THUNDER OVER MICHIGAN 2011

[airshowwb]

I think what they meant was on Thursday and Friday standing outside the airport for arrivals. I too will be at a fence somewhere getting arrival shots but will attend the show on Saturday and Sunday.

[Mudge]

I think what they meant was on Thursday and Friday standing outside the airport for arrivals. I too will be at a fence somewhere getting arrival shots but will attend the show on Saturday and Sunday.

OK...

Mudge the relieved

[PhantomAce08]

I hope I've misunderstood some of the posts, that describe the "good spots for photos" off the field. Are you troops saying that you're not going to buy tickets but will sit at the "photo spots". I hope that's not your intent. I would think that if you're going to take advantage of the effort put into the show, you'd at least support it by buying tickets.
Just sayin'.

Mudge the curious

Mudge,

Don't worry, my wife and I bought Photo Pit/Tour passes for both days within 1 week of the end of the show last year I didn't buy the Friday tickets because I was not sure if I would be able to get off work or not. I was just wondering what spots might be open on Friday if we got there in time (driving from Akron, OH and may stop at a few places along the way). Believe me, we would never sit outside and not buy tickets for the guys at TOM!

Nathan the "Excited for TOM"

[Xray]

Hey, is anyone watching arrivals/practice on Friday? My wife and I were thinking about hanging out someplace around the airport but were not sure of the best place to be.

Can be a challenge finding a good vantage point with the Blues flying, as they close off all perimeter roads like Ecorse that ordinarily offer great vantage points.
If you don't mind being a little distance from the craft, they usually let crowds gather on Ecorse east of Beck road. You are off to the side of the action, to me its just a tease with a spot like that ,,, But that spot usually has the largest crowds.
There are better spots to be had if you don't mind doing a little venturing, along the railroad tracks that run just north of Ecorse along Van Born rd [which is just a dirt trail at that point]. Cops sometimes block that off too, but there are multiple ways to get on the road and make it to the tracks.
Michigan Ave between Beck & Denton offers many good vantage points, in one of the many parking lots or fields off the road. With the right spot determined by the flight profiles of the practicing aircraft, you can be right in line with the runway. Using google maps helps in picking out potential positions.

I think I have a pretty good spot picked out for if we watch the Blues. When they are not flying, can you sit off of Ecorse close to being in line with runway 23?

Last year there were no blocks at all, fantastic view.
So yes, the rules change dramatically when there are no Blues or Tbirds.
That said, of course everyone is encouraged to go in when they can, and/or support the organizers of these great shows. Without a doubt, if I watch the show from outside the airport, I'll be making a donation to a very worthwhile cause.

edit: If you are asking if they only block off Ecorse when the Blues are actually flying ,,, I believe they allow through traffic only when the Blues are headlining a show, they will not allow any crowds to congregate between Beck & Denton, which is the premium spot. If you pull over there, you'll be given the boot in short order. They block all traffic off shortly before Blue takeoff, and maintain the block until they land.

[BK]

According to Ezell Aviation's Facebook page John O'Connor's Blue Angel Bearcat is NOT going to be at Thunder.

[YAF340]

VIP Tour for WIX members, Look me up in the Airpark and get your very own VIP Tour inside our PB4Y-2 . Just look for the B52, head east 2 planes, it's the Big Blue one in the middle. Yet another perk for being on WIX! Hope to see you there, JOE

[P51Mstg]

For those who don' t know Joe..... Joe and Judy are great people. Joe not only is the "crew chief" (not sure of exact term here) for the PB4Y-2 but he is a master engine builder for drag racing and knows about everyone in all the motor sports. Hope to see you again this year....

BTW: WIXers supporting Thunder are not a real issue, the problem is the locals who sit around the airport and watch the show and don't pay to get in. I'm sure they don't realize that if the show isn't supported, then it may not be there next time. Fortunately its going strong. I'm in Detroit now and it was HOT yesterday and is going to be hot today.... Lucky us....

Mark H

[MKD1966]

According to Ezell Aviation's Facebook page John O'Connor's Blue Angel Bearcat is NOT going to be at Thunder.

I just got a Facebook update from Ezell Aviation and now the plan IS for John to bring the BA Bearcat to Michigan after all !!! Excellent update...
Mike

[rcaf_100]

VIP Tour for WIX members, Look me up in the Airpark and get your very own VIP Tour inside our PB4Y-2 . Just look for the B52, head east 2 planes, it's the Big Blue one in the middle. Yet another perk for being on WIX! Hope to see you there, JOE

Thanks for the offer Joe. I think I'll take you up on that!

By the way, has anyone suggested a meeting spot for WIXers for a possible group photo?
There's a few planes that have WIX members directly involved that might work. PV-2 'Hot Stuff'? PB4Y-2? The Harvards?

Just a thought anyways. I'll either be wandering around taking pics or at the CHAA stores set-up next to the Harvards.

See you there!

[PhantomAce08]

VIP Tour for WIX members, Look me up in the Airpark and get your very own VIP Tour inside our PB4Y-2 . Just look for the B52, head east 2 planes, it's the Big Blue one in the middle. Yet another perk for being on WIX! Hope to see you there, JOE

Thanks for the offer Joe. I think I'll take you up on that!

By the way, has anyone suggested a meeting spot for WIXers for a possible group photo?
There's a few planes that have WIX members directly involved that might work. PV-2 'Hot Stuff'? PB4Y-2? The Harvards?

Just a thought anyways. I'll either be wandering around taking pics or at the CHAA stores set-up next to the Harvards.

See you there!

My wife and I will be in the Photo Pit both days. I'll be the "young guy" wearing a camo hat and in a wheelchair!... I severely sprained my right ankle about a week ago and will get to enjoy the super hot show with a giant boot on my leg!!! Couldn't have done it in February...

[AIRIC]

From Todd Hackbarth at YAF. This is the most current list for participating aircraft

[Dan K]

Sure hope the weather holds out. Friday's looking a little stormy.

[Xray]

Rain sure washed out the Blue practice ... I was surprised they took to the air, with the dark gray clouds obviously approaching. Went up for about 10 minutes, did a few maneuvers then came right back down as the rain picked up pace.
Quite a kick to see the V-22, odd looking bird by any standards. Also nice to see the F-5 Aggressors, I didn't know we had any of these still operational.

Lets hope the weather holds out for the weekend, spotty showers are called for both days.

[Steve Nelson]

Any "After Action" reports from today? Looked like there were on-and-off thundershowers moving through the area all day. The wife an I are planning to be there tomorrow..hope the weather cooperates!

SN

[Xray]

Perfect airshow weather, not a drop of rain from my vantage point. I heard the metro area got some showers, but they stayed away from Ypsi.
Quite a piece of work with the B-1 & B-2 doing flybys. I was hoping for a formation pass, but they avoided each other completely. I saw the B-2 orbiting to the north while the B-1 made his runs, then he came right in when the B-1 made his last pass. Tomorrow, only the B-1 is scheduled to fly.
Warbirds made some great runs, Corsairs looked stunning. Spotty showers called for tomorrow as well, lets hope the same luck holds out.
[Anyone have any freqs the heavies use during these airshow runs?]
I heard the tower referencing them, but didn't pick up any direct comms.

Last edited by Xray on Sat Jul 23, 2011 7:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.