My first grader son and I headed to what might have been the first official airshow in California in 2021. The 40th annual Wings Over Camarillo happened live and in-person August 21st and 22nd, featuring an airshow, car show and STEM interactive exhibition.
After a free shuttle ride that snaked through the streets around the airport, we entered via Gate 3. Ahead of us were rows of classic and exotic cars.
We cruised the car show that featured cars from the early 1900's through today, owned and maintained by proud private owners. Chrome gleamed and vinyl looked like it had never been sullied by a passengers backside.
Then we walked through the aircraft static displays, that ranged from large to experimental, general aviation to military airplanes and helicopters.
Next we navigated the corridor of vendors, getting whiffs of kettle corn and hot dogs, as well as BBQ and gyros. We amazingly avoided purchasing any and all of the mostly aviation themed gear and gifts we passed.
Okay -- except for that snow cone he has in his hand. We saved $2 by going to the second stand selling icees, and my son was thrilled that he could add the colorful flavors at the pumps himself.
Just as we entered the second area of static aircraft displays and were about to reach the STEM pavilion, the announcer alerted us to the nearing start of the airshow.
Time flies when you're having fun!
The show started out with a BANG! An F-18 broke the sound barrier multiple times directly in front of us in speedy passes. As the boom hit our bodies, we saw the condensed water forming a vapor cone, or shock collar, around the jet. (Ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones advised!)
HE: It's too loud.
SHE: COOL !
My son much preferred the elegant flight by Judy Phelps in her Pitts and the helicopter aerobatics of Aaron Fitzgerald with Red Bull.
HE: Thumbs up.
SHE: Ditto!
Another neat feat in the air was performed by Sammy Mason in his Pitts. Another loud boom, this time pyrotechnics creating a smoke ring. As the black ring floated skyward, Mason made a dive through its center.
HE: I don't like the noise.
SHE: That was amazing!
The last bit of flying in the airshow my son and I could agree on was seeing and hearing the P-38. My husband's grandfather helped with the engineering of this unique twin boom military fighter plane use in World War II. For a warplane, the P-38 is relatively quiet, its exhaust being muffled by turbosuperchargers.
HE: Nice!
SHE: I love that sound!
Saving the best for last. Though we didn't stay long enough to see her fly toward the end of over 4-hour long airshow program, aerobatic champion Vicky Benzing was my son's (and mine) highlight of the day.
The announcer mentioned in passing that she would be at the California Aeronautical University booth to sign posters and take photographs for an hour. We high-tailed in over to the remarkably uncrowded booth and lined up behind a family from Korea.
My son was starstruck the entire time we were with Benzing, though she made every effort to chat with him. She even had some one with my son's unusual name in her family. She sighed a poster and posed for a picture before we left.
Exhausted by the heat and noise we gathered up our families and headed home. Don;t get me wrong, it was totally worth it, and we'd do it again.
But next time we will be more strategic if Benzing is on the program and make sure to see her. And if young kids are involved, I will avoid the F-18s or other jets likely to approach or exceed the sound barrier.
And likewise avoid anything that uses pyrotechnics, which our program clearly labeled.
What better way to cap off an airshow weekend but by visiting a hometown friend and helicopter pilot (who my husband taught in junior and senior high) at work.
HE: Mom, can we go home now?
SHE: After I talk shop with Bryson for a few more minutes, honey.
A quick commercial flight on a 737 and we were back in the fog descending into SFO.
Home.
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