Spirit of St Louis Airshow 2019

[Dan Gagnon]

Some more:

[RyanS]

A little hard to wrap my head around this show. The lineup was perfect, which we all knew coming in. With more friends than I could count it was going to be a fun time no matter what. The flying was even better than expected and it was great to see the Red Arrows again. One of the only venues I know of where you can be at show center and the corner marker simultaneously!

On the flip side, the spectator-relations type of stuff was abysmal. Random rules were made up and posted only through social media comments, not on the airshow web page. Water bottles were prohibited (nothing makes me hate a show faster), then allowed, then prohibited again because apparently they were a security concern on Sunday but not Saturday? Invoking the TSA at a non-TSA airport; absolute bullshit. Thankfully the actual security folks applied much needed common sense and we got in without strip searches. I feel bad for those who listened and did not bring water bottles in, only to stand in HUGE lines to buy some while vendors ran out.

Side note - the nearby Scott AFB airshow has a web site up for 2020 which already says that water bottles are allowed in. Imagine security on a base being more relaxed than a non-airline civilian airport!

Ultimately I guess I would say that I had a good time despite management's best efforts to screw it all up. It was just a few minor details from disaster, but they all swung our way in the end. Thanks to my friends for making the long drive worth it!

All that said, here's video of the T-X:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2w4XKtDunM

[Airplanefreak2000]

Whole heartedly agree to Ryan’s sentiments above. The friends and the performers made this show. The people running media did try(at least Thursday as I got to interview blue angel #4 but the fiasco on Friday putting media behind a tree was ridiculous) and it’s hard maneuvering a bunch of people around. Also not letting media in early on Saturday to fight for spots with the general public. The supposed Sunday morning static photo shoot sounded great but never came to fruition due to the thunderstorm so I’m unsure if this was even going to happen in the first place. I don’t want to blame the PR people entirely. The people I talked to seemed nice and tried to care but seemed to be shot down on mostly anything they wanted to do. It ended up being one of the most non media friendly shows I’ve ever been to. Still no one holds a candle to niagara. Some more photos from a great flying weekend!

[RFDGuy]

Just a couple of my pics so far.

[RyanS]

Bad pics make for (thankfully) quick editing!

[RyanS]

More

[sdrice+]

Excellent airshow - nice selection of performers and statics. There were some flaws - entry was over-controlled and photo pit was a disappointment.

[RyanS]

Excellent airshow - nice selection of performers and statics. There were some flaws - entry was over-controlled and photo pit was a disappointment.

Looks like you were on the hill - which spot and how was it? We were tempted to go over there all weekend to avoid the BS.

[sdrice+]

After reviewing my Saturday photos I determined I had about the best I could get looking into the sun. I went to the ridge line on Sunday to see what I could find. I was concerned about getting into trespassing hassles. I soon found a church advertising parking and airshow viewing real estate for $20. They also had a food concession going. From what I could determine the church property was just outside the southeast corner of the aerobatic box. It worked well and departure was quick.

[RyanS]

After reviewing my Saturday photos I determined I had about the best I could get looking into the sun. I went to the ridge line on Sunday to see what I could find. I was concerned about getting into trespassing hassles. I soon found a church advertising parking and airshow viewing real estate for $20. They also had a food concession going. From what I could determine the church property was just outside the southeast corner of the aerobatic box. It worked well and departure was quick.

Cool! We had heard about the church but thought it was probably too far down from show center to be that great. Might be worth a consideration if we go back.

Here's video of the Bama Vipers arriving on Friday with many low approaches. It gets a little repetitive but I wanted to get it up for the pilots to see. Hanging out with friends waiting for arrivals was one of the best nights I've had!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKdkpGgR4L8