Army UH-60 Blackhawk

We have confirmation of another visitor to our show. The Blackhawk will be on static display so getting up close is a real treat.
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition in 1972. The Army designated the prototype as the YUH-60A and selected the Black Hawk as the winner of the program in 1976, after a fly-off competition with the Boeing Vertol YUH-61. The UH-60A entered service with the Army in 1979, to replace the UH-1 Iroquois as the Army's tactical transport helicopter.
We're beginning to pick up some steam and blogging will be a little more intense as we get closer to the show date.
Parking, tickets, and special days are coming up. We are teaming up with some local restaurants so keep an eye open to the blog and web site. We will be advising you of critical updates, like parking, timing and a last special weekend to get special discounted pricing on tickets as well as t-shirts.
Don't forget the Gala. Tickets are selling well for the event, and it promises to be a real flash bang event.

Amazingly Affordable

A recent article in the LA Times describes in pretty good detail how Air Shows are attracting record crowds even with the current economy. The International Council of Air Shows has seen the typical pattern in past recessions. People want value and they want it at home. Air shows deliver and then some. Just like the rest of the entertainment industry air shows have developed over the years and it's more than just watching a plane fly by. It's become more of an experience with the noise, sights and ground displays. Professional announcers with mind boggling sound systems permeate your senses and get you right into the thick of it. You can almost imagine yourself inside that aircraft tumbling, pulling g's or just feeling the thrill of it all. Just being able to look up and see them isn't enough at an air show. Performers want to interact with the people and get to know them. Fighter pilots enjoy quick stories on how they cope or how they brag, if just a little. It's an amazing job, flying in an air show. Walk up and get an autograph. Attend one of the celebrations after the show.
It is a very reasonable cost and the value is extremely high.

Just to give spectators the amount of value they get from an airshow, I am posting the price of other events and you can see the best value. Once a spectator gets to an air show they will see how much value for their money they actually get. Some people will always stand outside the fence and say they watched a great show, but the real experience is being a part of the show rather than watching it. You can watch a ball game or hockey game from the stands but at an air show you get to see the aircraft up close and get to chat with the pilots who fly them.

For instance,

A good seat at a ball game. Not a nose bleed, but one where you are as close to the action as possible.

Let's look at a family of four.

$77 x 4 = $308

$10 for parking

$15 x 4 = $60 (Food Concessions)

This brings the total to $378 for about 3 hours in a seat watching.

Football, again good seats, not nosebleeds.

$180 x 4 = $720 (I had to divide it up because the tickets are in 5 game packages)

$20 for parking

$15 x 4 = $60 ( Food Concessions)

This brings the total to $800 for about 3 hours in a seat watching.

Hockey.

$100 x 4 = $400

$20 for parking

$15 x 4 = $60 (Food and Concessions)

This brings the total to $480 for about three hours in a seat watching.

Okay so you see how much time you get for the amount of money you pay which of course is your value.

Let's visit the Air Show price.

$100 for Two adults and two children for two(2) days. That's 16 tickets total.

$20 for VIP parking, or take a shuttle for $8

$15 x 4 = $60 Food and Concessions.

This brings the air show total to $180 for 16 hours of entertainment. The major aspect is you get to be a part of the show and mingle. Try that at the next baseball, football, or hockey game. We also have the biggest variety to see and do than any other event.

It's a chance for the family to come out together, walk around, and sit down and enjoy some absolutely fantastic flying from some of the best in the world.

Catch the Experience.

Great News....

The Snowbirds were originally flying on the Saturday August 29 in our show and then were to travel to Montreal. Capt Steve Thompson has graciously asked me if Windsor would host the Snowbirds on the Sunday August 30 as well. I accepted of course. When it comes to our Snowbirds, the sky is the limit(no pun, they already own the sky).
Hosting the Snowbirds is and always be an honor. The commitment the Snowbirds have for Windsor has shown through and I am absolutely thrilled our friends are staying for the weekend. This gives the spectators more of an opportunity to meet and greet our Canadian Team.

Get your tickets.

Catch the Experience, twice.

WARNING FROM HEALTH CANADA!

It begins with an itch you can't scratch. From there it progresses to a dull ache that just doesn't seem to subside, even with the aspirin. Next there is a feeling of euphoria mixed in with a small bit of anxiety and then it mixes with a little bit of adrenaline.

The physical symptoms reflect a chronic “readiness” to deal with some future threat. These symptoms may include fidgeting, muscle tension, and sleeping problems. Higher levels may produce such symptoms as rapid heartbeat, sweating, increased blood pressure, nausea, and dizziness. Sometimes it just doesn't matter where you go, you just have to.

There is no known cure but any pilot will tell you the best medicine for these symptoms is to fly. For some it's just an easy day up and down with a few circuits. Others like myself, need to roll around in more of a 3d fashion, rather than straight and level. Some just need the raw power to get their fix.

