Planes Fly in Friday for Aviation Expo

Aviation Expo ’97 promises to be an event-packed weekend, with aerobatics and static displays Saturday and Sunday at Van Nuys Airport.

But Friday afternoon will provide an air show of its own as dozens of airplanes, ranging from vintage World War II propeller craft to a B-1B Lancer bomber and a Harrier vertical-takeoff jet, arrive at the airfield for the weekend.

Stacy Geere, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles City Department of Airports and the show’s coordinator, said 75 military, business and classic planes will be on display both days. Some will fly in today, but the bulk are scheduled to touch down Friday afternoon, with 1 to 3 p.m. shaping up as “prime viewing time” for aircraft aficionados, Geere said.

She stressed that those interested in watching the landings do so from “any place that’s safe.” The airport’s public observation area is closed for a taxiway relocation project, but Hayvenhurst Place north of the runway is popular for watching approaching aircraft, as is the outdoor viewing area of the 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant on Raymer Street.

Aviation Expo ’97 officially runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Parachute team jumps and other aerial demonstrations are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. The B-2 stealth bomber, which made its debut over Los Angeles skies at last year’s expo, will return for a flyover at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Admission and parking for the event are free. There is no on-site parking, but free shuttles will operate from parking lots at Monroe and Birmingham high schools, Kaiser Marquardt Industries and the Woodley Avenue Golf Course.