After a one-year hiatus, the Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival roared back with the help of the Navy Blue Angels and an All-Star cast of performers.  The paying crowd assembled at the gate and maintained a cordial, home-town atmosphere throughout the event.  Visitors from across Missouri and surrounding areas gathered to enjoy the performances and displays in a relaxed, Midwestern style.

  The Navy Blue Angels were the headliner this year after an 18-year absence.  Other military performers included A-10 East Coast Demo Team and Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and military aircraft such as C-130, EA-6B, T-45 and A-10 were available for close inspection by the curious crowds.   Displays and performances by Commemorative Air Force and other warbirds were also very popular.  Warbirds on display included 2 B-25s, B-17, FG-1 Corsair, SNJ Texan, TBM Avenger, C-47, P-51, Skyraider and Cold War L-29 Delfin trainer. 

  The Army Golden Knights opened the morning and afternoon flying segments with their formation parachute display.  Warbird performances followed, with B-25s “Show Me” and “Miss Mitchell” simulating the Tokyo Raiders attack on Japan in 1942.  Chris Avery demonstrated to power of the FG-1D Corsair, and Vlado Lenoch impressed the crowd with his graceful Mustang routine and Heritage Flight with the A-10.  Civilian acts included Melissa Pemberton in her Edge 540, Skip Stewart in Pitts S-2S, Melissa and Skip together in Tin Stix routine, Mike Rinker in his Sukhoi and Kyle and Amanda Franklin with their Pirated Skies act.  Team RV flew in formations of up to 12 aircraft.  The Blue Angels were the natural closer, providing an “interactive” performance that included more over crowd passes and spectacular break maneuvers than in past years.