Best US Airshows

KnownIce · Post by **KnownIce** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 12:56 pm

The discussion about airshows in another thread made me wonder: what do you think are the best US airshows to attend... ie. which ones would be worth making a trip out of (other than OSH).

I have been thinking of heading to Dayton this year to see the airshow and go the USAF museum. However the airshow isn't really shaping up (yet) into anything that great in my opinion.

Also heard that Thunder Over Michigan and the one in Geneseo NY are pretty good for warbirds.

TheCheez · Post by **TheCheez** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 1:52 pm

Reno Air Races
Fleet Week in SFO isn't really an airshow per se but a good time anyway
My parents went to the one at Edwards(?) near Vegas last August, pretty big deal there.

I guess it depends what your after specifically check a few performer schedules that you really enjoy and see where they end up together thats shaping up with other nice acts.

cougr41 · Post by **cougr41** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 3:39 pm

Salinas California International Airshow.

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:14 pm

Oceana

gr8gazu · Post by **gr8gazu** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 6:18 pm

2 votes for Oceana!

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 7:59 pm

Ft Lauderdale Air & Sea, but I will admit personal bias on that one.

yak driver · Post by **yak driver** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 8:03 pm

Reno Air Races

The 8 best days of the year, and the world's fastest motorsport.

Nark · Post by **Nark** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 9:08 pm

I third the Oceana vote.

Thats were our boys learn to fly the F-18, so you know those instructors/demo pilots can fly.

ykzrampie · Post by **ykzrampie** » Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:12 pm

Nark wrote: Thats were our boys learn to fly the F-18, so you know those instructors/demo pilots can fly.

Hmmmm, I thought instructors weren't good for anything but flying circuits in a buck fitty in blue sky weather.

Uh oh, let's not start this again....

Hedley · Post by **Hedley** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 10:28 am

let's not start this again

Yes please, let's not. I'm just a class 1 instructor/class 1 aerobatic instructor, so I'm probably not as good a pilot as others here that like to crap on instructors, but my current preferred method of departure is to 1/2 roll inverted at 80 mph, accelerate inverted in ground effect to 160 mph, push to the vertical, hammerhead, then on the vertical downline pull +6 G's to level at the surface again, and thence depart on the runway heading. With smoke, of course.

If some idiot wants to crap all over instructors, and how they can't fly, why not pick a fight with me first?

Patty Wagstaff and Mike Goulian are also active instructors, and I might opine that few (if any) pilots in Canada could honestly claim to be better sticks than either of them.

http://www.pittspecials.com/images/takeoff.jpg

Inverted2 · Post by **Inverted2** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 11:24 am

Dayton airshow kinda stunk last year but the USAF museum is worth the drive. Spent a day there and didn't even manage to see everything, and admission is absolutely free!

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 7:06 pm

Thunder Over Michigan looks like it will have a good selection of warbirds. Some Canadian ones too- including the Lancaster.

http://www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/aircraft.htm

-istp

20DMEYYZ · Post by **20DMEYYZ** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 8:28 pm

departing Toronto area , check out Selfridge , MI !

departing Thunder Bay area , check out Duluth , MN !

Northern Skies · Post by **Northern Skies** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 6:56 am

istp wrote:Thunder Over Michigan looks like it will have a good selection of warbirds. Some Canadian ones too- including the Lancaster.

-istp

Good call.... I'll be at willow run this year.

p.s. airshow this weekend in niagara falls!

Nark · Post by **Nark** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 8:01 pm

Mil instructor pilots vs. civillian instructor pilots.
defenetly the same boat.

I'm with Hedley, learn to fly before you teach others how to fly.

co-joe · Post by **co-joe** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:13 pm

Personally I'v always wanted to see the one at Edwards AFB. REno air races would be on the list as well.

You realise we're going to need photographic proof that you went eh?

Sparks · Post by **Sparks** » Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:28 am

Reno.

It's also a great trip in a light a/c from Western Canada but remember to book your parking in advance as it gets really busy on the ramp at the international!

Did it a couple of years back from ZBB and have very fond memories of the trip (scenic route via St Helens and Crater Lake, parking a 172 up by national guard F16s at Klamath Falls, etc.) as well as the event itself.