Wings and Warbirds return to Port Clinton

PORT CLINTON — A high-flying performance returns to Port Clinton this weekend. The fifth annual Wings and Warbirds Air Show incorporates radio-controlled airplanes and full-size aircraft performing over Liberty Aviation Museum and Erie-Ottawa International Airport on East State Street. "It's a fun event for us to join," pilot Ken Rieder said. "We travel across the country for performances."Rieder and his partner, Jon Thocker, fly for Redline Aviation — a duel plane show featuring custom planes dancing across the sky. The duo will bring their talents to Port Clinton's show this weekend. The show isn't just about making death-defying maneuvers in the sky. It also caters to war veterans with a vested interest in older aircraft. For instance, pilot Ken Gilliam flies one of the Huey helicopters for guests out of the airport during the show. "Piloting the helicopter is a great way for us to give back to the veterans," Gilliam said. "It gives families of war veterans a chance to experience what their loved ones did."Other pilots, such as Ike Isaacson, said their passion for older aircraft has a deeper meaning. "Let's me honest: The country didn't treat Vietnam veterans all that well when they came home," Isaacson said. "This is a great way to help veterans deal with what happened to them back then. I've seen tears, laughter and excitement. It's touching."Isaacson's father is a Vietnam War veteran. He pointed out that one day pilots from the 1960s and 1970s won't be able to perform during air shows due to age. "It's up to people like us to carry on their legacy and learn how to fly these older aircraft," Isaacson said. "It's an honor to do this for veterans, like my dad."The show will feature food, fun and games for people of all ages and abilities. Check out this weekend's schedule: Saturday• 7 a.m.: Turn & Burn 5K• 9 a.m.: Gates Open/Open RC Flying• 11:00 a.m.: Opening Ceremony/WWII Warbird Parade• 11:45 a.m.: RC 3D Demo• 12 p.m.: Open RC Flying• 2 p.m.: Billy Werth Pitts• 2:15 p.m.: Redline Dual RV-8• 2:30 p.m.:Open RC Flying• 4 p.m.: Ceremony to end• 6 p.m.: WWII Hangar Dance After PartySunday• 9:00 a.m.: Gates Open\Open RC Flying• 11:00 a.m.: Opening Ceremony\WWII Warbird Parade• 11:30 a.m.:Scott Francis MXS• 11:45 a.m.:RC 3D Demo• 12 p.m.: Open RC Flying• 1:15 p.m.:F-16 Fighting Falcons• 1:20 p.m.: RC flying resumes• 2 p.m.: Billy Werth Pitts• 2:15 p.m.: Redline Dual RV-8• 2:30 p.m.: Open RC Flying• 4 p.m.: Closing ceremonyReach reporter Patrick Pfanner at pfanner@sanduskyregister.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatPfanner and at Facebook.com/PatPfanner. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation's AH-1 Cobra takes off behind the UH-1 Huey on Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton. The foundation is offering rides to the public throughout the weekend at the Wings and Warbirds air show at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport. Army Aviation Heritage Foundation pilot Ken Gilliam looks out of the UH-1 Huey during flight over Marblehead on Friday, August 26, 2016. The foundation is offering helicopter rides to the public throughout the weekend at the Wings and Warbirds air show at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport. Sandusky is seen from an UH-1 Huey helicopter on Friday, August 26, 2016. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation is offering rides to the public throughout the weekend at the Wings and Warbirds air show at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport. Redline pilots Jon Thocker and Ken Rider pose for a photo beside one of their Van's RV-8 aircrafts on Friday, August 26, 2016 at the Liberty Aviation Museum. The duo will perform during the Wings and Warbirds air show at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport over the weekend. The restored Douglas AD-1 Skyraider "Bad News" sits at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport on Friday, August 26, 2016. The plane will take flight during the Wings and Warbirds Over Port Clinton air show at the airport over the weekend. One of the Redline Van's RV-8 planes is prepared for a practice run in the skies over the Erie-Ottawa International Airport on Friday, August 26, 2016. The Redline duo, pilots Ken Rieder and Jon Thocker will preform during the Wings and Warbirds Over Port Clinton air show at the airport over the weekend. Matt Kozub flies his remote controlled plane at the Erie-Ottawa International Airport on Friday, August 26, 2016. Kozub's plane will fly during the Wings and Warbirds Over Port Clinton air show over the weekend.