(Click on any picture below to link to a page about that airshow):

Static Displays in 3-D

I photographed the static displays at the Edwards Air Force Base Open House with two cameras to create stereoscopic pairs. To see the airplanes and helicopters in 3-D, cross your eyes until the two images line up.

Airshow, October 27 - 29, 2006

The Edwards Air Force Base Open House was held over the weekend of October 28-29.

USAF Thunderbirds, October 27 - 28, 2006

The USAF Thunderbirds put on their usual precision flying performance each day of the airshow.

A day next to the main runway at Edwards AFB, October 25, 2006

A media contingent spent several hours photographing the air traffic on the main runway at Edwards Air Force Base on Wednesday, October 25. The air temperature was in the 70s. The wind was blowing 17 miles per hour, gusting to 23 miles per hour.

On September 30, 2006, the Santa Barbara Airport hosted Airport Adventure, a salute to local aviation emergency responders. A number of airplanes, helicopters, and fire trucks were opened up for the public to examine. The show featured flybys of a North American T-28 Trojan and a Grumman F8F Bearcat. Five more T-28 Trojans arrived later in the morning. A Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter demonstrated the retrieval of a crewman as it hovered overhead. A Cessna Citation and a pair of Aerovodochody L-39 Albatrosses made two passes over the airport.

On Sunday, September 10, the 146th Airlift Wing hosted a Family Day Luau. Family members of the guardsmen were treated to a close-up look at a Lockheed C-130E Hercules and a Lockheed-Martin C-130J Hercules operated by the 146th. Two North American B-25 Mitchells, a Grumman F8F Bearcat, a Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat, a North American T-28B Trojan, and a Beech T-34 Mentor made several passes over the airfield and then parked next to the Hercules for the crowd to examine at close range.

The Santa Maria Airport and the Santa Maria Museum of Flight hosted the annual Thunder Over the Valley show over the weekend of August 25 - 26. A highlight of the show was the presence of the Seattle Museum of Flight's Douglas DC-2, which had just been painted in TWA livery by Art Craft. In addition to a variety of warbirds and trainers, there were several military helicopters and McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornets from the U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Air Force.

Many airplanes and helicopters arrived at the Santa Maria Airport on Friday, August 25.

Static displays, Saturday, August 26, 2006.

Flying displays, Saturday, August 26, 2006.

The Camarillo Airport hosted an airshow over the weekend of August 19 - 20. The airshow was sponsored by Chapter 723 of the Experimental Aircraft Association and featured flying performances by the airplanes of the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.

Static Displays.

Flying displays, page 1.

Flying displays, page 2.

Airplanes that participated in the Quiet Birdmen Airshow and Barbecue on Monday, June 12, took off and landed at the Camarillo Airport. The vintage warbirds of the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force were joined by the Curtiss P-40N Warhawk and Douglas SBD Dauntless of the Planes of Fame Museum at Chino, Wayne Getchell's Hawker Sea Fury, and the sole airworthy Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, as well as several aerobatic performers.

The 2006 Van Nuys Rockin' Air Fest marked the end of a forty-six year tradition at the Van Nuys Airport. New hangars will be constructed on the area where the airshows have been held. Several of the aircraft that appeared at the Air Fest departed or were towed to their usual parking places on Monday, June 12.

The 2006 Chino warbird airshow really stood out for the number of long unseen participants that pushed even the Northrop N9M flying wing off the schedule. It featured flights by the Planes of Fame Boeing P-26 Peashooter, Seversky AT-12 trainer version of the P-35, and Bob Odegaard's Goodyear F2G Corsair with an R-4360 twenty-eight cylinder radial engine. Sunday was overcast and much cooler than last year. The cloud deck descended in the afternoon, so that the Air Force General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon frequently disappeared into the clouds during its aerobatic display.

Static Displays

Flying displays page 1: National Anthem Formation, World War I Dog Fight, Goodyear F2G Corsair Aerobatics, and Silver Wings Stearman Biplane Wing Walker.

