|
FAQ:
I do not know the e-mail address of your relative on a Navy ship. I am not affiliated with the military and don't have any information whatsoever about facilities at any air force base or navy ship or whatever. I am just a regular person and maintain this page as a hobby. Questions and comments that don't fall into the above category are welcome. I can be reached here.
|
2011 Northern California Air Shows
Selected Northern California and other air shows nearby. Dates and performers always are tentative. Visit the actual show sites for current information.
Some links and show details not yet available. I'll add them as I find them.
I've not been to an air show in about 6 years or so. It somehow just all of a sudden stopped. As a result I have fallen out of practice using my expensive DSLR. I hope to start going to shows again soon, when I have a job -- most air shows are not free. In the meantime, all the old pages are still here.
Beale AFB Open House
4/30/2011 to 5/1/2011 -- Beale Air Force Base, CA
Beale AFB Home Page (no link to the show)
John Collver Warbirds, Thunderbirds, Patriots Jet Team. This show isn't held every year. I went to one years ago. The Thunderbirds sort of flew that day, but there was a "low sky" due to clouds and they didn't perform any high altitude manuevers. Slight disappointment. This was the only show I've ever seen a U-2. Beale has often been the home of secret US planes, including the Blackbird and the F-117 Nighthawk. None of those flew that day but there was a Nighthawk on the ground. It was surrounded by several guards with automatic rifles.
Madera Air Show
5/22 to 23/2011 -- MAE, Madera, CA
John Collver Warbirds, Ace Maker. I've never heard of this one.
Hollister Airshow
5/28 to 29/2011 -- Hollister Airport, Hollister, CA
Hollister Airshow
Dr. D's Old-Time Aerobatics, Vicky Benzing Aerosports. Never heard of this one either. Small civil aviation location. Hot place, weather-wise.
Castle Airport Open House & Military Appreciation Day
6/11/2011 -- Castle AFB, Atwater, CA
No performers listed yet. This is almost out of my usual traveling range, but Castle AFB has in the past had some nice military aircraft.
Porterville Airshow
6/11/2011 -- Porterville, CA
No details listed.
Vertical Challenge Helicopter Air Show
6/17 to 19/2011 -- Hiller Air Museum, San Carlos, CA
www.hiller.org
Travis Air Expo
7/30 to 31/2011 -- Travis AFB, CA
Thunderbirds, Ace Maker, John Collver. Traditionally one of the best air shows around, mostly because it's Travis and has the most up-to-date and elite aircraft in the USA. In past years I saw here an SR-71, a B-1 and a B-2 fly. The B-1 was noisy as hell, the B-2 almost silent until it was right on top of you. Amazing. On the runway were F-22 prototypes with no markings at all. Those didn't fly. This base is in an area that can get really hot, so if you go, bring sun screen, and apply it often. If you don't you will end up looking like a boiled crab before the day ends. I've seen it happen.
Watsonville Fly-In and Air Show
9/3 to 5/2011 (Friday to Sunday) -- Watsonville Airport, CA
www.watsonvilleflyin.org
John Collver. Nice local show. One year here we flew in a B-17 (pics are still here on the site). It wasn't cheap: $350 for a half hour ride. Back then it cost over $2000 an hour to fly those things. It was worth the flight.
California Capital Air Show
9/10 to 11/2011 -- Mather Airport, Rancho Cordova, CA
California Capital Airshow
Dan Buchanan, AirPros, Ace Maker, Tora Tora Tora, Patriots, Greg Poe, Patty Wagstaff. I've never been to this one.
California International Airshow
10/2 to 3/2011 -- Salinas, CA
www.salinasairshow.com
Red Bull, Snowbirds, Sean D. Tucker, Dan Buchanan, Robosaurus. One of the few years they don't have either the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds. But the Snowbirds are good, if not spectacular. I've seen them a couple times.
Redding Airshow
9/24 to 25/2011 -- Redding Airport, Redding, CA
Redding Air Show Home Page
Ace Maker. Page actually not updated yet. If you go to this show, bring a hat because it gets *real* hot there. I've been to a show there to see the Blue Angels.
MCAS Miramar Airshow
10/1 to 3/2011 -- San Diego/MCAS Miramar (just north of San Diego), CA
www.miramarairshow.com
Blue Angels, Snowbirds. It can get really hot at this location so come prepared.
California International Airshow
10/2 to 3/2011 -- Salinas, CA
www.salinasairshow.com
Thunderbirds.
San Francisco Fleet Week
10/8 to 9/2011 -- Municipal Pier, San Francisco, CA
www.fleetweek.us
Blue Angels, Snowbirds, Patriots. If you can't get out to Pier 29 or Chrissy Field to see this show, my favorite spot is the Pier 39 parking garage's top level. Paid parking, or get up there on foot. But get there early because lots of people know about this vantage point. As always, the best spots go first. If your car is in the front row facing the San Francisco Bay, be prepared for late-comers to sit on your hood. I just told them "excuse me, this is my car." This show often has acts canceled without notice or any sort of announcement because of the fog. You're just left standing there wondering when the act is going to fly by, and nothing happens.
NAS Lemoore Central Valley Airshow
10/15 to 16/2011 -- NAS Lemoore, CA (way out in the Central Valley)
No performers listed. I've included this one because we went there one year just to see one thing: the Super Hornet. Lemoore is a Naval base that serves as a training facility for F/A-18 pilots. It's really hot there, too.
Go back to top of page.
|
