Louisa County Air Show is Sept. 5

For Charlie Schwenker, flying in a straight line, airliner-style, isn't for him. He prefers the twisting, turning, gravity-defying moves of aerobatics.

As he tumbles through the air, even flying upside down, Schwenker aims to entertain onlookers on the ground. That will be his mission Saturday when he performs aerobatics during the 18th annual Louisa County Air Show.

"I really enjoy having the crowd enjoy it. I really enjoy performing so that they see something they don't always see and have a little fun," Schwenker said. "We go up, and we show them some things we can do."

What began 18 years ago as an open house for the Louisa County Airport has turned into a community gathering with expected crowds of 6,000 to 8,000 people.

"We realized that this is something we want to promote our airport, and we made it an annual event," said Dawn Howard, airport manager.

Aircraft of all shapes and sizes will be celebrated at the airport's Freeman Field. There will be those available for rides -- helicopters and biplanes -- and those on display -- the World War II-era North American T-6.

Attention will turn to the skies at 1 p.m. as the aerobatics performances begin with a skydiving display followed by the Spotsylvania County-based WindWalkers Radio Control Club and its radio-controlled model airplanes.

Roger Marshall will then take to the skies to perform in his Yakovlev Yak-55, followed by Schwenker in his Extra 300 airplane. Kurt Wicker, a member of the Flying Circus based in Bealeton, will close the show.

Schwenker, who began flying aerobatics in 1990, aims to impress novices and experienced fliers alike with his in-air moves. Among the maneuvers he'll fly are straight up, straight down and snap rolls -- anything to keep the performance active and the crowds enthralled, he said.

He took lessons in Maryland, practicing the moves in higher altitudes before moving closer to the ground, he said. But once it comes time to take off, he said, there is no time for fear.

"You're pretty well-focused on what you're doing; you've done it so many times," said Schwenker, who works as a civil engineer in Arlington County.

The attractions at the air show reach beyond aircraft. There will be face painting for children and the mobile Science Museum of Virginia Space Travels exhibit, a 53-foot vehicle with a self-contained space environment and interactive exhibits.

"People just come out and they have a hell of a good time," said retired Adm. Dewitt Freeman, who is the namesake of the airport.

For Howard, who has been orchestrating this 18-year event, her happiness comes from the children.

"The true joy I get is seeing the reaction on children's faces," she said. "They are totally mesmerized by everything they see. It's overwhelming."

Contact Jeremy Slayton at (804) 649-6861 or .