Flying displays page 2: Pacific Theater Navy Flight

Flying displays page 3: Korean Air War, U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet Tactical Demonstration, and European Theater Flight

Flying displays page 4: Air Power Formation Flight, U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Jet Tactical Demonstration, and Heritage Flight

October 18, 2005: Preparations for the Edwards AFB Open House

On Tuesday, October 18, the Edward Air Force Base Public Affairs Office provided representatives of the media with a glimpse of some of the equipment to be displayed at this weekend's Open House. A 25-year-old Norwegion General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon undergoing European Participating Air Forces (EPAF) mid-life update will be displayed with three different short-range, infra-red seeking missiles. NASA will be showing off Lockheed ER-2, N809NA and one of the presure suits used by the ER-2 pilots.

October 21, 2005: Edwards AFB Airshow Rehearsal

Airplanes scheduled to perform at the Open House rehearsed their flights on Friday, October 21.

October 21, 2005: Static Displays and Arrivals

Static Displays and Arrivals

October 22, 2005: Edwards AFB Airshow

Edwards Air Force Base hosted an Open House over the weekend of October 22-23. During the two-day event, visitors saw new and unique aircraft in the Air Force inventory, and some of the best aerial demonstration pilots performing today. The various demonstrations included Air Force aircraft such as the F/A-22, F-117, F-16, KC-135, C-17, B-1, B-2, several NASA aircraft including the NF-15B, F/A-18A, T-34C and ER-2.

Airshow Page 1

Airshow Page 2

The Camarillo Airport hosted an airshow over the weekend of August 27 - 28, 2005. The airshow was sponsored by Chapter 723 of the Experimental Aircraft Association and featured flying performances by the airplanes of the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.

Once the Oxnard Air Force Base, Camarillo Airport is now the home of over 560 production, homebuilt, and World War II aircraft, as well as active chapters of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

“Chapter 723 of EAA is proud to sponsor this annual event,” says Larry Beckett, air show chair. “The Air Show is our way of sharing with Southern California families the fun, diversity, and contribution of aviation.”

Friday, August 26, Arrival day.

Saturday, August 27

Sunday, August 28

The Hawthorne Airport hosted an Air Faire on Saturday, August 13. A host of vintage airplanes and warbirds flew in on Friday afternoon to be placed on display.

The Santa Paula Airport hosted a two day Airfair over the weekend of August 6 - 7, as America's favorite small town airport turned 75. The airport is home to a great variety of vintage airplanes and many more flew in for the airfair.

The 2005 Chino warbird airshow featured five flying Republic P-47 Thundebolts. The airshow was blessed with the bluest skies in years. It was also the hottest it has been in years. Temperatures climbed to over 100 degrees F on the flightline.

Static displays

Flying displays, page 1: P-51D Mustang Rides, Missing Man formation, Tumbling Bear, Silver Wings Wing Walking, Northrop N9MB Flying Wing, Victory Over Japan - Navy Flight, Korean Air War, Tailhook Legacy Flight.

Flying displays, page 2: FIVE P-47 Thunderbolts!, U. S. Air Force Heritage Flight, Victory Over Europe, Doolittle Raiders, Air Power Formation Flight.

Page 1: Static displays and arrivals.

Page 2: Flight performances.

Vandenberg Air Force Base hosted an airshow over Halloween weekend. The weather was sunny, breezy, and cool. The show featured a peformance by the new Raytheon T-6A Texan II.

Page 1

Page 2

The Canadian Snowbirds appeared at the Kern County Airshow for the second year in a row. They flew an 8-ship show because the pilot of #5 was under the weather. They fly a show that is distinctly different from the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds with some very complicated formation changes.

Douglas DC-3, N101KC Rose of Dream Flight carried passengers on aerial tours from the Inyokern Airport during the Kern County Airshow on Wednesday, October 6, 2004. The flights provided spectacular views of the China Lake Valley and the Sierra Nevada.

The Kern County Airshow was held at the Inyokern Airport on Wednesday October 6, 2004. It featured several aerobatic performances, visits by an AV-8B Harrier and an F/A-18F Super Hornet of VX-9 based at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, a B-52 Stratofortress from the 412th Test Wing based at Edwards Air Force Base, and an Israeli Aircraft Industries Kfir. The Canadian Snowbirds appeared at the Kern County Airshow for the second year in a row.

