Dates
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Admission
| Adult: | TBD |
| Couples: | TBD |
| Kids 11-16: | TBD |
| Kids 0-10: | Free with an adult admission |
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Excitement In The Air
"Best all around show I've seen!"
-- Prior year exit survey comment
Morning Fly-bys
The morning of the Air Expo gives attendees the chance to see a variety of experimental aircraft in flight. Starting at 9:00 AM both Saturday and Sunday, you will enjoy a range of ultralight and homebuilt aircraft. An announcer will provide you details and exciting commentary on each aircraft.
Air Expo Performers
This year dozens of aircraft take to the skies during the air expo, both Saturday and Sunday. These planes are privately owned and maintained. Many are flown by the owner pilot. This is a rare chance to see so many beautifully maintained aircraft flying.
Here are a few highlights:
A C53, a PT-22, and an L-2 from the Commemorative Air Force at Riverside will perform flybys. Also, Michael Knick from Paso Robles will fly his L-4A for the crowd. Two B-25s will fly past the crowd, one named Heavenly Body will come over from Van Nuys. The other B-25, a J model is owned by the American Aeronautical Foundation. This B25J, named "Executive Sweet" is based here at Camarillo. In addition to flying for the crowd, this beautifully restored and maintained bomber will be available for viewing on the ground. A rare Scottish Bulldog will be flown by its owner Luke Solutt. Our local air show performer, John Collver, will fly his SNJ which he has previously flown in aerobatic routines here at Camarillo. The Planes of Fame museum will fly their F-4U Corsair and their P-40 Tomahawk. The Commemorative Air Force, So. Cal Wing will fly a PT-19. The Ventura County Sheriff's department will fly a Bell 206 and do a water drop in front of the crowd.
Three, sets of formation flights are planned. In order to safely be accomplished, formation flying requires both special skill and talent, as well as a significant amount of practice and training. We are lucky to have three sets of formation fliers and flights. Three CJ-6 aircraft will do a formation fly by flown by their owners, Ernie Richar, Ron Lee, and Doug Zeisner. There will also be a formation flight of Navions flown by Dave Vanoni, David Swett, Thom Polizzi, and Kurt Young. The Navion has a proud history of military usage as well as now civilian use. The famous Condor Squadron will wow the crowd when they fly not one, not two, not 3, but 8 (that's right eight) of their AT-6 aircraft in formation. It will be a great sight to see and hear all 8 of these AT-6 aircraft thunder past the crowd in close formation.
As you have probably read, remote control aircraft are deployed to Iraq. Two remote contol pilots will demonstrated some of the capabilities of remote controlled aircraft. Torrey Ward will demonstrate his remote controlled jet model aircraft. This amazing little plane is always a crowd pleaser. Also, a new addition this year, Tim Jones plans to fly his remote control Helicopter model. It will be exciting to see all the maneuvers that can be accomplished by a remote control helicopter.
Torrey Ward will also fly his Glassair III. The Glassair III is a rather high performance experimental aircraft admired by many builders. We are fortunate to have 2 of these beautiful planes with Peter Broen of Torrance fliing his Glassair III also.
There will also be a CJ-6 flown by Tom Watson, a P-51 flown by Paul Besterveid, a Legend flown by Dan Grey, a T-28 flown by Mark Matye, The Commemorative Air Force, So. CA Wing will fly a Japanese Zero (pilot Jason Somes) and two former US Navy warbirds: the F6F Hellcat, and the F8F Bearcat.
Roger Orr will fly the rare Howard antique aircraft; Clay Lacy will fly his F9F Tigercat, also a former Navy warbird. Mark Martin will fly his Russian Yak-52 and his Yak-55; Two Yak-52s from Santa Paula will be flown respectively by Joe Landsden and George Lasik, Gary Entrekin will fly his beautifully restored WACO. Two former Air Force training planes will be flown, one by Mark Russell who will fly his T-34B, and the other by Greg Weitzman who will fly a T-28A. A Ryan STA will be flown by Gary Jackson; Chris Nehus and Angelo Regina will each fly a PT-22. Joseph Shepard from Santa Paula will fly his Lockheed L-12A. Vicki Cruise will fly her EDGE. Stephanie 'fussell will fly her T-34B. Andy Gemello with fly the O-2A another rather unique airvraft as you will see when it flies. Tom Hastings will fly the Cirrus VK-3. The Yanks Museum will bring their Lockheed L-12A and fly it during the expo. Rudy Salam will brinf his Fleet Bi-Plane from VAn Nuys and fly it for the crorwds viewing plesure. A classic Howard is also scheduled to be flown.
Another rare treat will be the opportunity to see the DeHaviland DH80 Commet fly in from its home base at Flabob Airport down by Riverside. Pilot Robin Reed will be around the plane while it is on display to explain some of its unique features. This historic plane was created by DeHaviland for long distance flights between England and places such as Australia. Be sure to stop by and look at it.
Since the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 723, is heavily involved helping people to learn about building and flying experimental aircraft, a number of excellent examples of experimental aircraft will be flown during the Air Expo. Two of the leaders of the EAA Chapter 723, Don Miller will fly his own RV-6 and Norm Hall will fly the RV-6a. Ed Hollinger will fly his hand crafted S-51. The S-51 is a slightly reduced P-51. Denis Conkey and Jim Thompson will fly their beautiful Lancair 360 experimental aircraft. Jim Griffen will fly his Venture experimental airplae. Richard Van Vleet will fly his Quickie 2, The Quickie 2 is one of the smaller sized planes shown but quite fast due to its rather unique design.
Both the US Army and the US Coast Guard will be bringing helicopters. The Army will fly the famous UH-60 Blackhawk and a UH-1 Huey. Both will be on display for people to look at up close and any young men or women who want to learn to fly those helicopters will have a chance to talk to the Army recruiters who will explain the programs available. The Coast Guard will fly their Helo and have it on display for people to look as up close. There will also be Coast Guard personnel who will be pleased to discuss flying careers in the Coast Guard.
For those people who want to see brand new planes flying, there will be an Eclypse Jet flown by John Deakin that will be parked for close up viewing after its flight. Channel Islands Aviation (CIA) pilots will fly the new Cessna Mustang for the crowd to view. It will also be on display for close up viewing. Representatives of both these new aircraft will be available to explain the aircraft and their features.
Airplane Rides
Your Air Expo program will show the location of the beautiful aircraft that will be available for rides on Saturday and Sunday. Check out their prices and schedules early, so you can fit this into your day.
A favorite from last year is the Beech 18 (also called the C-45) which will be flown by pilot Taigh Ramey. This is a very popular plane and Taigh gives the passengers a good ride. You get to see the expo from the air as well as view the Camarillo area.
If you always wanted to fly in a warbird or wartime pilot training plane, the Commemorative Air Force, So. CA Wing will be giving rides for a fee in the PT-19 and AT-6. This might be one of the last opportunities to fly what the WWII aviators flew.
There will be helicoptor rides for a fee available with Platium Helicopters in a`Bell Jet ranger. A great flight experience for all those wanting to fly in a helicopter.
You'll receive an Air Expo program at the gate that indicates the locations for all of these special attractions.