The Great Georgia Airshow 2008 Media Day

  This day is dedicated for the media and sponsors of the show.   Although things are still being set up it is still a great way to get up close and personal with all who put on the show as well as the performers.  I love this show for so many reasons.  I have become friends with several of the key players so being at Falcon Field in Ga. is almost like coming to a family reunion. 

  I met up with my good buddies Carl Wilcox and Chris Buff.  Nothing like being at an airshow with good friends that have the same passion as you do. 

  The day started out with warm temps and low clouds.  By noon the cloud deck had lifted high enough for the practices show to go on.  We got a media ride with the Berlin Airlift C-54 recreating the “candy bomb drop” it was so famous for.  Lots of fun riding on a 4 engine radial monster.  Noisy at first but as we leveled off after taking to the air things got very comfortable.  This bird drinks down 400 gals an hour at takeoff and climb-out.  Cruise can be pulled back to a wallet breaking 200 gals an hour.  I must say I have been flying all my life but this is the biggest plane I have every flown in.  The plane is actually a traveling museum and as we flew around I took in all the small exhibits through out the plane. 

  Once we got back down we watched as more of the performers arrived.  The East Coast F-18 demo team was already there but did fly later during practice.  Greg Koontz was there with his Alabama Boys.  This act is always great to see but to talk to these guys in a casual atmosphere is the best to me.  The gun wilding Grand Pa is always full of fun.  Make it a point the next time you see them at a show to go say hey.  Probably the most approachable group of guys you will ever meet.  Hey guys, watch your dates around Grand Pa, he is a charmer.

  The Aeroshell Team arrived and started some of the media flights right after the opening candy bomb drop.  These guys are also another great group.  Some of the other    performers were the Sky Soldiers in their 4 ship Cobras, Jason Newburg in his new Pitts called Viper, Red Eagle Air Sports, Neal Darnell and his lovely wife Marilyn with their Flash Fire Jet Truck, Kent Gorton in his Extra 300, F-16 East Coast Demo team, Silver Wings jump team from Fort Benning Ga., Steve and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver in their Chipmunk Sky Dancer and the CAF Dixie Wing that is located right on the field had all their warbird beauties out flying for all of us to enjoy.

  This day is not the norm for an airshow day.  Tents going up and PA towers being erected seem to be going on all around.  I thoroughly enjoyed rubbing elbows with some of the best in the airshow business.  I say “Thank You” to all those who put this show on.  A special thanks to the hundreds of volunteers.  A lot of you are never seen but your hard work is greatly appreciated.  My hats off to you.