On Saturday, September 25 the Santa Barbara Airport hosted the bi-annual "A Day at the Airport." This event offered a host of aviation-related activities for all ages.

Here's a survey of the wide variety of general aviation and regional airline airplanes that flew into the Santa Barbara Airport the day before the event.

Humid conditions resulted in impressive vapor condensation in the low pressure around the fast and maneuvering jets at the 2004 Pt Mugu airshow.

Static displays at the 2004 Pt Mugu airshow.

The annual Camarillo airshow was held on August 28 and 29, 2004. It featured the aircraft of the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and Chapter 723 of the Experimental Aircraft Association. Celebrating its 24th year, the 2004 show pays tribute to more than 60 years of history and growth of the Camarillo Airport.

Warbirds

Transports, Trainers, and Liaison

General Aviation

A variety of vintage airplanes arrived at Hawthorne Municipal Airport on Friday the thirteenth for the Air Faire that was held on Saturday, August 14.

Static Displays

Page 1

Most of the airplanes that participated in the airshow were parked in two rows along the flightline.

Page 2 is a walk along the airplanes parked in the row on the right.

Page 3 is a walk along the airplanes parked in the row on the left.

Flying Displays

Page 1: Missing Man Formation and Silver Wings Stearman Biplane Wing Walking Act.

Page 2: D-Day Invasion Aircraft Display with Mustangs, Spitfires, P-47 Thunderbolt, Hurricane, and Avenger.

Page 3: Northrop N9M Flying Wing Performance by Ron Hackworth and Korean Air War F-86 Sabre and MiG-15 Tail Chase.

Page 4: Navy Flight SBD Dauntless, FM-2 Wildcat, F4F Hellcat, F7F Tigercat, F8F Bearcat, A-1 Skyraider, F4U Corsair, and Sea Fury.

Page 5: Pacific Air Battle FM-2 Wildcats, Zeros and P-38 Lightning and British Fighter Aerobatics Display.

Page 6: Air Power Formation Flight - Massive Gaggle of Warbirds and United States Air Force F-16 Viper Tactical Demonstration.

The Edwards Air Force Base Open House was held the weekend of October 25-26. During the two-day event, visitors saw new and unique aircraft in the Air Force inventory, and some of the best aerial demonstration pilots and teams performing today. The various demonstrations included Air Force aircraft such as the F/A-22, F-117, F-16, KC-135, C-17, B-1, which set 52 official world records, B-2, as well as NASA aircraft among others. This was also a once-a-year opportunity for taxpayers to see the kind of equipment they buy for the Air Force, and the abilities of the people who test, fly and maintain this equipment.

I spent three days shooting at Edwards AFB. On Wednesday, October 22, I shot the military rehearsals from the media site next to the runway.

Rehearsal, October 22, Page 1

Rehearsal, October 22, Page 2

On Friday, October 24, I shot the arrival of the U. S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the static display aircraft on the main flightline.

Static Displays, October 24

On Saturday, October 25, I shot the airshow from the media site next to the runway.

Airshow, October 25, Page 1

Airshow, October 25, Page 2

The Miramar MCAS Airshow was held from October 17 to 19, 2003. It featured two Stealth Fighter demonstrations, three VTOL Harrier demonstrations, a MAGTF demonstration, and lots of aerobatic performances, including the Red Baron Pizza team and the U. S. Navy Blue Angels.

2003 Miramar MCAS Airshow Flying Displays - Page 1

2003 Miramar MCAS Airshow Flying Displays - Page 2.

2003 Miramar MCAS Airshow Static Displays Page 1 - Combat Aircraft.

2003 Miramar MCAS Airshow Static Displays Page 2 - Transports, Tankers, Helicopters, Trainers, Electronics warfare aircraft.

2003 Miramar MCAS Airshow Static Displays Page 3 - Vintage Aircraft.

The Kern County Airshow was held at the Inyokern Airport on October 1, 2003.

