From the pink Energizer Bunny balloon to a ground-rattling F-15, pilots of the hot-air variety will briefly share the sky this weekend with counterparts in sleek, powerful jets.
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is expected to draw 90,000 spectators on Saturday, while the Scott Air Force Base Air Show will draw crowds Saturday and Sunday.
Which raises the question: With so many balloons and aircraft aloft, how do you keep them out of harm's way?
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a "Notice to Airmen" on Thursday alerting pilots to the presence of "high performance aerial demonstrations" during this weekend's air show at Scott.
The airspace covered by the notice has a radius of 7 miles around Scott and reaches up to altitudes of 15,500 feet.
It's the job of the air show organizers to keep the performing aircraft within that defined air space, said FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro. Likewise, pilots who aren't participating in the air show cannot operate in areas covered by the notice.
There is no special notice for the balloon race.
Pilots of private aircraft and those operating the hot-air balloons must follow visual flight rules, meaning they have to watch out for one another, Molinaro said.
The balloons are scheduled to launch from the Central Fields at Forest Park at 4:45 p.m. Saturday. For more information, go to greatforestparkballoonrace.com.
The air show at Scott will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. For more information, go to scottairshow.com.
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