how was the cleveland national air show this year??

[tom d. friedman]

how was the cleveland national air show this year?? opinions?? pics?? i have not attended in 5 years as i feel the show has dropped considerably quality wise overall.

[mlenoch]

Thunderbirds
A-10 demo
F-4 & P-51 Heritage flight
Memphis Belle B-17 flyby
Coast Guard Dauphin demo
F-18 demo
Chimpmunk akro
Pitts akro
John Klatt akro
Kent Pietsch car top & akro
CP-140 flyby
Golden Knights
Jet school bus

[tom d. friedman]

sounds like the usual droll of the last few years. that show needs zipping up with new ideas.

[mlenoch]

What might be some good improvements?
Just curious. Thx,
VL

[PhantomAce08]

We were there on Saturday, but were not actually on the show grounds. We watched from the William G. Mather steamship at the Great Lakes Science Center. Great view of the jets!!! We had one of the Thunderbirds come from behind us and from below the stadium lights and buzz us on a sneak pass. It was the closest flyby I have ever seen!!! I checked and the stadium is 171 ft. tall and I am very certain he was below that. That coupled with the fact that we were 40 feet in the air on the deck of the ship made for an extremely close flyby that was by far the loudest thing I have ever heard at an air show. It was probably about 103F-105F on the metal deck and this gave me goosebumps!

As for the rest of the show--relatively boring. The aerobatic acts just don't do it for me. I was hoping for a little more from a certain blue-nosed Mustang , but I know how that works. The F-4 was a great touch this year and was pretty much the only reason I attended. Also, given the usual poor showing of aircraft on the ground, my decision not to go in was pretty easy. I guess there is just not enough warbirds there, but I understand the setting.

Also, not to take anything away from the Golden Knights, but they are not the most exciting act--let alone having two demonstrations!

The Great Lakes Science Center had an announcer on the PA system of the ship for the whole show--one who aside from a few factual issues, was probably the best air show announcer who I have ever heard. He was certainly much better than the more "famous" one who was over at the actual show grounds.

[tom d. friedman]

What might be some good improvements?
Just curious. Thx,
VL

the show needs some of the southwest u.s. & western u.s. acts / displays., that they attract, not inflatable bouncey rides, tourist trap crap, etc, for the kids. it has it's place but it's an air show!! i've had the privilege to be in the tower for many years to observe the show from the control tower w/ my best friend, who ran the show, # 1 man at cleveland atc center, so i can can give real indepth perspective. trust me.... please, i can relate real perspective.

[mlenoch]

Thx for the reply. Always curious to hear others feedback.
VL
(wish they had a P-51 demo, sigh.)