to and from area parking lots , with the hopes that will alleviate the long waits .
Another change – and one that organizers were conflicted about – is that there will be a ticket cost to the audience this year .
Morris said it will likely be $ 10 for tickets bought in advance , and around $ 15 at the gate .
“ We tried our best , and we had a lot of conversations about this ,” he said . “ I think the national average for attendance at an airshow is $ 20 to $ 25 per person . No one involved in this planning wanted to charge that much .”
He added that the show ’ s sponsors such as the Don Franklin Family of Dealerships and the Somerset-Pulaski Economic Development Authority ( SPEDA ) have been wonderful in helping keep their costs low . Without them , he said , the show wouldn ’ t be happening in the first place .
Unfortunately , as with the gas we put in our cars every day , the cost of airplane fuel has gone up significantly , causing an increase in associated costs .
Other changes include the lineup of performers , although at least one will be returning .
That ’ s David Modder and his Dragon ’ s Fyre Jet Truck , the one that went around 220 miles per hour down the runway last year . “ That was incredible . It ’ s a crowd pleaser ,” Morris said . But for the most part , “ It will be a new show ,” he said .
While planning is still in the early phases , Morris said organizers have a few entertainers lined up , including a Russian MiG-17 .
“ That ’ s a special plane ,” Morris said . “[ The owner ] is not going to be performing aerobatics because of the type of plane he has , but he ’ s going to do a fly-by just over the runway in excess of 600 mph .” Also on board is Greg Koontz and the Alabama Boys . “ It ’ s basically a comedy act with aircraft . And it ’ s very entertaining ,” Morris said . “ You ’ ll see Greg Koontz at the end of his show land his airplane on a moving pickup truck . Which effectively makes this the world ’ s smallest airport for that moment . ... I guess the way to sum it up is you have to be really good to fly that bad ,” Morris laughed .
Putting together something as complicated as an air show is no small feat . Morris said he couldn ’ t do it without the help and support he found from many places .
“ When I brought this idea up a year or so ago , I thought , ‘ Where do you start ? How do you start ? “ So I called a friend of mine that was an airshow performer ,” Morris said .
That person gave him the name of Luke Carrico , a professional air show announcer .
“ Luke ’ s not only the announcer and the organizer for our event , he helps us with even the most minor details ,” Morris said .
The Dragon Fyre Jet Truck owned by David Modder was a huge hit at last year ’ s air show . It is scheduled to return for the 2022 show .
Photo by Caleb Lowndes 32 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky august 2022