The Great GA Airshow...aptly named!

The air show was amazing.  Simply put, it was better than anything I've ever been to here in GA.  Let's start at the beginning.

We arrived late.  I was traveling with my brother, his wife (something about them having a baby now makes them very slow at stuff??) and a friend.  Thankfully, my brother's a cop and inherently drives at Mach 0.9 and we weren't too late.  Just as we walked through the gate, we were audience to a yellow cub landing on top of a truck; something I've always wanted to see in person check.  That's about when I realized I'd forgotten my camera, sorry.

Soon we were watching the Navy's SuperHornet Demonstration Team.  I've seen F-18s flying before, but I'm always amazed.  I try to imagine being an enemy of the U.S., having never seen anything like that, and what it would feel like having one roaring over head; I wouldn't be an enemy for long.  Something I've never seen in person was when the team flirted with the sound barrier during a few fly-by's.  Everyone's seen pictures of the white halo around a jet breaking the sound barrier, but it's breath-taking watching it in person.

After that, a plethora of the usual performances entertained the crowd as I weaved in and out of the many aircraft on the ground.  There was a small, but impressive, Diamond Aircraft display.  To the far left of the field, a C130 and two training jets were displayed.  I would have walked through the C130, but I've already been in plenty and there's not much to see; plus, there was a huge line.  There were miniature jets that you could sit your small child in and take pictures; thought that was cool, but we didn't bring my nephew for obvious audio-related reasons.

Last, but certainly not least, the Harrier Demonstration began.  Unfortunately, the Vertical Takeoff ability of the craft couldn't be shown in fear that it would damage the runway below.  They did, however, take off in what looked to be less than 100 ft; impressive for any plane.  They then demonstrated the craft's ability to hover in any direction: even backwards!  I've never seen anything like it in my life.  The jet moved with a degree of grace as it reached zero-forward movement and began hovering in all directions.

I'll definitely be attending next year's event, but I'm hoping I can talk my way into a few things before then.  I have one year to convince someone to let me ride with them during a performance... we'll see.

I'll have video from my phone, later; check back!