The Wings Over Wine Country Air Show returns to the Sonoma County airport on August 18 and 19 with a mix of returning favorites and new exhibits.
The Pacific Coast Air Museum (PCAM), organizer of the show, has announced the addition of the U.S. Navy F/A-18 fighter demonstration team to an already stellar air show line-up of performers.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet Demonstration Team from Lemoore NAS will thrill the crowd with a demo showing its tactical power, maneuverability, high performance and speed. Lieutenant Jeff “Lou” Findlay, a native of Wakefield, Massachusetts, will pilot the Super Hornet. Lt. Findlay is currently an instructor pilot assigned to the Flying Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron 122 (VFA- 122) and a member of the F/A-18 Super Hornet West Coast Flight Demonstration Team. His tours of duty have included missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom over the skies of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Organizers have also secured a demonstration by the Harrier “jump jet” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of aviation in the US Marine Corps. The Harrier is famous for its vertical take-off capacity and its participation in the air show will include a flight demonstration.
Additional military participation in the Wings Over Wine Country Air Show includes U-2 “Dragon Lady” overflights, T-38 “Talon” flybys and a C-17 “Globemaster III” static display and climb aboard.
The outstanding civilian air show line up includes Kent Pietsch and his hilarious airborne comedy act, Julie Clark performing a patriotic air presentation in her magnificent T-34, Tim Weber tumbling and high-roll aggressive aerobatics, Bill Cornick and Spencer Suderman each performing solo aerobatics in their Pitts Special aircraft, one of the West Coast’s largest gatherings of flying P-51 Mustangs and warbirds, famed Air Show Announcer Danny Clisham, many static display aircraft, a classic car show and family friendly activities.
This year’s Wings Over Wine Country Air Show has lots of things to do for families and kids. Organizers will have a huge Kid’s World with jumpies, inflatables and rides to excite kids of all ages at very affordable prices. The event will also have a fun trackless train for kids and their parents to ride and a terrific assortment of great food and novelty vendors.
Gates open both days at 9:00 a.m. for pre-show activities, including radio controlled model aircraft demonstrations. Advance tickets are available for $20 at www.WingsOverWineCountry.org, the PCAM gift shop, administruation office or from any board member. In addition to standard entry, tickets are available for the Performers Reception on Friday, August 17 at 6 p.m. ($30 per person or $20 to sponsor a performer or military crew member).
Spectators can enhance their air show experience by watching the show from the President’s Club, an exclusive, catered tent along the flightline. Tickets to the President’s Club are available for advance purchase only at a cost of $120 per ticket.
A pancake breakfast is also available on August 18 and 19 for an additional $8. Spectators who purchase tickets to the breakfast and show receive early entrance to the event.
Pacific Coast Air Museum (PCAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the acquisition, restoration, safe operation and display of historic aircraft, and to providing an educational venue for students and the community. The organization honors those heroic aviators who have contributed so much to the growth and defense of our way of life.
Located in Santa Rosa, PCAM operates both an indoor museum with exhibits featuring famous military and civilian pilots and aviation innovators, as well as historical photos and artifacts, and an outside museum featuring more than two dozen excellent examples of both contemporary and antique aircraft.
Performers & demonstrations
F/A-18F Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration
The Flying Eagles of VFA-122 bring an aerial demonstration showcasing the tactical superiority of the Super Hornet. From the high “G” minimum radius turn to the slow speed/high “alpha” pass, you will see the “Rhino” display its awesome speed, agility and power.
USMC AV-8B Harriers
USMC AV-8B Harriers will perform flybys and be on static display to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of Marine Corps Aviation. The USMC AV-8B Harrier is a vertical takeoff and landing ground attack aircraft.
C-17 Globemaster Static Display & Climb Aboard
Marvel at the immense wing-span and cargo area of one of the military’s largest and newest planes. Talk to the crew and visit the cockpit overlooking the air show. Enter via the immense loading ramp and tour the cargo area.
Air Force U-2 Flyby
Powerful and silent, the U2 flyby is eagerly anticipated by the crowd. The U-2 is a single-seat, single-engine, high-altitude, reconnaissance aircraft. Long (very long at 103 feet), wide, straight wings give the U-2 glider-like characteristics.
T-38 Flyby
Excitement sweeps through the crowd as the T-38 Talon accelerates and executes a vertical climb almost out of sight in a matter of seconds. This supersonic training aircraft is a rare treat and leaves you breathless!
A-10 Thunderbolt Heritage Flight
The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight program presents the evolution of USAF air power by flying today’s state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft (for our show, a P-51 flown by Steve Hinton).
Kent Pietsch
Kent Pietsch in his 1942 Interstate Cadet flies a comedy act which includes extreme maneuvers such as the aileron falling off in mid air. In addition, Kent performs a dead stick (total power off) aerobatic routine from an altitude of 6,000 feet.
Julie Clark
Julie proudly flies her magnificent MENTOR T-34, wowing fans of all ages with her patriotic presentation “Serenade in Red, White and Blue,” breathtakingly choreographed with multi-colored wing-tip smoke trails and dazzling fireworks. A 2011 Air Show Hall of Fame inductee.
Tim Weber
Tim Weber really tears up up the sky! His aerobatics are exciting combinations of tumbling and high rolls in his Extra 300S. Tim’s aggressive flying make him one of the top airshow performers in the United States. Tim also writes and records his own music for his airshow routine.
Spencer Suderman
Spencer’s air show performance showcases the capabilities of the Pitts Biplane with intense gyroscopic maneuvers like the incredible Double Hammerhead and the Inverted Flat Spin with its signature corkscrew smoke trail as the plane drops towards the ground spinning like a frisbee.
Bill Cornick
Bill thrills crowds with his exciting high power aerobatics. A veteran air show performer, he is well known as an outstanding air show performer and as a top unlimited competition pilot.
Famed Air Show Announcer
Danny Clisham
The SkyTalker will keep you in the Top Fun zone. You will be listening to the announcer with more awards and honors than any other announcer in the history of air shows.
For more information contact the Pacific Coast Air Museum at (707) 575-7900 or visit www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org.
