Nevada County Air Fest
7/11/2009
The semi-annual air-show/fly-in/aviation buff gathering took place today; a pleasantly warm beautiful summer day. Strangely, by the end of the afternoon, heavy clouds had moved in and some very lit sprinkles began falling.
During the event a small wildfire broke out south of Grass Valley and the California Department of Forestry Air-Attack Base went into action, dispatching two air-tankers, one air-attack director plane, and a helicopter. While the Air-Attack base is operating on a fire the runway is closed to all other traffic.
7/11/2009
The semi-annual air-show/fly-in/aviation buff gathering took place today; a pleasantly warm beautiful summer day. Strangely, by the end of the afternoon, heavy clouds had moved in and some very lit sprinkles began falling.
During the event a small wildfire broke out south of Grass Valley and the California Department of Forestry Air-Attack Base went into action, dispatching two air-tankers, one air-attack director plane, and a helicopter. While the Air-Attack base is operating on a fire the runway is closed to all other traffic.
Here the CDF Helicopter heads off for the fire.
I distinctly remember the first such events more than 20 years ago when it was very small and lightly attended. Private aircraft owners from around Northern California, flew to Grass Valley then for a pancake breakfast and to give the public an opportunity to ogle their planes.
Now, it is quite a large event with public attendance in the low thousands and many airplanes of distinction. This year’s celebration centered around World War II fighters and they were very well represented by the visiting and local aviators. Many spotless restorations that looked far better than they did when new were on hand to see and discuss with their owners. Others were
in various stages of restoration but all were flyable.
Now, it is quite a large event with public attendance in the low thousands and many airplanes of distinction. This year’s celebration centered around World War II fighters and they were very well represented by the visiting and local aviators. Many spotless restorations that looked far better than they did when new were on hand to see and discuss with their owners. Others were
in various stages of restoration but all were flyable. This T-6 trainer and the other companion were glowing brilliantly in the warm sunshine.
Rides were available, for a fee, in a beautifully restored twin-engine Cessna in Marine livery. It l
ooked
Rides were available, for a fee, in a beautifully restored twin-engine Cessna in Marine livery. It l
ookedlike an “e-ticket” ride as the pilot put the plane through nearly vertical climbs, nearly knife-edge turns, and incredibly low passes down the runway at high speed. It was fun to watch.
Watching the old warbirds caused me to reflect on how noisy a battlefield must have been with guns firing from the air and ground, bombs bursting, and the earsplitting sound of hundreds of these powerful engines screaming through the air. Just 5 or 6 or them created noise so great 
that conversation on the ground was impossible as they flew over.
This elegantly restored P-51 Mustang was so shiny it was like a mirror. General Chuck Yeager, our famous neighbor, flew just such a plane in Europe and was the first flyer in history to shoot down a jet-powered airplane from Hitler's Luftwaffa.
that conversation on the ground was impossible as they flew over.This elegantly restored P-51 Mustang was so shiny it was like a mirror. General Chuck Yeager, our famous neighbor, flew just such a plane in Europe and was the first flyer in history to shoot down a jet-powered airplane from Hitler's Luftwaffa.
I met some of the guys in the local Radio Control Model Airplane Club and they invited me to join them on Sunday mornings to learn how to fly my plane. After my first such plane crashed on its maiden flight I’ve been afraid to take its replacement out of the box. They friendly guys assured me they could teach me to fly well enough to be able to enjoy it. I’ll surely take them up on their generous offer.
The RC flyers gave some amazing demonstrations of their hobby including an air race featuring three planes flying faster than 150 actual mph. These model pilots are really highly skilled and it was amazing and exciting to watch.
Since our home lies directly beneath the downwind leg to the airport we continued to enjoy the action from our comfortable deck after returning home.
It was fun to see and hear but also nice when peace returned to Possumtrot Hill.
The RC flyers gave some amazing demonstrations of their hobby including an air race featuring three planes flying faster than 150 actual mph. These model pilots are really highly skilled and it was amazing and exciting to watch.
Since our home lies directly beneath the downwind leg to the airport we continued to enjoy the action from our comfortable deck after returning home.
It was fun to see and hear but also nice when peace returned to Possumtrot Hill.
