Horizons Online Edition

Issue date: 10/13/06 Section: News

The Defenders of the Sky Prescott Air Show of 2006 had its ups and downs. The gates opened at 8:00 a.m. with free parking on the Embry-Riddle side of the airport where drivers could take the shuttle to the entrance and ten dollar parking was located on the flightline. There wasn't much to do right away unless you took advantage of the five dollar pancake breakfast that's held every year.

At 9:00 a.m. Lt. Col. Joe Forster and Major Ralph Wandrey held a question and answer session in the North-Aire Hanger. They both flew the P-38 Lightning during WWII in the Pacific Theater. Then at 10:00 a.m. there was a question and answer session from the Tuskegee Airmen sponsored by Embry-Riddle.

The static displays were few and after 9:30 a.m. surrounded by people so it was hard to get a picture. "It wasn't super crowded," said air show volunteer Michelle Jensen also an AS Junior, "people were still able to get around."

A few planes on display were the Mitsubishi Zero, Supermarine Spitfire, P-38 Lightning "Skidoo" and the P-40 Warhawk all from Chino Valley, California. Other WWII planes present were the TBM Avenger and the B-25 Mitchell "Barbie III." There was also an F-18 Hornet on display but it failed to make an appearance in the sky.

Just after 11:00 a.m. the Misty Blues All Women Parachute Team started off the show with the National Anthem and a jump with the American Flag. Shortly after, Bill Cornick went up in his shiny green and white Pitts S2-C to show off why he is the "Grandfather of Aerobatics."

Then there was a break in flying during which visitors visited the vendors and other booths that were available.

All the armed services were represented. Participants could do pull-ups at the Marine booth to win prizes from shirts to lanyards depending on how many pull-ups were done. The Navy truck had the most to offer, handing out stress balls, pens, posters and stickers. The National Guard tent was putting together a poster for visitors to sign for a unit that was going to deploy to Afghanistan in the next month.



Along air show center the food vendors passed out samples and offered a variety of different food. The Taj Mahal, located in down town Prescott, offered their unique cuisine. But for those old fashioned air show visitors there was also hotdogs, bar-b-que sandwiches, kettle corn, and snow cones with over ten flavors. "They should have spread the food out because it was all down at one end," said AE freshmen Matt Bender who also volunteered at the air show for Rugby. "Maybe they should put up signs next time so people can find it."

The T-6 Texans flew around 12:00 p.m. due to some mechanical problems with the P-38 so the war birds were delayed. Steve Cowell has restored the T-6 Texans to its original paint scheme and markings. Cowell then demonstrated some basic maneuvers Tuskegee Airmen used during WWII.

Next the T-28 Trojan and the Sky Raider from WWII and the Vietnam era flew and demonstrated some simulated bombing runs. The pyro-techniques were cut short when some of the field caught on fire and the Prescott Fire Department was called to put the flames out.

Around 2:00 p.m. Tim Weber showed his stuff in the Geico Extra 300 along with music he wrote and performed. This exciting mid-wing aircraft went up to speeds of 300 horsepower and showed many demanding maneuvers that only experienced pilots could perform.

Then the war birds taxied out onto the runway to demonstrate the history and glory of WWII. The Zero and the P-38 Lighting faced off to show what Americans were up against during WWII. The Zero was an unmatchable foe at the beginning of the war due to its range, turn radius, and rate of climb that was unmatchable by the U.S. The Zero present at the Prescott Air Show was one of only three flying in the world today. The P-40 Warhawk and the Spitfire also accompanied the planes from the Pacific Theatre for a very unique heritage flight.

When asked what they thought of the air show a few students were disappointed. "I thought it was lame because they get your hopes up every year with F-15s and F-18s, but there's just some guy flying a T-6," said AE senior Chris Harris. "The P-38 was cool though and worth going just for that."

Jacob Forst volunteered at the air show with Air Force ROTC and said, "The war birds were cool but not enough to carry the whole air show. They needed some jets."

Nathaniel Roland a new student this year was also not impressed. "For an air show there should have been more flying."

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