Wings Over Pittsburgh Takes to the Sky This Weekend

More than 250,000 spectators are expected to attend this weekend's annual Wings Over Pittsburgh airshow. 

The event, which takes place at the Air Force Reserve's 911th Airlift Wing on Defense Avenue, will mark its 10th year and the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon plus the Flight 93 crash. 

The show will feature aeronautics displays from the Northeast Raiders Demonstration Team, the Viper West F-16 air show and the Heavy Metal Jet Team, a Lancaster-based group of former Blue Angels and Navy pilots. Moon's 171st Air National Guard Refueling Wing and the 911th sponsor the show. 

The show will pause for an observance of 9/11 on Sunday. The show will not take place next year -- air show ambassador Lt. Col. (ret.) Brian Schill said Air Force training requirements will prevent the base from organizing the event in 2012. 

The airshow is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Parking and admission are free. 

Shuttle buses will drive guests from designated parking areas to the base. 

On-base parking will be unavailable for guests. Residents may park in these locations: 

• Allegheny County Lots 9 and 10 along the International Drive exit of Interstate 376. 

• Allegheny County Lots 7 and 8 along Cherrington Parkway off Ewing Road and I-376. 

• The Allegheny County Port Authority's Park-n-Ride lot on Port Authority Drive behind on University Boulevard. 

• The Airport Office Park on Rouser Road off Thorn Run Road. Cargo Lot A of the parking lot will not have access to the shuttle-bus service. The lot will give priority to handicapped residents and is within walking distance of the base. 

Be sure to stop by Patch's booth at the event to discuss local news or pick up some Patch merchandise.