An F-16B Aggressor based at Fallon NAS makes a visit.
By Hayman Tam
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels inaugurated the 2008 California air show season with their civilian season opener outside Sacramento, at the 3rd annual California Capital Airshow. More than 70,000 attended, braving stormy weather to come to Sacramento Mather Airport (formerly Mather Air Force Base).
The Saturday attendees took their chances with the thunderstorm forecast, while Sunday folks were treated to brilliant sunshine, but high winds. The 20 mph breeze, gusting up to 30 mph at times, wreaked havoc with the air show schedule.
Performances started with Tim Decker, in his Pitts Special, followed by a Blackhawk rescue demonstration by the local Air National Guard unit. A fast moving F-16 from the Viper West Coast Demonstration team showed its capabilities.
The carrier-based Lockheed S-3B Viking sub-hunter is due for retirement next year.
Bill Stein flew aerobatics in his Edge 540, unique for its iridescent paint job that continuously changed color, depending on the angle of light. In the Oracle Challenger, the ever-popular Sean Tucker wowed the crowds with his skillful display, which ended with a low altitude ribbon cutting above the runway.
A C-130, based out of Air Station Sacramento (located at the former McClellan AFB), demonstrated how survival supplies are dropped out the back of the aircraft and followed that with some flybys before leaving for home.
A beautifully restored B-25J Mitchell bomber, Heavenly Body, then took to the sky for what would be the only warbird performance of the day.
Because of sustained high winds, the F-16 West Coast team repeated its show, to fill the time for performers unable to fly.
This Boeing 757 is one of many cargo aircraft UPS operates from Sacramento Mather.
Gone from the Sunday lineup was Dan Buchanan’s hang gliding, a skydiving demonstration by the 101st Airborne and the AV-8B Harrier performance. Even the Heritage Flight fell victim to the blustery conditions.
After the F-16 encore, the crowd was treated to a new air show team, the Collaborators Formation Aerobatic Team. Comprised of Sean Tucker, his son Eric and Ben Freelove (flying Extra 300s) and Stein, the team performed a unique demonstration in dissimilar aircraft.
Then it was time for the Blue Angels to strut their stuff. Their C-130 transport, Fat Albert, took off (sans rockets) for a series of flybys. The announcer then introduced short field tactical landings, as Fat Albert began a steep approach to the runway. It may have been too aggressive a landing, as the airplane blew one of its main wheels upon touchdown and limped off to the end of the runway, instead of taxiing back to the crowd line.
This Boeing Stearman is one of many Jelly Belly sponsored aircraft touring air shows.
After the runway was swept clean of Fat Albert debris, the Blue Angels took to the air. A new maneuver introduced this year, a six-ship delta break coming straight at the crowd line, was a big hit.
The static displays were numerous and varied. Nearby Beale AFB displayed A U-2S, complete with a contingent of heavily armed guards. U-2 pilot Cory Bartholomew talked to fans and answered their many questions. Beale also provided a black T-38 to complement the U-2S.
Besides Heavenly Body, classic aircraft displayed included a mirror-finish P-51D, Daddy’s Girl, the Jelly Belly Stearman and a T-28 Trojan.
The Navy had a strong presence, with its Aggressor F-16, F/A-18 and F-5. Examples of the carrier-based SH-60 Seahawk and the soon-to-be retired S-3B Viking were also on hand.
Besides the U-2, the Air Force brought a C-5 Galaxy, MC-130 Combat Shadow and MH-60 Pave Hawk aircraft. Guests were reminded of the full-time tenants of Mather, with several cargo aircraft on display.
UPS had its Boeing 757 and Airbus A300, FedEx displayed a Boeing 727 and DHL brought a Boeing 767.
Among local helicopters represented was Sacramento news channel KCRA’s Eurocopter AS350. The Sacramento County Sheriff Department brought its Eurocopter EC-120 and the police air unit displayed its military model Bell OH-58.
Daddy’s Girl, a locally owned P-51D Mustang, shows off its mirror finish.
While guests enjoyed food and children’s activities, the event raised funds for scholarships for local students interested in aviation careers.
Located 18 miles east of California’s capital, Mather AFB was closed in 1993 and reopened in 1996 as Sacramento Mather Airport. Primarily a cargo airport, it’s home to regional UPS, FedEx and DHL operations.
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- This is one of two Bell OH-58As operated by the Sacramento PD Air Support Unit.
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- The venerable Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady is from nearby Beale AFB.
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- The Collaborators formation aerobatic team, led by Sean Tucker, starts their performance.
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- Sean Tucker, in the Oracle Challenger, flies low over the Blue Angel flight line.
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- The beautifully restored B-25J Heavenly Body never saw combat but did appear in the movie “Catch-22.”
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- A USCG HC-130 does a close flyby before returning to Air Station Sacramento.
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- Sean Tucker wows the crowd, in his custom-built Oracle Challenger.
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- This F-16 flies courtesy of the Air Combat Command’s West Coast “Viper West” F-16 aerial demonstration team.
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- The Blue Angels head straight for the crowd with their new delta maneuver.
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- The Blue Angel’s C-130, “Fat Albert,” pops a tire on landing (note the black smoke).
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- A quartet of Blue Angels flies by show center.