Airshows are one of the primary showcases of military and civilian aviation all around the world. From vintage aerobatic feats recollecting the early 'barnstorming' days to high powered military fighter jets and everything in between, Airshows are a stable of aviation showcase held around the world every year. Either hosted by active military bases or civilian airports, Airshows are one of the greatest pastimes you'll find in America and the world, drawing millions of people each year. Here you'll find selected images from Airshows all around the west coast of the United States going as far back as 2003.
Once referred to as 'Aviation Nation,' the Nellis AFB Airshow wraps up a year long season of airshows and is the final show for the USAF Thunderbirds. Showcasing the most modern and high tech military aircraft alongside vintage aircraft spanning through various wars, Nellis is a fitting end to a long Airshow season.
The Los Alamitos Army Air Base 'Wings, Wheels, and Rotors Expo' may be small at first glance, but the collection of military helicopters from various branches and law enforcement is one of the largest in Southern California. Warbirds and blimps can be caught taking to the skies throughout the day. Staying till the very end of the show and one can catch the departures of the helicopters and aircraft.
One of the biggest Modern Military airshows in the entire world and one of my personal favorites, the MCAS Miramar Airshow in San Diego hosts a look at all branches of the US Military and allies. With nearly a million visitors over 3 days, the airshow showcases the finest performances and displays of military aviation, usually ending with the USN Blue Angels demonstration.
The Thunder over the Valley Airshow in Santa Maria has gone through a lot over the years, struggling with various hurdles but always managing to put on a pretty good airshow. This year a mix of no-shows, new rules, and very high winds grounded a lot of aircraft of limited the performances to just a quick fly-by while departing. Thankfully, early WW2 aircraft filled in the gaps giving some great fly-bys.
Home to one of the main Commemorative Air Force Wings, Camarillo Airport is no stranger to warbirds on the runway. With many warbirds calling Camarillo home, it is natural to expect their airshow to be centered on warbirds. From Military to Civilian, vintage to modern day, the Camarillo Airport Airshow is a showcase of the history of aviation from the smallest ultralight to the modern fighter jets.
Called the Vapor Capital of the West Coast because of the intense vapor that forms on the faster moving fighter aircraft surfaces during the show, NAWS Point Mugu offers some of the most unique shots of modern fighters... when its not raining. But, the static line-up often includes some exotic modern military aircraft you'll see along with visiting aircraft from all over the United States and even Canada!
While only a small echo of the once great MCAS El Toro Airshows, the Great Park Airshow is a tribute to the mighty Marine base that closed in 1998. Featuring a nice assortment of warbirds and aerobatics for a show of this small size, the Great Park Airshow brings out many people from the Orange County area who want to remember the old days on base along with the sights and sounds that made up MCAS El Toro.
One of the most unique features of the Gillespie Airport Airshow is the very impressive static aircraft display and up-close interaction with the aircraft. With the runway not far from the crowd line and the sun to your back, the Airshow provides many great photo opportunities along with military reenactments and simulations.
One of the biggest vintage military aircraft airshows in the world, the Chino Airport Planes of Fame Airshow brings together ones of the largest gaggles of warbird aircraft in the airshow world. Each year features a theme with a performance of something incredibly rare or not seen in many years. Showcasing history at its finest!
Arrivals for one of the largest airshows on the west coast can last several days leading up to the airshow. The entire week before the Chino Airport Planes of Fame Airshow is full of arriving aircraft from all over the United States and offers a unique close up view of the aircraft that will be performing and showcased at the Airshow.
The afterburners of military aircraft are not the only thing generating heat at the March ARB Airshow, with temperatures often in triple digits. But it's easily bearable when the lineup of performers and display aircraft include some of the most cutting edge and modern military aircraft in service along with vintage aircraft performances.
Celebrating Veterans, the Riverside California community put on a spectacular parade with military vehicles spanning from World War 2 to modern day, reenactors, and much more from all branches of service. As a special treat, several aircraft performed several fly-over passes over the parade route in celebration of the parade.
Proving that even smaller airports can put together high class airshows, the Riverside Airport Airshow's lineup of performers spans from vintage military aircraft to modern fighter jets each year and never disappoints. Be it for the dazzling aircraft displays or the large Car Show on the ground, it's a show not to miss!
Generally preceding an airshow is something called a Media Day. During Media Day, local press and media outlets are invited out to the Airshow to get a preview of what is to come for the airport so they can promote the airshow in local papers or on TV. Often times they showcase some of the stars of the upcoming airshow as they arrive, and sometimes the media will be able to take part in a flight of some sort.
Often referred to as the start of the airshow season on the west coast, the winter training home and first airshow of the year for the USN Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team offers a fantastic display of modern military aircraft and aerobatic performers. With the sun to your back the entire show, NAF El Centro offers some unique photography!
In the days leading up to the NAF El Centro Airshow each year, the USN Blue Angels and other Airshow performers fit in as much practice as possible the few days before. While the public is not allowed inside the base during the practice shows, it's become a tradition for many to watch and photograph the performers from outside the base.
One of the smallest airshows in Southern California, the Cable Airport Air Faire gives a different look to aviation, showcasing the more rare vintage and modern civilian aircraft. Along with a unique up close opportunity to see the aircraft take off really close to the crowd line, the show's car show compliments the exotic aircraft static displays.