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September 24, 2009
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Kiwanis Club Kids Day at LaGuardia Airport Scheduled for September 26 [UPDATED]

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By: Phil Derner Jr.
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A US Airways A319 and PAPD Sikorsky-76 are seen during Kids Day preparation in 2007.
A US Airways A319 and PAPD Sikorsky-76 are seen during Kids Day preparation in 2007.
A US Airways A319 and PAPD Sikorsky-76 are seen during Kids Day preparation in 2007.

A US Airways A319 and PAPD Sikorsky-76 are seen during Kids Day preparation in 2007.

The annual Kiwanis Club LaGuardia Airport Kids Day event will be held on Saturday, September 26th from 12:00pm to 4:00pm,

Each year, the Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia teams up with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to allow children and the public to experience an up close view of the sights and sounds of the airport. Airlines such as American, US Airways and Delta usually each tbring out an aircraft for visitors to tour as friendly flight attendants hand out snacks and beverages. The Geico Skytypers often make an appearance along with a fly-by at the end of the event as well.

Past visitors have included aircraft from the Warbirds Over Long Island, NYPD, Port Authority Emergency Services, and various branches of the United States Armed Forces. The Department of Corrections, the NYPD Mounted Unit and other organizations set up displays allowing you to shake hands and get hands-on with the people and tasks associated with those that serve our city and nation every day.

Sadly, the 2008 event, which was set to include a visit from a KC-135 tanker, was canceled due to rain. The tight schedules of not only the aircraft, but the Port Authority staff used for the event, make setting a rain date impossible.

The event is free and open to all. Entry is usually at the gate near the Marine Air Terminal. Free refreshments are also provided.

Tentative Lineup Revealed (Updated September 24th)

Airliners

  • American Airlines MD-80
  • Delta Air Lines MD-80
  • US Airways A319

Military

  • Two US Navy Reserve F/A-18C fighters from VFC-12 out of NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia
  • New York Air Guard Lockheed LC-130 Hercules (one of only seven C-130s in the world with skis) out of the 109th Airlift Wing, Schenectady, NY (used for South Pole missions)
  • US Navy King Air

Vintage Military

  • AT-6C Texans fighters from Farmingdale
  • B-25 Mitchel bomber from Farmingdale

Misc.

  • Civil Air Patrol Cessna

Due to the fragility of airline schedules and the possibility of planes breaking down or getting stuck elsewhere due to bad weather, some planes might not show up. It is also possible that planes not listed will make an appearance. No one really knows until the day of the event.

To read about and see photos from the last Kids Day event, click here, or read the current message board discussion for this year’s.