In the end, the symptoms never go away they stay around until the next flight. It never hurts to keep trying the cure, but it is a bucketful lot of fun.

If you can't fly then please come out, get your fix, and watch the show. There is something about the flight, noise and the smell of aviation fuel that makes your heart pound and imagination soar. Sure you can sit on the outside and watch from afar, but to really get the full experience you have to be front and centre.

Experience the noise and the feel of the sounds as our CF-18 Hornet fires up and prepares for take off. The jet will taxi right down the flight line in front of the crowd for that perfect picture on the ground. As he throttles up you can actually feel the thrust as he moves the plane elegantly forward and right then you will know you have the perfect spot. Then it's just starting. Watch as he maxes out the power for his take off lifts off with raw energy. Your jaw will drop. Sometimes it's hard to decide whether to watch him or take a picture. Imagine the same scenario, this time with 9 Tutor Jets in the air.

There is no cure for this ailment, just the experience.

Come on out front and center to watch 100 Years of Poewered Flight!

US Coast Guard

Another addition to the show. The HH-65C "Dolphin" helicopter from Air Station Detroit in flight over Lake St. Clair approaching the Detroit River with Windsor, Ontario in the background to the left will be making an appearance in our show.

The United States Coast Guard is a military, multi-mission, maritime service within the Department of Homeland Security and one of the nation's five armed services. Its core roles are to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America's coasts, ports, and inland waterways.

We often see them flying over and around Windsor and the unique sound they have comes from

two Turbomeca 2C2-CG Turboshaft Engines that produce 934 shp. It's an unmistakable sound.

My wife and I were on a cruise ship last spring about three hours outside of San Juan heading back to Florida when a Coast Guard Dolphin flew alongside and circled the ship. Apparently an older gentlemen had had a mild heart attack and the helicopter was dispatched from San Juan to intercept the cruise ship. The captain had radioed and made arrangements to turn the ship around so the Coast Guard could get to the ship as quickly as possible and still have fuel to return. With the cruise ship into the wind travelling at 20 knots, pitching up and down, we watched as the pilot circled a couple of times while the crew on the ship prepared the landing pad, and then delicately parked on the front deck without so much as an inch of roll when he touched down. It was amazing to watch this up close. The passengers were 20 deep with their cameras. They loaded up the passenger in short order and then lifted off the deck with such an amazing skill it was almost surreal.

Later that night at dinner it was the talk of the ship and then some.

Just knowing that there is that kind of assistance out there when you get into trouble, makes you appreciate the service and dedication these individuals have.
We welcome the US Coast Guard to our show.

OPP Golden Helmets

As an added value attraction the OPP Golden Helmets will be performing at our show. The 20-member team, comprised of O.P.P. officers on regular patrol duties, consists of the Ride Master, Commentator, the motorcycle technician and 17 riders. Each team member must have successfully completed a three week motorcycle course and at least one season on motorcycle patrol. The members must be in good physical condition and possess a police fitness pin.

On October 13, 1909, the “Ontario Provincial Police Force” was established with a permanent force of salaried police constables.
The OPP can be traced back to the 19th century when John Wilson Murray, the province’s first full-time paid criminal detective, began his 31-year career in 1875. A small staff of government detectives worked for the Attorney General’s office until the formation of the OPP when many of these “provincial constables” subsequently joined the now formalized Ontario Provincial Police.

The year 2009 marks the OPP’s 100th anniversary, a milestone achievement of service to the people of Ontario. This year is not only a celebration of the past it also continues a commitment to excellence in policing throughout the next century.

Friday Night Gala.

We will be having a Gala dinner on Friday August 28, 2009 at the CH2A hanger at the Windsor Airport. There are limited tickets available. You will be able to speak up close and personal to these fine aviators who will be performing in the show and as well as the pilots who came here to display their flying machines as a static display. Bring a camera as you will be able to be up close and personal with the Snowbirds, Red Bull Pilots, Skyhawks parachutists, and many, many more.Tickets are on sale now and they will sell out quickly. Email Ticket Sales or call to reserve these tickets as it will be an exceptional night to rub shoulders with some of the best pilots in the world, including our own. Tickets will be $75 each and proceeds will go to help restore the Lancaster Bomber.
In order to secure your tickets, please email info@winairshow.com with your name, address and quantity of tickets.

We will also have special items available at the show that will not be made available to the general public.

Join our email list and become assured of meeting these very intense and approachable performers.

You can get autographs from professional athletes in baseball, hockey, soccer and many other athletic events, however, these pilots make it a point to get involved with their spectators to promote one of the greatest passions a person can accomplish.

"Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return."
This quote has been around for centuries and Leonardo Da Vinci is credited with starting this rumour.

There is no other sport or experience that can get into your blood like aviation because once you get a taste of it, you are sold.

CATCH THE EXPERIENCE THIS AUGUST 29,30, 2009!