Thrills Await at Indianapolis Air Show, Thanks to Fleet of Volunteers

from atGeist.com by TomBritt
August 22, 2008 to August 24, 2008

The Indianapolis Air Show is billed as the place for “extreme family fun.” And indeed, this renowned event at Mt. Comfort Airport lives up to its reputation, offering an array of thrills and wonders with its mesmerizing sights and sounds.

An event of this scale does not happen without the tireless efforts of many volunteers. While up to 2,000 are needed for Air Show weekend (Aug. 22-24 this year), several board members volunteer their time year-round to make this annual aviation event a success.

Chief among them is Bob Duncan, chairman of the Indianapolis Air Show. Duncan assumed the role “by osmosis” as he says, since he serves as Airport Director of Indianapolis International Airport, which owns Mt. Comfort Airport.

Duncan has been flying since he was 16 and knows a thing or two about managing large-scale operations. He learned to fly at Metropolitan Airport off of East 96th Street. He would fly all day and then head off to law school at night. After achieving his law degree, Duncan became General Counsel for Indianapolis International and eventually Airport Director. (click picture to see video)

As a charitable event, net proceeds from the Indianapolis Air Show go to the Central Indiana Community Foundation. The Air Show has donated more than $1.3 million through CICF to children’s charities since the show’s inception in 1997.

Although Duncan doesn’t get paid for the numerous hours he puts into the air show, he enjoys seeing it all come together.

“People of varying interests enjoy this show,” Duncan said, adding that although the flying part is “what it’s all about,” the show offers much more.

The event kicks off with a hot air balloon glow Friday night. Saturday brings a classic car show, and members of the famed U.S.S. Indianapolis will be on hand for autographs on Sunday.

A key attraction of this year’s event is an up-close encounter with an Air Force F22 Raptor, the latest-model fighter bomber used by the U.S. Air Force. State-of-the-art fighters will fly in formation with World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War era fighter planes.

There’s a lot to see in the air as well as on the ground, and volunteers are still needed for the big weekend. If you are interested in volunteering for this charitable spectacle in aviation, visit www.indyairshow.com or call the Air Show office at 335-7252.