Manassas Airshow: Wings, Wheels & Warriors

The Wounded Warriors Aviation organization and Manassas Regional Airport are teaming up for the first time to bring you the ultimate thrill-seeking experience with "Wings, Wheels, & Warriors Day."

The big event is set to take place Saturday, May 7th from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Manassas Regional Airport.

With an abundant amount of aircraft on display,  scheduled events and performances, the free event, which is open to the public will feature full throttle action that will excite the whole family.

Decked out on the tarmac on static display will be over 50 historic military planes, helicopters and experimental aircraft, as well as 10 military vehicles.

Formation fly-bys and demos will be performed by B-25 Mitchell Bombers, the L-39 Albatros and the super-charged WWII fighter P-51 Mustang.

But the fast-paced action doesn't end there. Aside from the airshow,  there will be exotic cars and motorcycles on display and a performance by Extreme Motorcycle Stuntman, Geoff Aaron.

And still there's more. Model rocket and radio controlled airplane and helicopter demonstrations will take place, along with a performances by Disney child star and America's Got Talent finalist, Kaitlyn Maher and D.C.'s own 18-musician band, Swing Machine.

The event is free, but donations to the Wounded Warriors Aviation organization, a civilian charity that provides training, mentoring and job placements for wounded veterans are accepted.

"Donations from the Wings, Wheels, & Warriors event will benefit the Wounded Warriors Aviation organization. While the event is free, we encourage donations to this worthy charity," said Manassas resident and former Marine Chris Lawson, who is also a volunteer for the event.

Suggested donation is $20 per family, which averages out to a slim $4 per hour for the high-energy, action-packed,  once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Want to enhance your experience a tad more? For a nominal fee you can take a breath-taking ride in a helicopter or airplane for the ultimate spectating opportunity.

Jump-starting the event will be the "Runway Race", a 10K & 5K race that takes place on the airport's runway. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. and if you are interested in participating you can register online at http://www.bristowtriandswim.com/Manassas_Runway_10k_5k.html. There is a 600 person limit for the race.

After the race,  local high schools will compete in a Junior ROTC competition.

Awards will be given for both the race and Junior ROTC competition.

Food vendors will also be on site.

Sponsors for the event include: American Helicopters, Aviation Adventures, Bristow Tri & Swim, APP Jetcenter, Wells Fargo Advisors, Swing Machine, Geoff Aaron Motorcycle Shows, Aerial Photographers LLC and the Freedom Musuem.

To learn more about the Wounded Warriors visit them at www.woundedwarrioraviation.org

Fun Facts About Aircaft Performing in Airshow:

• The P-51 Mustang was a highly effective WWII fighter plane that was designed and built in under 4 months.
• John Najjar a Designer for Ford Motor Company in the mid 1960's recommended a car be named after the aircraft and cater to the youth, thus the birth of the Ford Mustang.
• The B-25 was named after General Billy Mitchell, a U.S. pioneer of military aviation. This is the only American aircraft to be named after an individual person.
• The L-39 Albatros first flew in November of 1969 and to date is the world's most widely used high-performance jet trainer in the world.
• See them all in action on May 7th!