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2010 Air Shows |
The 14th Indianapolis Air Show
despite poor weather is still is one of the best
in North America!
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Location: Indianapolis, Mt. Comfort Airport, Greenfield, Indiana |
Admission: Only
$5.00 on Friday (Media day) Saturday and Sunday from $17 in advance
to $20 at the gate. Other seating upgrades were available. |
Parking: Free on the airport grounds. |
| Value: Excellent |
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The air-box corridor for the air show provided excellent viewing and photographic opportunities. |
The Indianapolis Air Show is one of the best
air shows in North America in my opinion, having visited several
dozen over the years. This year, it was the 14th consecutive air
show to thrill the visitors at Mt. Comfort Airport just East of
Indianapolis.
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While the air show was well planned,
one thing no one can predict and control is the weather, and this
year it did not cooperate with the air show organizer’s plans. |
Friday: the media day, which is
a true bargain for visitors as the admission is only $5.00 with free
parking, was quite hot and humid. While that did not prevent the
arrival of the participating aircraft and performers, it was a bit
uncomfortable, but for true aviation nuts and photographers, the
media day is one of the best times to take photos of aircraft arriving
and aircraft already on static display. By 6:00 pm there were still
several aircraft were missing from the potential line up. As for
media flights, the organizers have cut back drastically this year,
and very wisely, I must add. The very limited media rides available
were booked prior to the show by the media person who certainly lacked
proper judgment in her selections, once again in 2010. This person
should be replaced as she seems to show favoritism for some at the
expense of certain others, who actually contribute to the success
of the show. However, I will ignore her incompetence and my rating
does not reflect her discourtesy, as it would not affect the general
public.
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I would like to thank Lt. Col. John Klatt of ANG for his invitation
for a seat in the chase plane on Friday, for air-to-air photography,
and for his wonderful staff! I would like to thank Roger Bishop,
David Rothenanger, and Dave Jackson, who all have supported my quest
for better coverage of the air show, and for the B-17 Yankee Lady
flight over the city Friday evening. I would also like to say thanks
to Mark Westra, Dean Carlton and their the hot air balloon team for
my first time “uplifting” experience in the CaZoo-ee
Cameron Z-90 – 90,000 cu. Ft. hot air balloon.
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Saturday: it was a write off.
It rained so hard before the show opened, that the parking areas
on the field were several inches deep with standing water, and the
organizers very wisely cancelled the event. The foul weather continued
till mid morning, but the actual sky did not clear up enough for
any type of flying until noon. The noon fly over of the B-2 bomber
was cancelled much earlier due to the weather too.
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In the afternoon a couple of the warbirds
went up for a bit of practice, including the 369 Huey group of two
Vietnam era helicopters which served in that conflict. My ever lasting
thanks goes out to the founders John and Alan Walker, Founders and
all the members of the American Huey 369, who showed such wonderful
hospitality and introduced me to the historic helicopters, and the
experience of flying in them. |
Sunday: started
off with a dark overcast sky, but there was no rain, thus the organizers
decided to put on the air show, with some modifications that were
necessary due to the soggy fields, where attendees would normally
park. The gates opened on time and people started to arrive slowly
but surely.
However the attendance was definitely affected by the previous day’s rain
and the possibility of more rain for the event. However, this time the weather
cooperated, and by noon it was mostly sunny but with a relatively low ceiling
and very humid as the water was evaporating from the drenched fields. The
air show started on time with the the
E Team Skydiver jumping and displaying a large American flag while
the National Anthem was being sung The jump
was followed by several civilian acts, then by the F/A 18 Super
Hornet, followed by various warbirds first, of the WWII era, the
highlight was the B-17 with a P-51 Mustang flying close support.
This was followed by Vietnam era aircraft and with a downed pilot
rescue simulation with the two Hueys, and Skyraider and C-123K “Provider”,
nicknamed “Thunder Pig”, as gunship support with a
bit of pyrotechnics for added realism. For me this was the highlight
of the event. The East A-10 Team flew also, having seen both the
East and West A-10 Teams, and, sorry guys, but the West Team is
much better! The Horsemen were the main attractions with their
three Mustangs flying in tight formation, and the show ended with
a heritage flight consisting of the A-10 with two P-51 Mustangs. |
There were several aircraft no shows.
Again, this is very typical these days, however, the event seemed
to me to have less warbirds this year, perhaps due to tighter budgets.
There were some WWII era military vehicles on display, including
some replica German vehicles, namely a PzKpfw VI Tiger Ausf E, (built
on a Russian T-34 chassis) and a Hanomag SdKfz 251 APC, (built on
a Czech version). |
Although this year’s
air show was not as big as last years when it came to performers,
and the weather certainly was no help either, it still ranks as one
of the best due to the hospitality, friendliness and willingness
to help to make the visitors welcome and an excellent value for the
$20 admission with free parking! There are too many outstanding people
involved with this great organization, I cannot name them all here,
but I certainly want to mention the ones who have helped me the most;
Mindy Goble, Beth Vahle in the Office, Doug and Janet Cross, Guy
Eoff, Angie Clover, Dennis Smith, Roger Bishop, David Rothenanger,
Dave Jackson, Ted Brindle and Nancy Leslie – you all are the
BEST! |
The Indianapolis air show is highly
recommended for any air show enthusiast! I rate the event a solid
10 out of 10 for their over all efforts despite the bad weather,
as the organizers truly cared about the attendees and tried to make
the best of the situation for everyone on Sunday. |
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Some of the participants were:
- The Horsemen
- A-10 East Demo Team
- F/A-18F Super Hornet aka Rhino
- B-17G Yankee Lady
- B-25 Mitchell "Axis Nightmare"
- LT. Col. John Klatt ANG
- Douglas A-1 Skyraider
- Kent Pietch
- Younkin Twin Beech 18
- Kyle Franklin - Pirate WACO Mystery Ship
- Red Eagle
- Michael Goulian
- USAF Heritage flight
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Rating: 10 out of 10 |
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