Rocky Mountain Air
Show August
26-28, 2011
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Location: Rocky Mountain Metro Airport in Broomfield, CO. |
Admission: Children
5 & under – Free, Youth Age 6-13 – $15.00, Adult
Age 14 – 64 – $22.00
Seniors & Military (with ID) – $17.00 Chalet and upgrades were available. |
Parking: FREE |
Value: Good |
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The Rocky Mountain Air show was held at the Rocky Mountain Metro
Airport in Broomfield, CO., August 26-28 this year. With attendance
over 100,000+ for the 3 days, all who watched were in near 100 degree
record breaking temperatures each day. You could see the heat ‘bouncing’ off
the tarmac, as hydration for both performers, announcers and attendees
was essential. Attendees brought lawn chairs, umbrellas, backpacks
with water and snacks, or could pay additional fees for the Flight
Line Chalet. |
We didn’t see the show on Friday, but were told by other
attendees that watching the planes flying toward the Flat Irons/The
Rocky Mountains during sunset was spectacular. Also, a World War
II USO Bash was held with Jim Cimiluca, President of the RMA, welcoming
everyone to this year’s event. |
Saturday began with Walt Green descending to the National Anthem with an American
Flag Parachute Jump. Circling him as he dropped to ‘air show center’ were
7 of the 12 Red Stars, Precision Formation Team. Also flying Saturday and/or
Sunday, Don Nelson with his Sukhoi 26, and Gary Rower in his Stearman. Jim Terry
in the C-47, Todd McLaughlin in a T-28, and Dan Buchanan gave the audience a
High-performance hang glider demonstration, and Neal Darnell thrilled the crowds
with his Flash Fire Jet Truck. Bill Lowe did a great job announcing the participants
at this year’s event.
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The
major performances were from the CAF, presenting Tora!-Tora!-Tora!,
a re-creation of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The
Zeros, Kates and Vals
flying
in formation, re-creating the attack, along with pyrotechnics to
simulate bombs and torpedos, accompanied by recordings of Roosevelt,
made the atmosphere that much more ‘realistic’ to the
crowds. The Zeros, Kates and Vals flew in multiple ‘patterns,’ some
with mock bombs and/or torpedos attached between their wheels. The
site was incredible to watch and listen to. |
| Three incredible passes were made on
Saturday only by the USAF 509th BW B-2 Spirit, Stealth Bomber, that
was eerily quiet as it flew overhead. The pilot spoke to the crowd
as it did its manoeuvres before flying to its next airshow that day. |
The
precision flying and execution by Capt. Garrett “Mace” Dover
of the USAF – Viper West F-16
Team and the USN – F/A -18C Hornet flight demonstration were
certain crowd pleasers as well. Great Job, and we thank you. |
The static display
consisted of a T-6, T-28, T-33, P51, Jet Provost and Jack Wilhite’s
MiG-17. The Rocky Mountain Airshow had an Adventure
Zone again for children and teens with a variety of hands-on
projects, educational programs and a chance for personal interactions
with aerospace professionals. The airshow improved its location of
vendors, adding more sanitary facilities, keeping lines to a minimum.
There was ample, free parking with shuttle services to the main gates. |
Some of the participants
were:
- B-2 Stealth Bomber
- F-16 Viper West Demo Team
- USN F/A-18C Hornet Demo Team
- CAF Tora! Tora! Tora!
- P-47D Thunderbolt
- B-25J "In the mood"
- Red Stars
- Don Nelson with his Sukhoi 26
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and too many others to list.
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Rating:
7.5 out of 10 |
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Photography and report by
E deVries for AIRSHOWSREVIEW LLC
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© 2011
AIRSHOWSREVIEW LLC All Rights Reserved. |
All trade names, trademarks and
manufacturer names are the property of their respective owners. |
