This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
On June 23, 2018, Vance Brand Airport will host the 2018 LMO Airport Expo. Vance Brand Airport is located at 229 Airport Rd., Longmont. Gates open at 7 a.m. and close at 3 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the gates. All donations collected will go towards "offsetting the cost of the Expo and Airshow," states David Slayter, Vance Brand Airport manager.
The schedule for the event is as follows:
7:00 am Gates Open
7:00 am Pancake Breakfast (Hours: 7:00 am – 9:00 am)
8:45 am Astronaut Vance Brand Presentation
9:30 am American Legion Awards Ceremony
10:00 am Beer garden opens (Hours: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm)
10:15 am Aerial Demonstrations: Performances and fly-bys from the Rocky Mountain Renegades, Mile-Hi Skydiving, North American T-6, SubSonex Mini-jet, Maverick Jet, DHC-1 Chipmunk, and more!
12:45 pm Music stage featuring local cover band, “Girls On Top”
1:00 pm End of Aerial Demonstrations
3:00 pm Gates close
The event begins with a pancake breakfast, which is from 7:00–9:00 a.m. It is a benefit breakfast and "the proceeds will go to help a local pilot who was injured in an aircraft accident at the beginning of the year which resulted in him losing the use of his legs. We are asking people to come have a pancake breakfast to help a member of our community," says Slayter.
The astronaut in attendance will be Longmont Native, Veteran, and the Airport’s name-sake Mr. Vance Brand.
Brand served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a commissioned officer and naval aviator from 1953-1957. After his release from active duty he continued on in the Marine Corps Reserve and Air National Guard jet fighter squadrons until 1964.
Brands flight experience includes: 9,669 flying hours, 8,089 of which are in jets, 391 in helicopters and 746 in spacecraft. He also has "checkout in more than 30 types of military aircraft," as stated in Brand's NASA bio.
Brand is "one of the 19 pilot astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966, Brand initially was a crew member in the thermal vacuum chamber testing of the prototype Command Module and support crewman on Apollo 8 and 13. Later he was backup command module pilot for Apollo 15 and backup commander for Skylabs 3 and 4. As an astronaut he held management positions relating to spacecraft development, acquisition, flight safety and mission operations. Brand flew on four space missions; Apollo-Soyuz, STS-5, STS 41-B, and STS-35. He has logged 746 hours in space and has commanded three Shuttle missions," according to Brand's NASA bio.
For more information on Astronaut Vance Brand visit: https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/brand.html.
The Air Expo will continue on with an American Legion Awards Ceremony. According to Slayter, "The plan is to post the flags of each service at the base of the announcer stand, ask Viet Nam era veterans to line up behind their service flag. At that time I will present a lapel pin and presidential proclamation. This pin and proclamation, authorized by the United States Government and the Department of Defense, to thank and honor all living Viet Nam era veterans, who served on active duty from November 1, 1955 thru May 15, 1975, regardless of where they served. Post 32 American Legion Honor Guard, of which I am a member and Commemoration coordinator, has been authorized by the Commemoration program as a representative to assist in this effort. Another important part of this effort is honoring surviving spouses of veterans, who served on active duty during this period, with a lapel pin and Certificate of Honor. Astronaut Vance Brand will participate in this as well."
There has been a Fly-In type Expo hosted at Longmont's Vance Brand Airport since before 2000. The first year for an aerobatic airshow was 2011. Performing at this year's aerobatic airshow will include:
- Rocky Mountain Renegades (7 aircraft)
- Minijet Airshows (1 aerobatic jet)
- Fly-Bys (3 aircraft) T-6
- Maverick Jet
- DeHaviland Chipmunk
- Several Aircraft on Static Display from civilian aircraft to previous military trainers to Blackhawk Helicopters
- Sky Diving Demonstration
"This is an opportunity to learn about aviation and allow the public the opportunity to see and experience the many different types of aircraft that are used for so many different things. It is at airports like the Vance Brand Airport where future pilots are trained for the Airlines, Military, Cargo, Wildfire Fighting Missions, Corporate and to become flight instructors to continue training others," says Slayter.
"We hope to also illustrate that planes have a purpose and several missions such as organ and emergency surgical team transportation, search and rescue, and many other important and critical missions."
The event is a family friendly event. There will be a "Kid’s Space with games for children, flight simulators, and a learning experience, including a Huey helicopter museum provided by the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association," states Slayter.
According to the City of Longmont website, the following are the LMO Airport Expo Restrictions, Tips and FAQs:
: How much does it cost to attend?
A: Parking and admission to the event are free. (Donations will be accepted at the gate).
Q: What time do the gates open/close?
A: Static displays and the kids’ space will open starting at 7:00 a.m. and run until the close of the expo at 3:00 p.m.
Q: Will beer/alcohol be available?
A: The on-premises beer garden will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Q: Is smoking allowed?
A: No, smoking inside the airport grounds is not permitted.
Q: Is there a lost and found/lost child center?
A: Yes, the first aid desk will be the primary point of contact.
Q: Can I bring my pet?
A: Only service animals will be allowed on airport grounds during the Expo. No pets, please.
Q: What should I bring?
A: Sunscreen, water (note that several food vendors will have water available for purchase), chairs, etc. Due to the nature of aerial demonstrations, hearing protection (ear plugs) for younger children may be desired.
Q: What can I not bring?
A: Firearms are prohibited. Alcohol brought in or purchased outside of the designated beer garden area is also prohibited.
Q: Are coolers allowed?
A: Yes, however alcohol brought in or purchased outside of the designated beer garden area is prohibited.
Q: Can I bring folding lawn/camp chairs?
A: Yes, however, please be aware of all aircraft movement areas. Lawn chairs that are unattended can be blown around and damage aircraft or injure people.
Q: Who to contact if I have more questions?
A: Call or email David Slayter the Airport Manager at (303) 651-8431.
For additional information concerning the Air Expo visit: https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-a-d/airport/airport-expo
