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Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Mon May 08, 2017 12:27 am
by airuarak
Folks

It's still some time away, but my sons and I am flying in from another country to attend Aviation Nation. I wonder if people would be so kind as to pass on any useful information or "tips and tricks" that would add to our experience. Any information or personal experiences would be grately appreciated.

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 5:39 am
by Dan Gagnon
airuarak wrote: Mon May 08, 2017 12:27 am Folks

It's still some time away, but my sons and I am flying in from another country to attend Aviation Nation. I wonder if people would be so kind as to pass on any useful information or "tips and tricks" that would add to our experience. Any information or personal experiences would be grately appreciated.
I attended Aviation Nation last year and had a blast! As for tips and tricks here are a few that I can pass along:

1) Hotels. There are obviously many hotels in the area (ie: The Strip) l personally stayed at the Cannery Hotel and Casino on E Craig Road in North Las Vegas. It's about 10 minutes from Nellis AFB. There are quite a few hotels on Craig Rd. I just found it easier to get to and from base, as I don't drive.

2) Get there early! Aviation Nation hosts 300,000 people over the weekend. Parking is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway with shuttle buses taking attendees to and from the base. Lines get long due to security checks being done prior to boarding the buses.

3) Spotting. If you arrive a few days before the show there are two spotting locations outside the base. Cheyenne Ave and The Speedway. Cheyenne is awesome for both departures from Runway 21 and recoveries onto Runway 3. It is an industrial area, so make sure you don't interfere with semi truck drivers and the industrial businesses (I witnessed a heated argument between a photog and a driver last year). The other location is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Make sure to stay on the speedway property and not on the other side of the road, which is base property. Aircraft aren't as close as on Cheyenne but still a good spot (I admittedly never spotted there, just going by You Tube videos lol)

I hope this helps! If you have anymore questions, feel to ask.

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 12:23 am
by airuarak
thanks very much... I did see there are motels more or less across the road from the entrance... can you walk through there rather than going to the speedway by taxi to get in by bus? Or in other words, is access by public only via the speedway?

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Tue May 16, 2017 2:00 am
by Dan Gagnon
airuarak wrote: Tue May 16, 2017 12:23 am thanks very much... I did see there are motels more or less across the road from the entrance... can you walk through there rather than going to the speedway by taxi to get in by bus? Or in other words, is access by public only via the speedway?
Last year, they did have an option of walking to the main gate and taking shuttle buses from there to the show. I do know on Saturday it took us a little longer to get onto base because I think more people showed up then they expected. Sunday was a lot more organized. That being said, I'm unsure if they will do the same this year.

They also had a local transit bus (Route 603 and/or 604) that went to and from the speedway. If I remember correctly, they didn't announce the transit service for Aviaton Nation until right before the show. Here is their website: http://www.rtcsnv.com/transit/

I found the transit great for going to and from base/spotting locations from my hotel.

Hope this helps!

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 5:43 pm
by Speedbird2706
airuarak wrote: Mon May 08, 2017 12:27 am Folks

It's still some time away, but my sons and I am flying in from another country to attend Aviation Nation. I wonder if people would be so kind as to pass on any useful information or "tips and tricks" that would add to our experience. Any information or personal experiences would be grately appreciated.
I can personally say the La Quinta by the base is a great hotel to book at, or the Hampton inn a few minutes west since you said you and your sons were going I am not sure the strip is the best place for children(in my honest opinion). As the other replies said time is essential either way lots of people and
lots of checks.

Spotting arrivals is pretty easy, the few times I have gone to Red Flag I have seen people take Ubers to and from the speedway, which again is a better place than Cheyenne for children. As for the airshow itself I am not sure about public access other than the speedway.

The best tip I can give you is get there early and stay late at the airshow as during the show statics are a pain, unless they're roped off.

Hope this helps.

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:54 pm
by rhinonavy
Anyone have any updates on other performers, etc. for this year? I think I see T-birds, F-22, A-10 and the Horsemen... I'm hoping they get some bombers in the air at least as it will be the closeout of the 70th anniversary celebration... This will be my first time at Nellis, hoping for a great show!

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2017 1:09 am
by Dan Gagnon
rhinonavy wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2017 10:54 pm Anyone have any updates on other performers, etc. for this year? I think I see T-birds, F-22, A-10 and the Horsemen... I'm hoping they get some bombers in the air at least as it will be the closeout of the 70th anniversary celebration... This will be my first time at Nellis, hoping for a great show!
The show usually has a Nellis capabilities demo that involves aggressor F-16s, F-15Cs for an air to air demo, and an air to ground demo with F-15Es and A-10s. Great demonstration! Also includes pyro and flares.

Hope this helps!

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:12 am
by Claudia
airuarak wrote: Mon May 08, 2017 12:27 am Folks

It's still some time away, but my sons and I am flying in from another country to attend Aviation Nation. I wonder if people would be so kind as to pass on any useful information or "tips and tricks" that would add to our experience. Any information or personal experiences would be grately appreciated.
Hi,
I have been to Nellis several times and always had a good show.
I always stay at the Holiday Inn Express (4035 N Nellis Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89115) which is not so far away from the show.
As I always rent a car, I can say you are close to the Speedway where you have to take the shuttle.
As Dan previously said, be sure to be very early as they are a lot of peoply attending this show and security lines goes very long if you arrive "later"...
Wish you a good show!
Claudia

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:07 am
by alexp2805+
Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017 Performers (as of 8/13/17)
*Pending

Military Performers:
-USAF Thunderbirds
-USAF Heritage Flight w/ F22, A-10, and P-51
-F-22 Raptor Demo
-F-16 Fighting Falcon Demo (not the demonstration team)
-U.S. Air Force Parachute Team/Wings of Blue
-F/A-18 Super Hornet Demo
-C-17 Globemaster III

Other Performers:
-Horsemen Flight Team
-Ace Maker T-33 Airshows
-Chuck Coleman Airshows
-Vicky Benzing Aerosports

Military Static Displays:
-KC-135 Stratotanker
-F-16 Fighting Falcon
-C-17 Globemaster III
-UH-60A/L Black Hawk
-F-15 Eagle

Civilian Static Displays:

Other Attractions:
Food Vendors
Static Displays

I will to keep you updated when more performers and static displays are announced.

Re: Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017

Posted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 4:01 am
by Dan Gagnon
alexp2805+ wrote: Mon Aug 14, 2017 3:07 am Nellis AFB Aviation Nation 2017 Performers (as of 8/13/17)
*Pending

Military Performers:
-USAF Thunderbirds
-USAF Heritage Flight w/ F22, A-10, and P-51
-F-22 Raptor Demo
-F-16 Fighting Falcon Demo (not the demonstration team)
-F-15 Eagle Demo*

Other Performers:
-Horsemen Flight Team
-Ace Maker T-33 Airshows

Military Static Displays:
-KC-135 Stratotanker
-F-16 Fighting Falcon
-C-17 Globemaster III
-CH-47D Chinook
-UH-60A/L Black Hawk
-F-15 Eagle

Civilian Static Displays:

Other Attractions:
Food Vendors
Static Displays

I will to keep you updated when more performers and static displays are announced.
Once again, looking like a great show. I am curious to see if the F-15 and F-16 are single ship demos, or apart of the usual air to air and air to ground demo it does....or maybe there are both single ship demos AND the Nellis capabilities demo (air to air, and air to ground) It looks like the website still have 2016 info, so hopefully it will be updated soon. I attended in 2016 and figured I wouldn't go back for a while due to cost of the trip and possibly not having vacation time available. I wonder if I possibly need to bite the bullet and just enjoy life ;)