Greater Binghamton Airshow Binghamton, NY July 4-5, 2009

Photography and brief by Jim Deveney

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  The Greater Binghamton Airport threw a party this year on our nation’s birthday that was attended by 55,000 of its neighbors & airshow fans.  The airshow happened thanks to presenting sponsors Newman Development Group, LLC & Giant Food Markets. There were also numerous other smaller sponsors that helped this great event happen.  The 2009 version of the Greater Binghamton Airshow was produced by David Schultz Airshows, LLC.  The very busy crew from DSA expertly kept this show going at a very nice pace.  From skydivers to aerobatic planes, formation flying, military jet demonstrations, a military jet team, warbirds, and even a wingwalker, this show featured something for everyone.  There was even commercial aircraft that would arrive or depart during the show which added yet another element of aviation to this event.

 

  This year, it was understood that the show had been scaled back a bit due to the economy, but heck if I noticed!  The airshow started off each day with a flag jump by the U.S. Army Golden Knights with the playing of the National Anthem.  Once that jumper reached the ground, the Golden Knights performed their mass jump, always exciting to watch as the group executes a big bomb burst in the skies over Binghamton.  The Golden Knights would perform another mass jump later in the show.  The Firebirds XTreme Team would then take to the skies showing a series of formation, opposing, and solo maneuvers to the delight of the crowd. The Firebirds are piloted by team leader Jack Knutson in his Extra 300, who would do double duty performing a solo act later on in the show.  Jack’s wingman is 2008 World Advanced Aerobatic Champion Rob Holland in his MX2, who would do triple duty during the show performing solo & piloting the Stearman for Third Strike Wingwalking featuring wingwalker Carol Pilon.
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  Matt Chapman dazzled the crowd in his Eagle 580 sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Acronut Aerosports was on hand as Kendal Simpson flew a crisp aerobatic demonstration in his Pitts S2S.  The MAAM’s B-25 Briefing Time brought the sounds of round to the New York skies making a series of passes in this big ole warbird.  Don “Beetle” Bailey peformed aerobatics in his white L-29 Delphin jet trainer.  Lockheed Martin displayed the K-Max helicopter to the Sunday audience.  The K-Max has the capability of being flown unmanned by satellite, but was manned for the demonstration at Binghamton.  The USAF was on hand with the F-16CJ West Coast Demo Team out of Hill AFB, Utah flown by Elmira, New York native Maj. David Graham.  The USMC was also on hand with the AV-8B Harrier II East Coast Demonstration Team out of MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina.

 

  The highlight of the show was the U.S. Navy Blue Angels based out of NAS Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida. Fat Albert, the Blue Angels C-130 support plane, performed a JATO shot on Saturday for the 4th of July.  This was one of the last JATO shots ever as the team was reported to only have enough JATO bottles left for 5 shots in 2009.  What an honor and how fitting was it, for the Blue Angels to perform on of their final JATO shots ever on our nations birthday.  Last but never least, the Blue Angels pilots mounted their 6 blue & gold F/A-18’s for their first ever visit to Binghamton, New York.  Judging how excited the crowd was as the Blues graced the New York skies, I don’t think it will be their last visit. HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!