2008 California Capital Airshow
Posted by: Ryan, March 18, 2008
Compared to last year’s hot and busy air show, the 2008 California Capital Air Show held at the former Mather AFB on March 15th and 16th was much cooler but the lineup was still worth getting up early. To start with, after the unbearable heat issues that took some of the shine off of last year’s show, this year the date was moved up to the middle of March. This provided much cooler weather, although it also increased the chance that some inclement weather may pop-up. Despite a few showers on Friday, and the threat of thunderstorms on Saturday, the worst of the weather held off and the show was able to proceed as planned. Sunday was the best day as far as “sunshine” was concerned, but due to some very heavy crosswinds several performers had to be scratched from the lineup. It also created some challenging conditions for the acts that did go up.
On the civilian performer side of the show the headline act was “The Collaborators”, a four-plane act lead by the one and only Sean D. Tucker in his Oracle Challenger II biplane. Joining him on left wing was his son, Eric W. D. Tucker. On right wing was Ben Freelove and filling the slot position was Bill Stein. With Eric and Ben flying Extra 300L’s and Bill piloting his Edge 540 it is definitely a unique formation – Doing such maneuvers such as the quad hammerhead turn in which all four planes climb and turn 180 degrees with Bill and Sean seeming to cross each others path and a very cool cartwheel type loop in which each plane does staggered loops right behind the other.
Sean also performed his solo act which never ceases to amaze the crowd. Flying his red and white biplane with amazing precision and even taking the time to teach a short aerobatic lesson. Then he has his most interesting part of act in which he flies under three ribbons then comes back in knife edge flight and cuts each ribbon. On Sunday this was even more awe inspiring due to the very heavy crosswind. Bill was also a solo act in his very uniquely painted Edge 540 seeming to change color with every change of angle or direction that Bill executed with amazing results.
The other civilian acts included Tim Decker, although he flies U-2’s at Beale AFB he also performs in his Pitts S-2 biplane. He is also a very friendly guy, even though he was short on time before the start of the show on Sunday he took the time to walk the fence line and give signatures to the young people and children in the crowd. He is also part of the last, but not least civilian performers act flown by an amazing person, Dan Buchanan. If you were to just see him in his hang-glider act you would think he was just a normal person, you would be wrong. He is amazing and inspiring in that he is paraplegic, having no use of his legs. Featuring fireworks and some comedic moments Tim and Dan put on a great act, with Tim circling Dan and pretending to intercept the orange and white hang-glider.
After last year’s heavy metal military showing, some people were disappointed in the perceived lack of military presence at this years show. Despite having no fly-bys like last years B-2 Stealth Bomber and U-2 spy plane this years show was just as good. With the Blue Angels as the headliner act, this years show featured other demos included the striking AV-8B Harrier, F-16 “Viper West” demo team, Coast Guard Station Sacramento C-130, US Army Screaming Eagle parachute team, and a simulated rescue of a downed airman by the ANG Blackhawks stationed at Mather.
For their 2nd show of the year, the Blues did an amazing job. A special treat this year was a new “break” in which five planes coming toward the crowd peel up and out with one staying straight and flying over the crowd. With a multitude of amazing passes and breaks, the crowd was kept very happy and in awe. “Fat Albert”, the Blue Angels support aircraft, a C-130 painted to in the Blues colors also had an amazing show. From his almost straight-up takeoff to his banked passes and his most amazing part of the act, the combat landing, he always got a reaction from the throngs of airshow fans. Despite a blown tire on landing on Sunday the act went off without a hitch.
Despite not being able to fly on Sunday due to crosswinds being to strong the Harrier demo team did an amazing job on Saturday of showing off the amazing and unique capability of the aircraft. In addition to being the loudest aircraft at the show it also was the only one besides the Blackhawks to be able to hover and fly backwards. Starting off with a loud and fast departure then coming back around to show center to hover and spin 360 degrees then fly backwards along the runway it definitely made for a memorable show.
Just like last year, the ANG Blackhawks stationed right at Mather field did a very nice display of skill in simulating the rescue of a downed pilot. Starting, the two of the helicopters fly in and begin lowering a crew member who hooks the pilot on to his harness then is pulled back into the chopper. After they are back in the chopper, the two Blackhawks fly away then give a nice high speed pass.
The “Screaming Eagles” US Army parachute team had a tough weekend. After almost having to give up on the jump on Saturday due to clouds obscuring the field, the winds on Sunday sadly prevented them from jumping that day. When they did jump on Saturday they did an amazing job with colored smoke and precision landings. The Coast Guard C-130 from Sacramento also served as the jump ship when not demonstrating a rescue at sea. Also giving a nice high speed pass to spice things up.
The F-16 “Viper West” team took up the challenge of filling the hole that a few of the acts left on Sunday and did an amazing job. If you like loud and heart pounding demos, this is one not to miss. Hardly ever not using the afterburner, demo pilot Russ Piggott puts the “Viper” through its paces in a fast paced demo. Showing off the F-16’s climb ability he climbs straight up to 15,000 feet before you can count to 10. He also shows the Viper’s amazing maneuverability with the “Falcon Turn” and maximum performance 9G turn.
Overall this years show was worth attending and gambling on the weather. Although this show is only three years old now, it is heading the right direction to becoming a major show on the west coast.
Keith Breazeal
-April 21st, 2008 at 11:49 pm says:Nice photos and write-ups! I homed in on the California Capital show since I was there the last two years. Check out my web site videos from the show. Last year I did the F-22, Viper West this year. The video of Fat Albert’s crosswind landing is there also.
Keith Breazeal/producer
http://www.kbvp.com