An Air Show to Remember

Saturday, 17 October 2009, Edwards AFB, California held its first air show since 2006 - Flight Test Nation 2009. Well over 200,000 people attended this spectacular event to see many old and new planes fly together and exhibit their abilities in the skies.

The show started with the twin sonic booms of two F-16 fighter jets high in the sky over the airfield. Major General Joe Engle and Brigadier General Charles "Chuck" Yeager, both retired from the United States Air Force, flew in the back seat of those two F-16s.

This super-sonic flight happened 3 days after the 62^nd anniversary of the first time General Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in the experimental X-1 rocket. Among his other accomplishments Major General Joe Engle is known for being the first person to fly an aircraft (not a space shuttle - he did that later) in space.

The air show continued after the twin sonic booms with paratroopers from the Army Golden Knights jumping with the American Flag, while the National Anthem played. There were several fly bys by widely varying aircraft from the A-10 Thunderbolt II to White Knight II and just about everything in between. "TORA! TORA! TORA!" headlined the show along with the Army's Golden Knights, who had a second demonstration later in the day.

"TORA! TORA! TORA!" is a group of old Japanese Zeros and American Army fighters that reenact the attack and defense of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The demonstration was very impressive and included an impressive display of pyrotechnics, the heat of which could be felt in the viewing area. Having been to Hawaii and visited the USS Arizona Memorial, this demonstration had a huge impact on me.

Another of the demonstrating planes was the F-22 Rapter. It was very impressive as it flew nearly vertical to the ground before rolling out and coming back around in a maneuver called a tail slide. The pilot did this several times to show a capability that most other fighters lack. The F-22 is stationed at Edwards AFB for flight testing.

Although this was an "Air Show" many of the planes present were on the ground. Some of these included Marine helicopters, Navy fighters, and some of the old Army Warbirds. These static displays often had someone, who worked with the planes regularly, there to take questions from the public about them. Some of the planes on the ground were even open to the public for interior viewing. One of these was the STS-114, which is the 747 Jumbo Jet specially designed by NASA to carry the space shuttles back to Florida when they land here at Edwards AFB. There were several other planes displayed by NASA like the White Knights I and II, but the STS-114 was the only one open to the public.

Also on the ground, an enlistment ceremony for some 200 men and women who were joining the military service was conducted by General Eichhorn, Commander of Edwards AFB. In addition, inside one of the hangers, representatives from NASA, the Edwards AFB History Office, and several contractors presented themselves to offer information and photo opportunities. Finally at the end of the show, there was a nice interview session with General Chuck Yeager and General Joe Engle. They told several war stories and what it was like being a pilot in the old days. It was a nice opportunity to hear what it was like from people who were actually there and not just reading it from a text book.

Overall, Flight Test Nation 2009 seemed like a success. I was happy that I went, and pleased with the fact that I learned a few things. The next time I have the opportunity, I will definitely attend an air show again.