East Texans get closer look at planes during Day 2 of Rose City Air Fest

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Day 2 of Rose City Airfest allowed citizens to view planes up close.

On Saturday, many people got the opportunity to view some of the planes that participated in Friday’s air show up close and personal at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport. It was an event that went hand and hand with the Historic Aircraft Memorial Museum which they say brings public awareness to military aircraft and aviation history.

“It allows the public to come out here and see our museum and read some of our history and understand where we came from in aviation and where we may be going in the future,” said Louis Thomas, who is a HAMM board member.

All types of planes were on display from WWII-era bombers to modern-day fighter jets. People got the chance to take photos as well as climb inside and look at some of these planes. Some like Matthew Mark Scallon even had the chance to buy a ticket to ride in an old biplane around the city.

“The wind blowing on the sides and everything, and you can’t see in front of you all you can do is just kind of turn the airplane back and forth,” Scallon said. “It is kind of scary, and he would do tight turns, and he would turn quite a bit going to the side or whatever. I enjoyed it.”

It was an enjoyment that HAMM is glad the airshow has been able to provide to the community this holiday weekend.

“We are just a part of the history, and we would like people to understand our history and where we came from and where we may be going,” Thomas said. “The air show brings our community together also because it is a common interest; people like to see these airplanes fly.”

Several planes will be on display again tomorrow at the Tyler Pounds Regional Airport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for ages 12 and up, $7 for ages 5 to 11.

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