2011 Indianapolis Air Show
Indianapolis Regional Airport, Greenfield, Indiana May 13-15, 2011
I have been attending air shows for over 34 years and made my first visit to the Indianapolis Air Show in 2009. I have continued to return since then as there is something very unique about this event – the best analogy I can make is to imagine going to see a major concert act in a small and intimate venue. You can really get up-close and personal with the aircraft as the Warbirds on static display actually fly during the show! The “Ramp Rats” of the Special Ramp Services do an amazing job as they spot the aircraft – it is a VERY neat experience that is hard to describe unless you have been there! Couple the vintage Warbird participation along with a great mix of civilian performers and military demonstrations and this is a must-attend show for aviation enthusiasts!
This year was the 15th anniversary celebration at the Indianapolis Regional Airport (formerly Mount Comfort Airport) and it did not disappoint (even though the flying on Sunday was cancelled due to low ceilings and rain). Announcing the show was Rob Reider. Reider has been narrating for over 30 years and 2011 marks his 6th as a full-time air show announcer. The Indianapolis Air Show operates differently from other shows with Friday not only being media day but also being open to the general public at a discounted price from the regular weekend days. Friday’s weather was fair with clouds in the area that kept some performers from flying their full “high” show routines. Saturday was originally forecast to be the worst day weather-wise but the threat of rain never materialized and all of the acts were able to get in the air. After the National Anthem, fans were treated to a teaser performance by the Red Eagle Air Sports Team with team lead Dan McClung flying the Talon Eagle and Billy Werth in a Pitts S-2C. The team would return to the sky later in the day to perform their full routine, but this “preview” was a great way to start the show!
As soon as Red Eagle Air Sports Team landed, the next act was inbound. The Air Force Viper West F-16 demonstration flown by Captain Garrett “Mace” Dover roared in from behind the crowd (due to the runway length at Indianapolis Regional Airport the F-16 staged from Indianapolis International Airport). Mace flew a high-energy demonstration that culminated in a two-ship Air Force Heritage Flight when he was joined by none other than Dale “Snort” Snodgrass in a P-51 Mustang! Following Mace and Snort was Dave Dacy in his Super Stearman (which is actually a modified Boeing Stearman Model 75). Dacy would fly again in the afternoon with Tony Kazian walking the wing of the Stearman.
With Dave Dacy’s Super Stearman performance complete, it was now time for Dan Buchanan. Buchanan’s unpowered hang glider act is impressive to see and when Rob Reider announces that Buchanan’s legs are paralyzed, the crowd lets out a collective “whoa” in disbelief! Once Dan Buchanan had been recovered, Jacquie Warda began her routine in her Pitts S-1T. This was my first time seeing Jacquie fly and I certainly hope it isn’t the last – she is a refreshing change of pace on the air show circuit!
After Jacquie Warda’s demonstration had ended, it was time for the Warbird portion of the show. The first part of the show consisted of four T-6 Texans, one Yak-52, three CJ-6s, one L-17 Navion, two Bulldog variants (T.1 and SK-61), one L-19 Bird Dog, one L-5 Sentinel, one L-39 Albatros and one UH-1 Huey helicopter for good measure! The aircraft taxied out, took off and flew multiple racetrack patterns under the watchful eye of Air Boss Ralph Royce. While the first element recovered, the next group of Warbirds taxied out in preparation for their flight evolution. This second element consisted of one PV-2 Harpoon, one B-25 Mitchell, one C-1 Trader (which is the only Trader still flying today), one C-45 Expeditor, one TBM Avenger, one F4U Corsair and one FM-2 Wildcat. The Warbirds flew multiple patterns and the highlight for me (being a prior-Navy service member) was watching the Trader, Corsair and Wildcat join-up for a Missing-Man formation to commemorate the Centennial of Naval Aviation! As the Warbirds began to land and taxi back to the ramp, Rob Reider announced that a surprise was in-store for us - we would be treated to a flyby from a Grissom Joint Reserve Base KC-135 Stratotanker! Everybody looked to the east as the Stratotanker appeared with the refueling boom lowered into position. The Stratotanker departed to the west until it was just a speck on the horizon.
Next up was an act that I was anxious to see – the Heavy Metal Jet Team. The civilian-owned jet team is in its first season on the air show circuit for 2011 and operates five L-39 Albatros aircraft in an Arctic camouflage paint scheme. The pilots are Lieutenant Colonel Jerry "Jive" Kerby, USAF (retired), Jared "Rook" Isaacman, Doug "H-Dog" Demko, Major John "Slick" Baum, USAF and Captain Dale "Snort" Snodgrass, USN (retired). The team took turns at show center, alternating between the precision formation maneuvers demonstrated by the diamond while Snort executed loops, rolls and low passes down the flight-line. It was exciting to see a different jet team (aside from the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds) and I can’t wait to see them again at another air show this season!
Finally, it was time for the headlining act – the Navy Blue Angels! The demonstration began with a performance by the transport workhorse of the squadron. “Fat Albert,” as the Blue Angels affectionately call their C-130 Hercules support aircraft, put on an exhibition that one normally doesn’t see from an airplane of that size and shape. In all of my years of going to air shows, I have never heard anybody refer to “Bert” as “fat” during its performance! Once Bert’s demonstration was complete, six F/A-18 Hornets appeared in front of the crowd at show center (the Blue Angels jets also staged from Indianapolis International Airport). The low clouds and darkening skies contrasted nicely with the Hornet’s blue and gold paint scheme as the squadron performed for the crowd. The 2011 edition of the Indianapolis Air Show was finished and I can’t wait to see what the organizers have planned for next year. Whatever that may be, I’ll be there and I hope to see some of you as well!
By Anthony Svihlik (acsvihlik@yahoo.com)
