Pre-Show Festivities

I got a reminder today why experienced blogger-types tell the newbies if at all possible keep a digital camera within reach.

Aviation fanatics will descend onto the Santa Maria Airport tomorrow for the annual Santa Maria Air Show:

The air show and classic warbird fly-in opens its gates Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. This year, the event will be on the south side of the airfield at the Blosser Road gate, accessed off Foster Road.

Admission costs $5 for adults, $3 for children 7 to 12 years old and $4 for senior citizens. A family of four can enter for $12, plus $1 for each additional child.

Valley residents will have a chance this afternoon between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. for a sneak peek with a tactical demonstration by VFA-125, organizers said.

Our offices are directly across the street from the main entrance to the Airport. Our windows rattle on the odd occasion that a sizable jet takes off for distant points east and south. Phil and his F/A-18 made considerably more noise!

At a bit past three o' clock I had a Fed ex package I needed to get sent and I decided I'd walk it across the street to the Fed ex box. The box sits in the business park adjacent to the Airport. The park butts up against the Airport facilities and provided a birds-eye view to Phil's aeronautic acrobatics.

Peter was doing a series of rolls, steep climbs and glides ending in a mock final-approach. His turns were sharp, wing-tip to the ground and as he pulled out he'd climb hard, even going near-vertical on a few.

While standing mouth-agape at the box, I watched Phil and his jet made two passes by me. On the last of the two he flew right over me finishing his turn and banking back to center then pushing into another hard climb. As he ascended I was left staring at the orange and blue flame in his six and left deaf to anything but the engine's roar.

This is why experienced blogger-types tell newbies to keep a digital camera handy. You never know when you'll get a great candid. I'm really glad mine was sitting at home today.

Thanks for the show VF-125!