Posted on 10/22/2005 10:38:51 AM PDT by BenLurkin
EDWARDS AFB - Aviation buffs, grab your cameras. The Edwards Air Force Base Open House and Air Show returns today for a two-day run after a two-year absence.
Gates open today and Sunday at 7 a.m., with the flying set to run from 10 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. each day. Parking and admission are free.
Among the featured aerial acts are the newest addition to the Air Force arsenal, the F/A-22 Raptor and the B-2 stealth bomber.
In keeping with tradition, Chuck Yeager will open the air show, this year flying a P-51 Mustang similar to the one he piloted as a World War II ace.
On the ground, nearly a mile of flightline and hangars will feature aircraft and other displays from the Air Force, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, the Experimental Aircraft Association, defense contractors and others.
Visitors may enter the base from the West Gate on Rosamond Boulevard or the North Gate off Highway 58. The South Gate will be closed to the public.
On base, Edwards security forces will direct visitors to parking locations. Parking and shuttles to the event are free, with shuttles running to and from the flightline all day. Recent rains have muddied the lake bed used for public parking, so base officials are requesting that visitors carpool when possible to ensure adequate parking.
For security reasons, many items are prohibited at the air show, including backpacks, coolers, large purses, glass containers, weapons and pets. Visitors may bring lawn chairs, diaper bags, water containers and small coolers for baby food or medication. All items are subject to search.
Details, including maps and guest tips, are available at www.edwards.af.mil/openhouse.
Traditionally an annual event, the open house was canceled last year due to increased workload at the base in support of war efforts.
The event was also cancelled in 2001 due to security concerns following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
I was out at the base yesterday and had a chance to watch the practice runs; it was great fun. I hope the folks who attend have a wonderful time - the weather today is perfect for an air show.
That is a safe bet.
Boy, I love reading this. I was heavily involved in the setup for the Travis Air Expo, as the Ramp Boss (I was in charge of making sure all aircraft were on their correct spots on the ramp, plus the locations of all tents, booths, port-a-potties, etc.) Knowing that you enjoyed the Show lets me know I did something close to right. :)
Internet shorthand for 'dear husband'. Online all husbands are dear!
I thought he retired and did his last jet flight a number of years ago (on an F-15). Said he wanted to retire on his own terms, and not get retired down the road by some flight surgeon. I guess he just couldn't stay away.
Yep. The true example of a 20th Century hero, a man who unabashedly says his greatest accomplishment was to NOT have a street at Edwards named after him (or have his pictue hung on Pancho's wall).
...NOT have a street at Edwards named after him...
"There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old bold pilots".
Except for Chuck. A rarity.
Ping.
Before I retired, I was working in the Tower. It was a real good place to watch everything. From the tower, it was easy to see where all the correct parking spots were, but on the ground, it was easy to get lost on that gigantic ramp.
Beautiful day for an air show. I remember the first time I went to the Edwards show (in 1996) it was cold and rainy with a strong wind. Today's beautiful. Just heard a boom a few minutes ago!
You can say that again! I still get lost trying to make sense of which spot is which...the only ones I know for sure are the 290 row and the VIP...errr, DV spots. Other than that, I find the aircraft by the tail numbers.
Woo! That's a gooder.
I was working outside today & saw the B-52 go around a few times. Gorgeous sunny, blue skies!
"Held my son up so he could see and told him to remember that he saw Chuck Yeager."
Oh, that is great. Evidently the Air Show went beautifully. At the finale they used a squadron of T6 Texans dressed up to look like Japanese Zeroes, and they reenacted "Tora Tora Tora" in the sky. COOL!!
Oh, and I heard that General Yeager flew in in a modified P-51. What a guy!
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