The 2008 Indianapolis Air Show wrapped up yesterday afternoon. Personally, it was the best show I've been too. I'm obviously biased in that opinion. Most of you would say that also if you had a ride in a B-17 Flying Fortress (story here) and then got a ride with the Golden Knights at the same show. There is no denying I was a very lucky person this year.
The Golden Knights Parachute Team is a squared away bunch of soldiers. Watching them could teach anyone something about organization. There is a practiced routine for putting the equipment on, a practiced routine to check each others equipment and then there are practiced routines for lining the plane up over show center. Everything they do has checks and double-checks. When everything checks out, all you here is "READY, SET, GO!" and they are out the door. It happens very quickly and despite the briefings, I was still slow with the trigger finger on the camera and ended up taking pictures of an empty door. My picture was of the clouds outside instead.
One more thing about the flight with the Golden Knights. IT GETS COLD at 12,500 feet. I have a blurry picture of the altimeter the soldier next to me showed to me. He explained that they prefer to jump at that altitude unless cloud coverage prevents it. I asked him if anyone on the flight was HALO qualified. He was, and the jump master was.
In addition, I got to spend some time with some great veterans (USS Indianapolis survivors and some pilots) who were at the show telling people about their experiences while serving our country. Many of them had the books they've written and would sign a copy for you brought a copy or bought one at their tent.
The aviation community is a great bunch of people. Everyone from performers to organizers to volunteers were generous and took time out to greet my family while they were there. All deserve a HUGE Thank you! And, if I may, just share a BIG THANK YOU once again to the army of volunteers that made the Indianapolis Air Show a success. Many of these volunteers have given there time and energy year after year and their experience makes this show better and better each year.
Now, here is some additional coverage of the show:
All eyes skyward - Greenfield Daily Reporter, USA
The skies over Hancock County were filled during the weekend with all sorts of spinning, rolling and fast-moving aircraft at the Indianapolis Air Show at ...
The whole Fencecheck thread for the Indianapolis Air Show can be found here
.There are some great photos already posted!
Indianapolis Star Photo Gallery
Also, watch the threads on AirShowBuzz as pictures continue to get posted from the Indianapolis Air Show there also.
The Golden Knights Parachute Team is a squared away bunch of soldiers. Watching them could teach anyone something about organization. There is a practiced routine for putting the equipment on, a practiced routine to check each others equipment and then there are practiced routines for lining the plane up over show center. Everything they do has checks and double-checks. When everything checks out, all you here is "READY, SET, GO!" and they are out the door. It happens very quickly and despite the briefings, I was still slow with the trigger finger on the camera and ended up taking pictures of an empty door. My picture was of the clouds outside instead.
One more thing about the flight with the Golden Knights. IT GETS COLD at 12,500 feet. I have a blurry picture of the altimeter the soldier next to me showed to me. He explained that they prefer to jump at that altitude unless cloud coverage prevents it. I asked him if anyone on the flight was HALO qualified. He was, and the jump master was.
In addition, I got to spend some time with some great veterans (USS Indianapolis survivors and some pilots) who were at the show telling people about their experiences while serving our country. Many of them had the books they've written and would sign a copy for you brought a copy or bought one at their tent.
The aviation community is a great bunch of people. Everyone from performers to organizers to volunteers were generous and took time out to greet my family while they were there. All deserve a HUGE Thank you! And, if I may, just share a BIG THANK YOU once again to the army of volunteers that made the Indianapolis Air Show a success. Many of these volunteers have given there time and energy year after year and their experience makes this show better and better each year.
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Now, here is some additional coverage of the show:
All eyes skyward - Greenfield Daily Reporter, USA
The skies over Hancock County were filled during the weekend with all sorts of spinning, rolling and fast-moving aircraft at the Indianapolis Air Show at ...
The whole Fencecheck thread for the Indianapolis Air Show can be found here
.There are some great photos already posted!- Indianapolis Air Show Photos (with WW II veterans)
- Fans at Air Show - WTHR
- Dan Hollings: F-22 Raptor @ Indianapolis Air Show (via Blog) from FriendFeed
- Air Show by HomeConcierge (Patrick Dreiling)
Indianapolis Star Photo Gallery
Also, watch the threads on AirShowBuzz as pictures continue to get posted from the Indianapolis Air Show there also.
- Indianapolis Air Show on AirShowBuzz
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