Jump jet coming to AirFest

Visitors to Culpeper’s AirFest this year will get to witness the debut of the only privately owned civilian Harrier in the world.

Culpeper Regional Airport manager Tonya Woodward said an estimated 3,500 people are expected at the free air show on Saturday.

Harrier aircraft, also known as jump jets, are best known for their ability to perform vertical takeoffs and landings. Introduced in the late 1960s, variations of this military aircraft remain in service with U.S., British and Spanish military forces today.

The jump jet belongs to former Marine pilot Art Nalls, who spent most of his military career flying two American variants of Harrier aircraft.

According to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Web site, Nalls purchased the BAE Sea Harrier FA2 in 2005 and has spent the last several years restoring it to flying condition.

“We are really, really excited,” Woodward said Friday. “There’s a whole lot of stuff he had to do to get this plane ready. Art flew his L39 (jet training aircraft) last year and he’s been a friend of the airport for a long time.”

With October being the customary end of the air show season, Woodward said the timing of Culpeper’s air show’s is an advantage for getting unique aircraft and pilots.

A handful of other aircraft will join Nalls’ planes in the skies, along with aerobatic group the Bealeton Flying Circus. An Army Apache helicopter is also expected to join the static displays.

Culpeper County Parks and Recreation will be on hand with kids activities, including a balsawood glider contest.

This year’s air show was almost grounded by funding concerns and a tight budget, but Woodward said volunteers, along with corporate and private sponsors kept the event aloft. An estimated 100 volunteer workers are also expected.

“We were very hard pressed with the funding dollars, and the people that normally perform in our show enjoy coming to Culpeper. Most of these people came for little to nothing or just gas, so we were incredibly lucky,” said Woodward.

Nate Delesline III can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or .