

Visitors will be able to see static displays of public and private airplanes and helicopters of various sizes and specifications.

"This is a free, family-friendly event that is Chennault's way of saying thanks for the community for their support of aviation in Southwest Louisiana," said Randy Robb, the airport's executive director.

A privately owned Douglas A-26 Invader is among the vintage aircraft scheduled to fly in for the event. The A-26 was twin-engined, single-pilot light attack bomber used during World War II -- sometimes flying under the name B-26 -- and during the Cold War. It was retired in 1972.

Displays on a much different scale will also be seen. Remote-controlled airplanes and cars will be shown by local collectors.

There also will be a live demonstration by one of the Chennault Fire Department's Oshkosh Stryker 3000 aircraft crash and rescue fire trucks. It's a state-of-the-science vehicle right out of the movies -- a unit that can shoot a powerful jet of water from it nose or puncture a burning plane with a extension tube of firefighting foam. The technology allows the crew to access and extinguish high-temperature fires while safely inside the truck.

Also, a local car show will take place near the aircraft display.

Vendors will sell food at booths. Chennault will provide free Coca-Cola products and bottled water.

"For pilots who would like to attend the fly-in, we'll welcome them with and free fuel and discount fuel," said Cortez Gallien, Chennault's director of operations, who is the event coordinator.

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