Page 1 of the Kern County Airshow display features hot air balloons, several aerobatic performances, visits by an AV-8B Harrier and a pair of F/A-18E Super Hornets from VX-9 based at China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, an F-15 Eagle from the 412th Test Wing based at Edwards Air Force Base and an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-2 based at Lemoore Naval Air Station.

Page 2 of the 2003 Kern County Airshow display features the performance of the Canadian Snowbirds. It was one of only two airshows that they attended in California in 2003.

The Camarillo Airshow celebrated a centennial of flight the weekend of August 23 - 24, 2003. The show featured the airplanes of the Southern California Wing of the CAF and many Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-ins.

Static Displays at the 2003 Camarillo Airshow.

Flying displays at the 2003 Camarillo Airshow

A variety of vintage airplanes arrived at Hawthorne Municipal Airport on Friday August 15 for the Air and Auto Power Show on Saturday August 16. Click to see pictures of the airplanes arriving at Hawthorne.

After a one year hiatus, the Edwards AFB Open House returned on October 26, 2002 with several novel aircraft making their first public appearance and an action packed flying display.

Static Displays of the 2002 Edwards Air Force Base Open House.

Flying Displays of the 2002 Edwards Air Force Base Open House.

Camarillo hosted an airshow on August 11, 2002. It featured the aircraft of the southern California Wing of the Air Force formerly known as Confederate and the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Page 1 of the 2002 Camarillo EAA Fly-in

Page 2 of the 2002 Camarillo EAA Fly-in on August 11, 2002

The Ramona Air Fair was held over the weekend of June 1-2, 2002

The last airshow at Pt Mugu Naval Air Station was held on April 19 and 20, 2002. It featured the aircraft of the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-30.

Chino Planes of Fame Air Museum, October 6, 2001 warbird special event. Airplanes flown included several Mustangs, two Corsairs, a pair of Thunderbolts, two Mitchells, two Hellcats, a Bearcat, two Warhawks, a Zero, a Northrop flying wing, a Super Hornet and the rest.

More pictures from the Chino Planes of Fame Air Museum, October 6, 2001 warbird special event.

The Camarillo Experimental Aircraft Association Fly-in on August 25, 2001 featured so many different kinds of airplanes, that I had to make three pages to hold them all:

Transports, airliners and general aviation aircraft at the fly-in.

Training aircraft at the fly-in.

Combat aircraft at the fly-in.

Van Nuys departure Day, Monday June 25, 2001

Van Nuys arrival day, Friday June 22, 2001

The Edwards Air Force Base 2000 Open House was held on October 21.

Planes of Fame Air Museum Warbirds special event, Chino, California, October 8, 2000. Airplanes flown included Mustangs, a Corsair, a pair of Thunderbolts, two Mitchells, a Hellcat, a Bearcat, four Warhawks, a Zero, a Northrop flying wing, and the rest.

Van Nuys arrival day, Friday June 23, 2000

Go to static displays of the Edwards AFB 1999 Airshow.

Go to Saturday flight demonstrations of the Edwards AFB 1999 Airshow.

Go to Sunday flight demonstrations of the Edwards AFB 1999 Airshow.

The Chino warbird show of 1999.

Introducing 3-D displays at the Goleta Air & Space Museum!

The pictures of the static displays at the 1998 Edwards AFB Open House Display can be viewed in 3-D.

The flying displays included the usual assortment of novel formation fly-bys.

My father, Richard Lockett, attended the Edwards Air Force Base Open House in 1959, 1960, and 1961. The North American X-15 rocket planes were making their initial public appearances. Bare metal and Day-Glo was featured on many of the airplanes.

Lonny's Southern California Airshow Page has a list of airshow dates.

Steve Holzinger covers airshows, primarily on the East Coast, at Steve's Airshow World. The main goal of Steve's Airshow World is to provide you, the viewer, with photographs, snaps, clips, and reviews of airshows that he has attended over the years.

The 1999 Abbotsford Airshow will be held August 6th through 8th.

AeroWorldNet Online presents MAKS'97 Coverage. Check out the business conducted at the 1997 Moscow Airshow.

Aviation Enthusiasts Corner has a page listing California airshow dates.

Send a message to Brian.