The Fort Worth Alliance Airshow was held in Fort Worth, Texas on Oct 11 and 12, 2008. I have to admit that I had really been looking forward to this airshow. I wasn't dissappointed in the least. They outdid themselves, folks.

  The static displays were very impressive. American Airlines brought in a beautiful Boeing 777 that was opened up for folks to go thru. There was also a Fed Ex Airbus 330 on the tarmac that also attracted a great deal of interest. The military side included several F-16 Vipers, A-10 Warthogs, F/A-18 Hornets (including a Canadian CF-18 from Cold Lake, Alberta) AH-64 Apaches, a B-52 Buff, KC-10 Extender, T-45 Goshawk, T-1 Jayhawk, T-6A Texan II, Marine AH-1W Cobras plus two T-38 Talons. Lockheed Martin brought a mock up of the F-35 Lightning as well. This is the future of tactical aviation and very impressive.Warbirds included a Douglas A-1E Skyraider, P-40 Warhawk, OV-1 Mohawk, UH-1 Huey and F8F Bearcat. A pretty neat sampling, I must say.

  Before I mention the flying display, I have to thank Dave Pelltier and Hope Bell for their hospitality. They both a lot a running around to do trying to tie up the loose ends that often happen a any airshow. Their endurance is something to admire as they had to deal with a multitude of demands.

  The flying is what being an airshow is all about. First off, came Ken Sockley and his nice and loud Peterbuilt Shockwave jet truck going down the runway. Following that was great flying by John MacGuire. What an inspiration for someone like John to be paralyzed but refusing to be told there is a thing called handicaps. Hey, Hollywood, how about filming a story like this? Texan and great guy Randy Ball followed in his Russain MiG-17. This is a man who knows about good flying. Legend Gene Soucy followed in the Showcat and took the audience back to the barnstorming days of the 20s.

  The Army Golden Knights then showed the mastery of the parachute. Amazing sure describes them. Greg Poe and the Ethanol Edge showed folks what tight aerobatics is all about. The Cavanaugh warbirds did a flyby with the A-1E, OV-1, TBM Avenger, and P-40 Warhawk. Dallas native and all around good guy Jan Collmer put his EXTRA 300L thru its paces. Folks, he never fails to impress. Another impressive fellow is class Canadian Manfred Radius showing everyone why he is one of the great glider pilots. His Aerobatic glider is poetry in motion with graceful showmanship. Gene Soucy then came up but this time he had the elegant Teresa Stokes as his wingwalker. Are they goog or are they good? Yes, indeed. The Air Force then showed off an F-15 Eagle and its is easy to see why it is still in production and is a very lethal plane. This Eglin based fighter was nice and loud! The F-15 did a legacy flight with a P-40 Warhawk flown by retired Navy Captain Dale "Snort" Snodgrass, the high time Navy F-14 Tomcat pilot. High energy aerobatics was showcased by John Klatt flying the Staudacher S-300D. He is also an F-16 pilot with the Minnesota Air National Guard in Duluth.. John than had a race with the Shockwave truck. It's never dull seeing a plane race a truck! Dazzling tumbling aeronautics were than showcased by Mike Goulan flying the Castrol Aviator Extra. My favorite routine followed as the roar of two TF414 Turbofans trust an F/A-18F Super Hornet in the air. This Ocaena based bird was more wonderful loud noise and VFA-106 can show what this birds can do aerobatically wise. David Marin than did more fine aerobatics in the Breitling CAP232.

  Of course, the finale was another great showing of the US Air Force Thunderbirds. Even after flying the F16 Viper for the past 25 years, they still inspire with their high grade professionalism. For the 2009 season, the Thunderbirds will convert to the F-16C block 52, which is the most advanced F-16 variant in the USAF.

  If you want to see athletes in action, I would have to say these folks at flew at Allaince show that. All of these flyers put their heart and soul into getting better all the time. Allaince, you did yourselves proud. This was a great one. Special thanks to Dave Pelltier and Hope Bell. Thanks for your help.