NORTH NORWICH – Aircraft rides and family fun are in store for Saturday as the 17th Annual Chenango County Airport Day gets underway from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport in North Norwich.

A large assortment of planes ranging from the popular Beech 1900C turbo prop to the light jet Cessna Citation II will be on display. The Oneonta RC Flyers, a radio controlled aircraft show, will also be featured.

The activities begin with a pancake breakfast sponsored by area Boy Scouts from 7 to 8 a.m., and include demonstration flights by a DeHavilland DH-112 Venom, an experimental aircraft show, an antique aircraft show, a hot-air balloon launch and robot demonstrations given by area schools’ First Robotics technical programs.

The day is sponsored in part by PrivatAir, the airport’s contracted operator, Chenango County taxpayers, and a host of area businesses.

Youths ages 8 to 17 who are interested in flying may sign up for free rides sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagle program. Registration is at 8 a.m. and the rides begin at 10:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day.

“The idea is to give young kids the opportunity to fly and experience aviation,” PrivatAir Manager Jamie Baciuska said.