Cable Airshow Report
Cable Airport, the world’s largest family run, open use airport hosted its 35th annual airshow on January 9th and 10th, 2010. The weather was fantastic once again for an airshow in January, one of the benefits of being in Southern California. In the morning, before the airport closes and the show begins, a host of aircraft show up to be on static display or to perform at the show in addition to what is on the schedule.
Dr. Frank Donnelly, Rob Harrison, and Julie Clark all had great aerobatic performances. Dr. D’s Old Time Aerobatics features Dr. Donnelly flying his 1946 Taylorcraft through aerobatic maneuvers from the 1950s and 1960s. He ends the performance with several maneuvers performed with the engine off, then landing and taxiing to his parking spot without power. Rob Harrison was in great form, doing his aerobatics in his Czechoslovakian Zlin 50 LX. He is called “The Tumbling Bear” for good reason, and the crowds were excited by his performance. Julie Clark performed aerobatics in her T-34 Mentor with three colors of smoke and flashing strobes. She stands in the cockpit waving the flag while taxiing at the end of her performance.
Dan Buchanan flew in his hang glider outfitted with pyrotechnics. Each day, he flew a short performance in the morning with Rob Harrison and another in the afternoon solo. Dan is an inspiration to many as he is a paraplegic who was told he would not fly again. Clay Lacy demonstrated the Pilatus PC-6 Porter, showing its incredible STOL capability by landing quickly, backing the airplane up and taking off again in a very short distance. He also demonstrated its ability to climb quickly and its glide and maneuverability with the engine off.
A number of Vans RVs were on-hand, flying throughout the day and flying 9 aircraft formations during the afternoon. Additional formation flights were done with 5 Nanchang CJs. Both groups flew great formations.
The Just in Time Skydivers did four jumps throughout the weekend. One drop formation had 16 skydivers linked in a diamond formation. Bob Cable, the airport manager did a tandem jump with one of the skydivers and another skydiver jumped from a Waco biplane, which climbed to 12,000 feet before rolling inverted to let the jumper fall out. A rare Lockheed YO-3 Quiet Star was on static display. It is currently the only flying example, but there is another under restoration at the Cable Airport.
The Commemorative Air Force flew their SNJ-5 for several passes as did a BT-13 Valiant that is under private ownership. The BT-13 bore the markings of the famed Tuskegee airmen. The Planes of Fame in Chino sent their P-38 Lightning “23 Skidoo” that flew some great passes on Sunday during the show. Two P-51 Mustangs, “Su Su” and “Man O’ War” both flew for the crowds. The roar of the Merlins on the low passes thrilled crowds and photographers. The CAF also flew their FM-2 Martlett, doing passes that included a carrier landing approach pass. Multiple Waco biplanes were at the show on static display or flying and giving rides. The world’s largest single-engine biplane, the Antonov AN-2 Colt also flew for the crowds.
This year’s show attendance was well above last year by both aircraft and people. The transient parking areas were considerably busier than last year, with the west end of the field having aircraft parked 3 deep! The first airshow in Southern California for 2010 kicked off what should be a great year for airshows.
By Eric Van Gilder. Van Gilder Aviation Photography www.vg-photo.com
