Location: Teterboro Airport, NJ

Admission: $12 for adults, $7 for seniors and children under 12, FREE for kids under 3, active duty military personnel and veterans.

Parking: Free

When one thinks of air shows, it is easy to conjure up images of fast and exotic aircraft filling the skies and the display area, thousands of spectators lining the flight line and pyrotechnics booming. While that description is certainly apt for many popular air shows, one would be remiss to ignore the charm and joy that the many small air shows that occur throughout the season have to offer. One such show is the Wings and Wheels Expo held each year at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey.

Just miles from Manhattan, Teterboro is a busy private airport that is home to many sleek Gulfstream and Bombardier jets. It is also home to the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum and each year the museum hosts the Expo on the ramp of the airport. While aircraft attendance can vary from year to year, this year’s show showcased two special treats. An F/A-18C Hornet from adversary squadron VFC-12 “Fighting Omars” and an E-2C Hawkeye from VAW-77 “Nightwolves.” Interestingly, the Nightwolves are the US Navy’s only dedicated anti-narcotics squadron. Also in attendance were the Navy’s newest trainer, the T-6 Texan II, an F4U Corsair, a B-25 Mitchell (“Miss Hap”), a beautiful Lockheed Model 10 Electra and a staple of the Expo, the B-17 “Yankee Lady.” There were also over 25 classic cars in attendance, ranging from the original Corvette to the Batmobile.

While there isn’t much traditional flying at the Expo (the B-17 provides regular flights for those willing to pay for a spot), it is worth noting that the airspace in and around Teterboro is extremely busy and is a plane spotting heaven. With the Empire State Building and steadily rising Freedom Tower providing the backdrop, private jets and other aircraft are constantly taking off, landing and taxiing just yards from the Expo.

Inside the nearby hangar, vendors have military memorabilia and other interesting information. There was also a stage set up for performances by the “Victory Belles” and (of course), an Elvis impersonator. Veterans are usually in attendance and this year’s show was no exception. Russ Gackenback who was the navigator on the Enola Gay’s atomic missions over Japan spoke both days of the Expo.

Food and drinks are available and cost what one would expect at an air show. The real charm of this show is the variety of aircraft they manage to assemble in a small and intimate setting, the lack of big crowds and the ability to be among the action of a vibrant and busy private airport. If you live in the area or are traveling through, this small show, or any small local show for that matter, is highly recommended.