EDWARDS' OPEN HOUSE, AIR SHOW OCT. 28-29.

Byline: JIM SKEEN Staff Writer

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE -- Aircraft aficionados can break out their calendars and circle the dates of Oct. 28-29 for Edwards Air Force Base's annual open house and air show.

The Air Force Thunderbirds precision flying team, the F-22A Raptor fighter, a B-2 bomber, and a MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft will be featured, along with the Army's Golden Knights parachute team and the Royal Dutch Air Force flight team.

``It's going to be a good-sized air show,'' said base spokesman John Haire.

This year's event is called ``The Edwards edge -- making history reaching new heights.'' The theme reflects Edwards' contribution to flight-testing, which has included the testing of virtually every aircraft used by the Air Force over the past six decades.

Other scheduled performances include a hang glider demonstration by paraplegic Dan Buchanan and flights by a B-1B bomber, a B-52 Stratofortress, an F-18 Hornet, NASA's ER-2 research aircraft, and the C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.

The event will also feature display aircraft parked over about one mile of Edwards' flight line.

The NASA Dryden Flight Research Center will be featuring several of its aircraft, including the Boeing 747 shuttle carrier, an F-18, and an F-16XL.

Visitors should be aware that base officials will have a zero-tolerance policy for prohibited items, which include ice chests, weapons and backpacks.

Any items confiscated will be destroyed, regardless of value, Haire said.

A list of prohibited items is posted on the base's Web site, edwards.af.mil.

Visitors should also be aware the base prohibits talking on cell phones while driving.

For more information about the event, call 661 277-3510 or 661 277-NEWS or visit the Web site -- edwards.af.mil.

james.skeen(at)dailynews

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