SOARING SCENES; AVIATION SHOW VISITORS REVEL AS YEAGER SNAPS THE SOUND BARRIER IN A GOLDEN FAREWELL.

Byline: Romy Jacobson Daily News Staff Writer

Thousands of people took a journey through history at the 44th annual Edwards Air Force Base Open House and Air Show on Saturday to celebrate 50 years of supersonic flight.

The two-day event was kicked off with a sound barrier-breaking flight by Chuck Yeager, who was the first man to break the sound barrier Oct. 14, 1947, in an F-15 Eagle.

The 74-year-old retired brigadier general will end his 55-year career as a military pilot after his performance at this year's air show.

``I came to get the kids out, see Yeager, see the planes,'' said Jeff LaFever, from Bakersfield, who brought his wife, Michelle, and their two children. ``It's been pretty nice.''

``I thought it was a chance of a lifetime with Chuck Yeager here,'' said Mary Helen Corrado, who drove two hours from Ventura to see the show. ``It's the 50th anniversary, it's kind of special. Now if they could only have arranged a shuttle landing, that would've been perfect,'' joked Corrado.

This year's show will also commemorate the 30th anniversary of state Sen. Pete Knight's historic flight when he became the first man to reach Mach 6 - six times the speed of sound.

People of all ages have the opportunity to get a closer look at more than 90 different types of aircraft including the B-2 bomber; the F-117 stealth fighter; the F-15A Eagle; and World War II era planes including a North American B-25J Mitchell bomber named ``Executive Sweet.''

``The air show is important for the community to see what the military does,'' said Rick Nash, an engineer for Boeing. ``It provides public support for the military.''

``I've been coming out here every chance I get all these years,'' said Melvin Wheeler, who served as an Air Force firefighter in the Korean War. ``The B-52 is my favorite. It's great for the community - for everyone.''

Highlights of this year's show include the F-117 stealth fighter formation, the B-1B bomber, a flag jump by Air Force Flight Test Center Parachutists, and the Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team.

``It's nice to see what we're paying for,'' said Corrado. ``I really think it's exciting with the noise and vibrations. It's a very exciting day.''

``I love the sound,'' said Doug Johnson, a resident of Huntington Beach. ``Noise is half the fun out here.''

Sacramento residents James and Barbara Sobansky were passing through the Antelope Valley on their way to Arizona and decided to stay for the air show.

``James is retired from the military,'' said Barbara. ``It's been a nostalgic trip to see a lot of the aircraft that he was associated with in the Air Force.''

The show will continue today.

Admission and parking are free. Gates open at 7:30 a.m.

The base can be reached by the Rosemond Boulevard exit off the Antelope Valley Freeway or via Highway 58 near North Edwards or by 120th Street East from Lancaster.

For more information, call [phone].

AIR SHOW LINEUP TODAY

Gates will open at 7:30 a.m.

7:45 a.m. - Remote-control airplane flying

10 a.m. - Chuck Yeager cracks sonic boom in F-15

10:01 a.m. - Flag jump by Air Force Flight Test Center parachutists

10:30 a.m. - Parachute demonstration by Air Force Academy Wings of Blue

11 a.m. - C-17 Globemaster will drop cargo

11:10 a.m. - Test Pilot School glider demonstration

11:20 a.m. - AT-6 Texan or Marchetti F260

11:35 a.m. - F-117 stealth fighter formation

11:45 a.m. - B-1B bomber

1 p.m. - T-38 trainer, F-15E fighter-bomber, and F-16 fighter formation

1:15 p.m. - C-130, C-141 and C-17 formation

1:20 p.m. - SR-71 Blackbird will pass at Mach 3

1:20 p.m. - Air Force Flight Test Center aircraft aerial review

1:35 p.m. - F-16 fighter solo

1:45 p.m. - F-15E fighter-bomber solo

1:55 p.m. - SR-71 Blackbird low altitude pass and landing

2:05 p.m. - A-10 attack bomber solo

2:35 p.m. - P-51 Mustangs formation and demonstration

3 p.m. - Air Force Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team

CAPTION(S):

5 Photos, Box

PHOTO (1--color) Thousands of people converge Saturday at the 44th annual Edwards Air Force Base Open House and Air Show to mark 50 years of supersonic flight. The show ends today.

(2--color) An AT-6 streaks by at the Edwards Air Force Base air show Saturday as part of the two-day event.

(3--color) At right, Nicolas Briseno, 8, left, and Kyle Hofsteatter, 8, both of Saugus, check out the view from the window of a Boeing CH-470 Chinook helicopter on display.

David R. Crane/Daily News

(4--color) Keith Cook and his son, Kevin, 4, of Santa Clarita, above, watch planes fly over the air show.

(5--color) Retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager waves to the crowd as he emerges from the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle after breaking the sound barrier.

Jeff Goldwater/Daily News

BOX: AIR SHOW LINEUP TODAY (see text)