The so-called “California International Air Show Salinas” was this weekend at Salinas airport. Canadians seemed to be the only other international participants though.
I was fortunate enough to get a ride there from San Jose with a friend who was from the area and had been to the airshow before a few times.
It was interesting to pass through Gilroy and surrounding areas and see the housing and mall developments springing up. At one point we drove by a eucalytus forest.
We parked at Northridge Mall and took the free shuttle bus to and from the event.
I bought a “box seat” ticket for a steep $33. By box seat they literally mean you sit in chair in a boxed-off area out front. Great view, easy to hear the announcer. No shade whatsoever though.
The weather was great, and luckily the fog didn’t roll in this year and cancel the jet performances.
There wasn’t much international about it, though there was a CF18 and a Canadian jump team. The CF18 had to break off early with some kind of technical problem.
One fellow had both a Nikon 600mm and what looked to be a 500mm for his D300.
The static display included several piston warbirds, a restored Cessna 150L, and a 1948 Ercoupe. I think there was a car rally this weekend too, since there were a bunch of classic cars on display also.
There were 2 C-130s that you could enter, as well as Army recruitment displays inside trailer-trucks.
There were a bunch of aerobatic performances, including Sean Tucker, Julie Clark and a power-off performance.
Some of the jets included a FA-18 and a F-15E. There was a formation flight with a P-38. I was surprised to see each of the jets do a slow-flight pass, since I don’t remember seeing that in previous airshows.
The Thunderbirds put on a good show. It was interesting to be up that close and see the coordination team working together during the show.
Overall a very well-organized event and worth the trip.
