Summer Air Shows for Kids
But that’s passenger airplanes. For sheer excitement, there’s nothing like watching high-speed, low-altitude acrobatic airplanes…and every summer crack pilots crisscross the country, performing at air shows and impressing all onlookers with their skills and their courage.
These pilots fly every plane imaginable, from World War II vintage Stearman Trainers to Russian MiGs to the most modern of Pitt Specials. And if the air show is particularly favored, the United States Thunderbirds, with their F-16 Fighting Falcons.
Mommas, let your daughters grow up to be pilots. Take ’em to an air show this summer, where they can marvel at the pristine beauty of the planes roaring overhead…and get the autographs of the pilots as well. If you’re at a show with the Thunderbirds, for example, your kids can get the autograph of Captain Nicole Malachowski, who flies the No. 3 jet as the right wing pilot, when the Thunderbirds fly in their diamond formation. Captain Malachowski is the first woman pilot in the Thunderbirds’ 52-year history.
Patty Wagstaff’s presence at an air show is always a treat. She’s a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team. She was the first woman to win the title of US National Aerobatic champion…and she’s one of the few people to win it three times. She flies a plane called the 3000S, and “flies one of the most thrilling, low-level aerobatic routines in the world.”
She’s not the only woman flying aerobatics…Nancy Lynn’s bright red flight suit is a frequent sight on the circuit as well. Mary Dilda has been performing at air shows for years. And, believe it not there are lots of women wingwalkers out there, including Carol Pilon, Pat Wagner, and Teresa Stokes.
Women pilots are by no means new, of course – Harriet Quimby was the first licensed female pilot in America – in 1911. Bessie Coleman was the first African-American woman to be licensed, in 1921. And they were just the forerunners of American woman pilots. Amelia Aerhart and Jacqueline Cochran are perhaps the most famous…but they are only the tip of the iceberg.
But back to the sights and sounds of an air show. In addition to the aerobatics, there’s usually plenty of ‘static’ displays at these shows – classic planes from World War II, Korea, Vietnam and today. There’ll be vendors selling clothing such as caps and pilot’s jackets, and models of planes such as the Fokker Dr-1 Triplane. Hopefully your local Civil Air Patrol will be there – the Patrol is something that every kid should look into – it’s an organization like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, but these kidsl learn how to pilot a plane, search-and-rescue methods, and command responsibilities.
Air shows happen every summer, every year. Below is a select listing of US airshows this summer where Patty Wagstaff will be performing. But I’ve included the URLs for the female pilots mentioned above so check out their websites for their performance schedules, as what’s below is only a partial list.
Check out each show’s website to see the other aerobatics pilots and static displays.
If you decide to go, it’s imperative to check out the show’s website for its rules. You probably won’t be able to bring in a cooler, but you should be able to bring in lawn chairs to sit in – and they’re a must. If you’re bringing little kids, make sure you equip them with earplugs if military planes are flying – the sound of the jets just a few hundred yards away can be really loud.
June 10-11, 2006
Southern Wisconsin AirFest, Janesville, WI
www.swairfest.org
July 7 -9, 2006
Duluth Airshow, Duluth, MN
The Thunder Birds will be here too!
www.duluthairshow.com
July 24-30, 2006
EAA AirVenture, Oshkosh, WI
www.eaa.org
August 26-27, 2006
Wichita Air Festival, Jabarra Airport,Wichita, Kansas
www.wichitafestivals.com
September 9-10, 2006
NAS Oceana Airshow, Virginia Beach, VA
www.oceanaairshow.com
September 16-17, 2006
Terre Haute Air Fair, Terre Haute, IN
www.terrehauteairfair.com
September 30-October 1, 2006
Nantucket Airshow, Nantucket, MA
www.nantucketairport.com
October 21-22, 2006
Albert Whitted Airshow, St. Petersburg, FL
October 28-29, 2006
NAS Jacksonville Airshow, Jacksonville, FL
www.nasjax.navy.mil
