A Glimmer of Hope for Air Shows in North America

Far from the major headlines of the day, an announcement on 22 October should bring a smile to air show organizers and volunteers, folks associated with the charitable organizations which air shows support, aviation enthusiasts and taxpayers who like to see their military up close.

The US Navy’s aerobatic team – the Blue Angels – and the US Air Force Thunderbirds will be back in action for a full show schedule in 2014 as will Army, Navy and Air Force parachute teams.  That’s how it stands at this point in time.

Also announced was a reduction in static display aircraft at air shows compared to years preceding the 2013 sequester and the near elimination of flyovers at mainly non-aviation events.

Boeing VC-25 Pics from Orlando

President Barak Obama paid a quick visit to Orlando, Florida yesterday to address the annual national convention of the 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans service organization.  Not wanting to miss a chance to photograph a USAF VIP bird, my better half and I headed over to Orlando IAP (KMCO) and were not disappointed when Air Force One arrived.

The typical late morning summer weather of central Florida added to the attractive VIP paint scheme which is worn by many of the aircraft assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing at Joint Base Andrews-NAF Washington, Maryland.

Boeing VC-25A 92-9000 is one of two 747-200B series aircraft flown by the 89th AW’s Presidential Airlift Group.  Now well over two decades old, their replacement has been under consideration by USAF planners for some time.  With a decision still somewhere over the horizon, the VC-25s will continue to carry presidents to domestic and international destinations for many years to come.

Inspiring a New Generation?

As the years pass, there seems to be fewer opportunities to light the fire of enthusiasm in aircraft and aviation among youngsters.  Historically, airports and air shows provided aircraft viewing opportunities which captured the imagination of most children and steered many toward a career or lifelong interest in military or civil aeronautics.  As this blog is being written, many airports have become no-watch zones. Air shows seem to be in good health in most parts of the world and particularly so in Europe.  In North America, however, a substantial number of air shows in the United States have succumbed to sequester-related Department of Defense budget cuts which eliminated all support of civilian air shows and led to the nationwide cancelation of military base open houses.  Air shows in Canada, supported in considerable strength over the past 35 years by the US DoD, have been downsized somewhat.

However, there is a new 3D film on the verge of release which may create a new generation of young aviation aficionados.  Planes, a computer-generated story of a crop duster aircraft (aerial application aircraft in today’s terminology) – Dusty – aspiring to become a big league air racer, is The Walt Disney Company’s latest animated offering.  Scheduled for release on 9 August, the cast of characters includes historic air racers, executive types and military aircraft of yesterday and today.

Even the most serious aviation enthusiasts should, at least, find themselves entertained while a welcome new generation of aviation ‘geeks’ may very well be born.

Note: The following images were captured by Krista Swan-Tachauer during arrival/practice day events prior to the Waterloo Air Show held at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, Ontario in June 2013.  Special thanks go out to Diana Spremo, General Manager of Media & Marketing, and the hard-working media support folks for their efforts in making the following photos possible.

(below)  Supporting the advertising effort for Planes, Dusty has been brought to life.  Originating as an Air Tractor AT-301 aerial spray aircraft, Dusty is seen here taking off and taxiing with Rusty Lindeman of Texas-based Rusty’s Flying Service at the controls.  The paint scheme approximates that of the movie’s star but N3159D is not powered by the proven Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine which equipped the AT-301.  Instead, Dusty is pulled along by an equally reliable Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 turbine engine and is officially known as an AT-400A.  Dusty is scheduled to be at several air shows this year with his final appearance scheduled for the November 2013 Stuart Air Show in Florida.

First Canadian ISS Commander Leaves a Legacy of Music in Space

Well that was a fast six months!  A change of command ceremony was held aboard International Space Station yesterday - Sunday, 12 May – during which Colonel (Ret’d) Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency turned the station over to Russian cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov.

Besides providing a regular stream of educational demonstrations during 146 days in space, Col. Hadfield has surely set the bar high for musical performances while in space.  That is, perhaps, not surprising for an astronaut who is well known in the Houston, Texas area for singing with bands including an all-astronaut rock band known as Max Q (the maximum dynamic pressure exerted on a rocket during a launch).

The following links are provided for those interested in viewing and listening to some impressive performances:

I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing)
This song was co-written with Ed Robertson (Cessna 206 float pilot) and the Barenaked Ladies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvAnfi8WpVE

Moondance
This song was performed with The Chieftains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P63tbnzYVeQ

Space Oddity
Yes, David Bowie’s hit.  Possibly the best version/video yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaOC9danxNo