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Dozens of planes perform in Quad City Airshow in front of hundreds

DAVENPORT, Iowa — The 2016 Quad City Airshow went off without a hitch on Saturday. Despite the hot weather, with temps in the ninety’s, over two dozen pla...

DAVENPORT, Iowa — The 2016 Quad City Airshow went off without a hitch on Saturday. Despite the hot weather, with temps in the ninety's, over two dozen planes flew through the sky for several different performances.

"Our family is around airplanes a lot so we just figured coming out and enjoying the day watching different types of aircraft would be a fun experienc," said Larissa Garwin, who lives in South Carolina and was visiting family in the Quad Cities over the airshow dates. Her husband is a C-17 pilot, he told Garwin to bring the kids to the show.

"This is the one he came to growing up as a kid," said Garwin. The future of the airshow is up in the air. It is not coming to the Quad Cities in 2017. Pilots and spectators hope 2017 is a short term break.

"We're thrilled to be at the Quad City Airshow," said Joe Shetterly of the Shetterly Squadron, which includes his dad and brother. Shetterly flew an RV-8 airplane on Saturday right next to his dad who was flying in a DR-107 design right next to him.

"I've been flying planes since really before I can remember, my brother and I were so lucky to be born into a flying family and our dad since before we were toddlers," said Shetterly. The Shetterly Squadron, thanked the University of Central Missouri for sponsoring them.

Hundreds of spectators sat on lawn chairs to watch the airplane presentations. One of the biggest productions came at the end, called Tora Tora Tora, which paid homage to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Several planes, restored to look like those which attacked Pearl Harbor, circled the sky. Meanwhile, plumes of black smoke and fire exploded on the runway.

"It's been really cool seeing all the different airplanes, and the different technology over the years, and seeing how we can make [the planes] even better and continue to fly them," said Cody Peckham, who attends the University of Illinois and is working in the Quad Cities this summer. He and his friends sat on a blanket as they watched the airshow.

"At least three of us are aerospace engineers. We're really fascinated by airplanes," said Peckham.

As event officials were wrapping up day two of the two-day airshow, they said Saturday went great and had no close calls.

"This airshow has a long tradition of being a fantastic airshow," said Shetterly. "The region has gotten so much, and the local community gets a ton out of this airshow. I think all the people involved truly want to have this show again.

The show continues on Sunday, June 26, 2016. Gates open at 8 a.m. the main airshow takes place at Davenport Municipal Airport from around noon until around 4 p.m.

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