South Tahoe Air Show

The Lake in the Sky Air Show reaches new heights Saturday at the Lake Tahoe Airport.

Twelve to 14 active-duty aircraft will be on display, including a couple of A10 tank hunters, F-18 Hornet fighters, a three-engine H-53 Marine helicopter and an Army Black Hawk.

"We really have a big lineup," airport director Rick Jenkins said of the 19th annual event.

Twelve World War II aircraft will take flight during the 10:15 a.m. opening ceremonies, which will include a skydiving demonstration.

Stunt pilots Spencer Suderman and Bill Cornick will fly Pitts S2B biplanes, and 24-year-old Melissa Andrzejewski will maneuver a Zivko Edge 540. In 2006, Andrzejewski became the youngest woman to be a member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team at national championships.

Andrzejewski said she always has been passionate about aviation. And that runs in the family: Her grandmother at one time competed in Powder Puff races.

Andrzejewski was training to be a bush pilot when her instructor started teaching her stunts. She recognizes that it's unusual for a stunt pilot to be a young woman."Sometimes people will ask me where the pilot is," Andrzejewski said.

"Sometimes they'll ask where my instructor is."


And Andrzejewski enjoys sharing her love of aviation with those who attend the show.

"One of the things that got me into aviation was going to air shows and getting to talk to the pilots," she said. "So I always like talking to kids at the shows."

With a $10 parking fee, motorists will enter the air show for no additional charge. A free BlueGO shuttle will pick up passengers at the transit center at the "Y." Walk-ups and shuttle riders gain entry for $2.

The Kiwanis Club will offer a pancake breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m., when the highly anticipated return of the Tahoe Douglas Rotary chili cookoff begins.

More than 100 motorcycles of the Tahoe Blue Riders will be on hand, along with police dogs, specialized aircraft and 24 vendor booths.

All of the area's public safety agencies will attend.

"We want to let people know the airport is the center for public safety," Jenkins said.

For a schedule of events, pick up a copy of Lake Tahoe Action or see http://www.lakeintheskyairshow.com/.