Free Florida Tech Aviation Day Oct. 20 Offers Defenders Car Show, Airplane Rides, Displays, Raffle and More

MELBOURNE, FLA. –-Florida Institute of Technology’s annual Aviation Day, Oct. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., will be “bigger and better than ever,” said Greg Reverdiau of FIT Aviation. Aviation Day will take place at the Emil Buehler Center for Aviation Training and Research at Melbourne International Airport. Information about the event and what’s going on all day is available at www.fitaviationday.com.

The event will feature the Defender Car Show, organized in coordination with the Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida. About 100 cars are expected, ranging from hotrods to antiques.

Special fly-in guest Joe Hurston, whose Canaveral Groves home was the subject of an Extreme Makeover TV program, will present his water purification system, which aids third-world countries. The team that transformed Joe Hurston’s home for Extreme Makeover also refurbished his personal airplane, a Cessna Turbo 337 (N19EZ). Available all day, Hurston will demonstrate a short field take-off with his plane.

Guests will see military, civilian and homebuilt aircraft and displays. Aircraft include a World War II WACO biplane with “stick and rudder,” which can be flown around the area for $75/person. There will also be educational booths, refreshments and a children’s fun area. The Tuskegee Airmen will be available to discuss aviation history.

The Emil Buehler Center is located at 801 Harry Goode Way, adjacent to Melbourne International Airport, off NASA Boulevard, near the control tower. For more information, visit the website above or call (321) 674-8238.

Registration for car show participants is available at www.DefendersCarShow.com. Admission and parking are free at the Emil Buehler Center.