Acts Include Golden Knights, Tumbling Bear

by ANN Contributor John K. "Janko" Lewis

The NAS Point Mugu airshow was held on Saturday and Sunday. It was estimated that over 50,000 spectators attended during each day of the event. There was an impressive mixture of civilian and military aircraft on display as well as aerobatics, parachute jumps and aerial demonstrations including wing-walking. The U. S. Army was represented by the "Golden Knights" parachute team, the U. S. Navy had aerial demonstrations by an F/A-18 Hornet and E-2C Hawkeye while the U. S. Air Force put an F-15 Eagle through its paces and the California Air National Guard flew their C-130 Hercules for an approving crowd.

Rob Harrison in his Zlin 50LX "Tumbling Bear" and Bill Cornick flying his Pitts S-2C "Big Bad Green" entertained the crowd with their loops, spins and rolls and were joined by a demonstration of wingwalking from a Stearman biplane from "Silver Wings".

One of the favorites was the USAF "Heritage Flight" combining an F-15 "Eagle" and A-10A "Thunderbolt II" with a beautifully restored North American P-51D "Mustang". Not to be outdone, the Navy "Tailhook Legacy Flight" was flown with a Grumman F6F "Hellcat"and F/A-18 "Super Hornet".

The Patriot Jet Team made their first appearance at Pt. Mugu flying an impressive display in their L-39 "Albatross" jets. Their mix of formation and solo aerobatics was very impressive. Red, White and Blue smoke trails added a nice touch to their presentation.

FMI: www.nar.mugu.navy.mil