A full lineup of professional air show performers will be coming to Cape Girardeau to demonstrate their flying talents during a three-day regional air festival in July.

Civilian and military aerial aerobatics and displays will be held at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

The festival begins on Friday, July 10, with a night air show and USO hangar dance. On Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, performances are scheduled throughout the days.

"We expect this year's air festival to be the first of many annual air festivals to follow," said Bruce Loy, airport manager. "Although we will have approximately 15 hot-air balloons for the weekend, this is not just a balloon festival."

Highlighting the professional air show performers is Wayne Handley and "The Raven," a 750-horsepower, state-of-the-art monoplane that was nominated the 1997 Performer of the Year by the International Council of Air Shows.

Cape Toyota is supporting the appearance of Toyota Airsports Team, a German-built Extra 300 airplane flown by veteran pilot Don Johnson.

Also appearing will be the Air Show Alliance International, with headliner Jack Ekl, former pilot for the Navy Blue Angels; his daughter, Kathy Ekl; and Bob Davis, former member of the U.S. World Competition Aerobatic Team. Jack Ekl flies the French-built Fouga C170 jet. His daughter pilots an American Champion Decathlon. Davis flies a Russian-designed Sukhoi Su29.

Suzanne Asbury-Oliver will demonstrate the art of sky writing in the Pepsi Skywriter, a 1929 Travel Air D4D biplane.

Fans also will have a chance to see the Dodge Ram Jet, a jew-powered Dodge pickup truck that travels in excess of 300 mph.

Military demonstrations of a Navy F-18, an Air Force A-10 Wart Hog, and a B-2 fly-by are scheduled.

In addition, visitors will have a chance to experience firsthand what it is like to fly in an F-117 Stealth Bomber with a hydraulic driven flight simulator.

Now that featured performers have been booked, the work of organizing the festival begins," Loy said. "Our staff can't pull off a festival of this size," Loy said. "We need lots of volunteers."

Aviation skills aren't necessary. Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs including scheduling, communications, concessions, coordinating performers, security, setup and cleanup.

Volunteers needed

The first of several volunteer meetings for the air festival will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport restaurant. Anyone interested in helping may attend. Aviation skills aren't necessary. Those unable to attend the meeting may contact the airport at 334-6230 to volunteer.