I am burned out on airshows. I have seen so many that it is not worth the drive, the ticket price, or sitting or standing in hot summer sun. There is a big airshow in Duluth this weekend. That is less than a two hour drive, and I can get tickets at my local hardware store. Not interested to be dissicated almost to state of mummification just to watch the same maneuvers I’ve watched a hundred times before. I guess my old age is showing (my picture there is already over twenty-five years old).
I wish I had some big ones in my area,I used to go to Mcguire every year,saw the Angels,Thunderbirds,even the Italian team.It used to be hot sitting on that tarmac,and traffic getting out was a nightmare.
The only on I saw recently was the old Confederate Air Force about an hour away,they bought the B-29 Fifi and a B-24
The CAF show at Oshkosh is indeed a really great show. I was going to Oshkosh every year for awhile when I lived in St. People from MDC had carpools and plane pools organized every year.
We go every year to WWII Weekend in Reading, PA - now in its 30th year. It’s a three day WWII Airshow, WWII military vehicle show, re-enactment, swing dance, home front display, veterans access, and massive flea market all in one. It’s been called a graduate course in the early 40s.
I’ve chatted with the aircrews and some of the vehicle owners who have said they love coming to the show because everybody is interested and respectful, as opposed to the usual shows where people just seem to feel entitled to sit on anything and say anything.
I like air races though.
Bill
I miss a good air show. I grew up going to the open house air shows at Edwards AFB, March AFB, and MCAS El Toro. All were free of cost, had excellent ground displays, and quite a variety of aerial displays over the years. Times changed, bases closed and most those shows became history for various reasons. Then the Great Pacific Airshow was created in Huntington Beach, and I went to a few of those until I left CA. Now here in AZ since I arrived, Covid has caused the cancellation of Luke AFB’s Luke Days, although this year that reasoning was truly dubious here. I’m looking forward to the day I can go to a proper AFB Open Hoise air show again. Or perhaps a trip down to MCAS Yuma or NAS El Centro to such happenings…
We had really fantastic air shows at Homestead AFB (Thunderbirds) and Opa Locka Airport Blue Angels) Had tons of aircraft on display in both air shows with parking just a short walk from the event but after they started doing the shows over the ocean where one bakes extra crispy on the beach I gave up on attending, parking is a mess and ticket prices are just insane.
As a side note, not known to the lady I would meet 3 years later and eventually become my wife, she had taken a picture of a display at the HAFB show and yours truly was in that very same picture, 3 years before we met!
Great story…
I must admit, there is one airshow I would still go to- the Paris show. If someone would fly me over in a nice busjet, park on the ramp so I could have an air-conditioned hangout to retreat to when I get too hot, I would love to go!
The Chicago Air and Water show is really nice. You get to sit on a beach on Lake Micigan and watch an air and water show. Plus, it’s FREE. The number of air events is kind of limited because you are not at an airport, buy it is still a fun event. You get to watch the Blue Angles, F-35, F-22, C-17, V-22, A-10, and a bunch of other airplanes performe. Sitting on a Lake Michigan beach in Chicago on a Summer Day is just fantastic.
I was at Wrigley Field for a Cub’s game a few years ago. The game was held the day before the Air and Water Show. During the seventh inning stretch The U. S. Army Parachute Golden Knights parachuted into Wrigley Field. WHAT!!! It was amazing that they were able to land with such precision.
I have to agree with you about being burnt out on airshows. I live in Oshkosh,WI and the city is ramping up for the annual EAA airshow. I can’t remember how times that I’ve gone but I’m not going anytime soon in the future. I still enjoy the sounds and sights of seeing the warbirds fly over my house(live about 3-5 miles from the airport). Just last week there was a F4F-Wildcat flying overhead. Price of admission,parking,meals & drinks on the grounds, and the Covid concern are all detriments.
tjs
I was in Duluth this weekend. Definitely toasty out there!
I’ve been to over 30, but still enjoy them.
I’ve been to several in my time, even took a C-5 to Cleveland in 1973 as head of the Security team.It was unbelieveable what happened there but that’s another story. I don’t go anymore, partly because admission is just too high.
Hi!
I used to go to the Air base air shows. Then the private C.A.F., Then the Collings sponsored shows. I had ridden in 909 (the B-17) two shows before she augered in with visitors on board. Also flew in the P-51-TF (“Toulouse Nuts”) that came here.
Have always been fascinated with the older aircraft to the point of having had ownership of three old Birds. But times and finances change. Last time I went to a known BIG event it was the Farnsborough in England I believe. That one was unforgettable, But it was right after the F-15 started flying around. I wish fate hadn’t decided that those recorded memories would be lost in a Natural Disaster.
Airshows have become a hassle in many ways. Cost, Location and Comfort. Since my cardiac incident I don’t tolerate heat well. Reflected heat from Tarmac or Concrete will wash me out in about two hours, And then there’s the traffic. So I stay home and build Models!
I’m right with you, Tanker-Builder. Sun n Fun and the VAC airshows were annual events for me and my wife for years. Anymore, it’s just too hot and uncomfortable to sit through an aviation event that used to be so much fun. The last VAC show we attended I had the opportunity to fly on FIFI in the navigator’s seat across from the flight engineer station. Even got to plug in my headset. But no more. I’m just too old and worn out.
I am watching the feed from Oshkosh on YouTube though. Gotta have airplane noise!