Aviation Discovery Fest happening this weekend without airshow

DALLAS - Aviation enthusiasts can enjoy a festival this Veterans Day weekend in Dallas, but an air show at the Dallas Executive Airport will not be part of this year's event.

Last year, there was a midair collision between a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 at the Wings Over Dallas event.

Terry Barker, Craig Hutain, Kevin Michels, Dan Ragan, Leonard Root, and Curt Rowe were killed in the crash.

The National Transportation Safety board is still investigating the cause of the crash. A final report could take up to two years. 

A preliminary investigation by the NTSB did not give a direct reason for the crash, but said, during the flight, there was no discussion of "altitude deconfliction" or flight information that would have reduced the risk of a midair collision.

Instead, this year's Aviation Discovery Festival will feature historic aircrafts on the ground, a living encampment with re-enactors from World War II, and an activity center.

"We've had a lot of events, memorial events, both here in Dallas, and also in Conroe and Houston, where a lot of the crew were based. [Friday night] we will do an event with the members that are here. This is a big member gathering for our organization as well, so we will do something [Friday night] with the members," said Leah Block with the Commemorative Air Force.

The CAF says there will still be some flying this weekend and that select aircrafts will give rides, but there will not be a coordinated show with aerial performers.

"We really wanted to do something for the community and keep that going, but we wanted to acknowledge and be respectful of everybody that was impacted at the crash last year," Block said. "So we thought this was a way that we could still hold an event that was meaningful for Veterans Day."

There will be vehicles on the ground, re-enactments, and more, in an effort to teach, while showing gratitude toward veterans.

"Because the aircraft aren’t doing the choreographed performances, there’s more that are on the ground, so it actually gives people an opportunity to go inside and tour the airplanes," Block said. "We had so many young students here [Friday], but we also had WWII veterans, and that’s not a situation that happens very often."

Groups of students had a sneak peek Friday, but for everyone else, the event is both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Commemorative Air Force has been doing choreography at different air shows across the country. It plans to resume its air show in Dallas next year.