Location: Langley AFB
Date: April 27-29, 2007
Story by: Rich Kolasa
Photography by: Rich Kolasa

The final weekend of April brought challenging weather conditions, but the First Fighter Wing at Langley AFB overcame that obstacle and once again put on a superb early-season airshow. Highlighting the show was the most eagerly-awaited airshow “act” in a long time, the F-22 Raptor demonstration. No one seemed disappointed after the weekend had drawn to a close.

From its unique flight with the Thunderbirds on Friday, to jaw-dropping maneuvering amidst bright blue skies on Sunday, the F-22A stole the show. Not only did the crowd get the “full” demonstration (at least the full demonstration at this point in its career), but they also got numerous low approaches by a pair 94th Fighter Squadron Raptors during the customary four-ship demonstration at Langley, which for the second year was shared with a pair of F-15Cs.

This wasn’t a one-trick pony of an airshow, however. Flying was continuous from 10am until the Thunderbirds 4pm closing of the show. A bonus was had for those who stayed around on Saturday, as Patty Wagstaff took advantage of some “aerobatic box” time in Jim Beasley’s P-51 “Bald Eagle”.

The schedule was full with military, civilian aerobatic, and warbirds performers. Besides the Langley-dwelling Raptors and Eagles, the audience was treated to the Thunderbirds six F-16s, the Navy’s Super Hornet demonstration team, the A-10 West team, the F-15C demo team, the Skytypers six SNJs, Patty Wagstaff with her new paint scheme, Mike Goulian in the Extra 300SHP, the Red Eagles, the “Memphis Belle” B-17 (on Sunday only), Manfred Radius in his glider, and the “E-team” skydivers.

Participating both days also was Steve Oliver’s beautiful Super Chipmunk, Rich’s Incredible Pyro (with the Super Hornet on Saturday, and the A-10 on Sunday),Dan McCue in the Collings Foundation’s “dash 5N” Corsair (also in the Legacy Flight with the Super Hornet), the B-25 “Panchito”, Ed Shipley in the Sabre (and as part of the four-ship Heritage Flight), Sean Carroll in his YAK, Mr. Beasley in the P-51, and the Red Bull BO-105 helicopter.

While Saturday’s crowd seemed larger, it was Sunday that had the superior weather, as the sun broke out from a two-day hibernation at about 10:30 am. Static displays were fairly numerous, though not as abundant as usual at Langley.

All in all, a real good show was put on, and as always, base personnel at Langley were friendly and helpful. Kudos to Airboss Wayne Boggs and announcer Rob Reider, who were their usual superb selves. I’m looking forward to next year already, and hoping for a return of the F-4.

Photo captions left to right: (1) Steve Oliver climbs in his distinctive Super Chipmunk on Sunday morning, just after skies had cleared beautifully. (2) Brilliant morning light illuminates the parked demonstration team aircraft before the gates opened to the public on Saturday. (3) Patty Wagstaff shreds the ribbon during her inverted ribbon cut on Sunday. (4) Patty Wagstaff readies for a flight in Jim Beasley’s P-51 “Bald Eagle” after Saturday’s show. (5) The FA-18F Super Hornet begins a pull at show-right on Sunday. (6) Saturday’s overcast broke slightly for the B-2 Spirit’s fly-bys. (7) The Super Hornet’s dirty pass on Saturday, trailing vapor from the missile rails as Hornets tend to do. (8) A pair of 94th Fighter Squadron Raptors taxi out for their “low-approach” demonstration late Sunday morning.