The Wings Over Pittsburgh air show will give an encore performance here next year to mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
"It was the most successful year we've had in the air show's history," said Lt. Shawn Walleck, chief of public affairs for the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon, recalling September's two-day show. "Because of the positive response we got and the weather really making the event successful, we'd really like to re-create that again next year."
The event, sponsored by the 911th, drew record crowds of 175,000 on its first day, Sept. 11, and 250,000 for the weekend. The show featured 10 aerial performances, including the Golden Knights Army Parachute Team and the Air Force Thunderbirds, and 43 ground exhibits.
Next year's headliners will be announced after the International Council of Air Shows convention Dec. 5-8 in Las Vegas, but Walleck predicts another patriotic theme.
He said planners will work to prevent glitches that occurred this year when local business changed their minds on the first day of the show and declined to allow the use of 2,000 to 3,000 parking spaces. Police subsequently shut down roads to Business Route 60 an hour and a half early, and some motorists parked illegally on ramps leading to nearby Pittsburgh International Airport.
Jim Callaghan, 47, of Chippewa in Beaver County welcomed the return of the air show. He and his wife, Karen, attended this year's event with their children, Amelia, 6, Seraphina, 5, Maria, 4, and Gabriel, 2.
"Yeah," he said, "I definitely will attend again — just to support our troops and the folks who give everything. It's a wonderful event, and the kids enjoy it."
