Five-year-old Geovanni Stedford and his three-year-old brother Gavreni, enjoying themselves at the controls of a plane at the Boscobel Air Show at the Ian Fleming Airport on Saturday. - Carl Gilchrist

Scores of families turned out over the weekend to see the second annual Boom Energy Boscobel Jamaica Air Show, staged over two days at the Ian Fleming International Airport in St Mary.

The event started on Saturday with the opportunity for patrons to view the aeroplanes close up, but Sunday's show was cut short because of inclement weather, much to the disappointment of patrons.

Event coordinator and public relations specialist for the event, Tracey Hamilton, said Saturday's static display was multi-functional.

"Planes are grounded and it gives our patrons the opportunity to get inside the plane, look at the controls, talk to the pilot. A lot of them are even sitting in the pilot seat and having a simulation. And it's also a learning curve. We're trying to get the kids interested in aviation as a career, so it's about familiarisation today," Hamilton explained.

stood out

The event, staged by the Caribbean Aviation Training Centre (CATC), was having its second staging and according to chief engineer at CATC, Dayle Williams, the event was to "bring back Jamaica" to what it was before.

One of the aeroplanes that stood out was one painted in the national colours black, gold and green, a job undertaken by Williams.

"This plane was painted last month in celebration of Jamaica 50.The CATC are the ones promoting this, bringing back the country to what it was before, so we need the support of the country."

Air boss for the event for the second year was Bob Hall of Air Shows Consulting Enterprises Inc in Florida, who brought several aircraft and stunt personnel for the event. Among the planes was an Extra 300, which is a very high-performance single-wing airplane; a Pitts S1; a bi-wing airplane and an acrobatic Twin Beech, the only one flying in the United States. The team comprised five parachutists. Also performing were the Chicago Honey Bear dancers.