2009 Air Shows |
|
Location: Nellis
Air Force Base, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. |
Admission: Free |
Parking: Free |
| Value: Very
Good |
| |
The
Nellis AFB Air Show, located in the north east part of Las
Vegas and it is the home of The Thunderbirds.
|
The lofty
name Aviation Nation, applied to the Air show held at Nellis Air
Force Base (AFB) near Las Vegas, Nevada conjures up high expectations
for this air show aficionado. It is becoming the norm that many air
shows can seemingly over promise. So it was with some trepidation
that I attended Aviation Nation 2009. The announced line up seemed
a touch weak for one of the world’s
greatest airbases. After all, with the diversity of aircraft from
the based 57th Wing, the makings of a superb show is always possible.
|
It is best to get up very early and drive to the
Las Vegas Motor Speedway where parking is free. Line ups for the
shuttle buses to the base start before 800 am so you could be in
a long line up. You also have to go through security screening which
also takes some time. I thought there should have been signs indicating
that you were in the correct place for air show parking although
it is a bit intuitive once you get off of the highway (I 15 North)
for Speedway Boulevard. The static display was relatively sparse
in my opinion and is highlighted by the long ramp space. Put on you
walking shoes. I would have liked to have seen more units’ attend
from other bases. Most USAF flying assets are based at Nellis and
at least one was displayed. Some people would say this was good enough.
However, I like seeing the diversity of squadrons from other bases
and services attend.
|
The flying events were generally as advertised. Top billing was
of course the F-22 Raptor demo team and the F-18 Super Hornet.
The Dutch F-16 demo team added an international flair to the line
up.
|
For
a complete in depth review please download The
Magazine by clicking here. |
If you have
to attend a show and appease your other half or those friends that
just aren’t “into it” what better place to bring
them to but Las Vegas. Let them gamble or shop while you attend the
show. There is ample time to get together and do other things during
your few days in Vegas. Flights are plentiful to “sin city” and
there is no shortage of hotel deals these days for every budget.
Car rental is inexpensive and access to the base is only a short
drive north of the Las Vegas “strip”. That’s why
Nellis has the potential to host the “Mother of All Air Shows” one
of these days. Here’s to dreaming and a future T-38 demo team
at the next show.
|
A special thank-you to the Nellis AFB Public Affairs Office and
Airman Whitney.
|
|
Some of the Teams and warbirds participating were:
- The Thunderbirds
- The Horsemen
- Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Demo Team
- A-10
- F-86
- P-38
- MiG 17
- F-4 Phantom
- Patriots L-39 Team
- and many others.
|
Rating:
8.0 out of 10 |
|
| |
|
|
|
Review and photos by Ajay Soni. |
© 2009 www.airshowsreview.com All Rights Reserved. |
All trade names, trademarks and manufacturer names are the property of their respective owners. |
