2024 MCAS Cherry Point Air Show

[n33d4sp33d_85]

For those who’re planning on coming back tomorrow:

We recommend that you get here early. Gates will open earlier, starting at 7:30 a.m. and plan for an unusually high volume of traffic in the area. General public should use Cunningham and Marylou Gates off of NC Highway 101.
Also, guests with issued parking passes can aid traffic flow by prominently displaying the credentials so they are easily visible to sentries and parking control attendants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fYgWzdpsHR61NCpM/?

[awal2049]

First things first, traffic was insane. I think people without CACs were attempting to enter via SLOCUM gate and it messed everything up. I never got checked for one. I live 7 minutes away from base, and it took me over two hours to get parked. I left a little later than I probably should have (10 am), but that was uncharacteristically bad for Cherry Point. As a result, I missed the Opener, F-35B, Tom, Hubie, the Mustangs, Schmiddle, and the V-22. I still have tomorrow to catch those.

After that, I barely got through the checkpoint in time to get the Raptor Demo. As hoped, they used a ton of flares, even some through the clouds. Can't wait to review the footage I got.

SRC unfortunately cracked his seat from the Gs during his routine and had to knock it off early. We'll see if he flies again tomorrow. RJ is always a great act. I'm always impressed with how nimble the Super Decathlon is for how low powered it is.

The AV-8B Harrier happened just before MAGTF, and hopefully they will keep the same schedule for tomorrow. Would hate for people to miss that due to traffic. MAGTF went about as practiced except with 1 Legacy Hornet. However, this hornet just happened to be the color bird for the VMFA-115 Silver Eagles, so that was a treat. Speaking of color, all of the Cherry Point color birds were on static display, including the VMFA-542 colored F-35B. There were many statics that were not listed in the website.

Stati s that weren't listed
2x SJ F-15Es
2x Moody A-10s
USGC MH-60T
Ryan ST-L
RAVN BAE Hawk Mk. 67

The Blue Angels killed it as always. There was an annoying F-35B that had to run its APU to troubleshoot a problem during Fat Albert and the Blues taxiing out. The big thing for me was how hyped the bleachers section around me was. I don't think I've ever been in a crowd that enthusiastic about seeing the Blue Angels. It made for a great experience.

I had this on my top 10 US air shows this year due to the amount of "final stuff" and the lineup, but it's really disappointing to see how the traffic worked out. Gonna get up extra early tomorrow and try again. Here are some statics while I wait for videos to copy over

[awal2049]

Some quick screenshots from the flying

[gettadub]

I spent hundreds of dollars, drove a thousand miles, and waited in some of the worst air show traffic I’ve experienced only to be denied entry because my 60-600 lens was too long.

A guy told the Marine going through my bag to have me extend the lens, and told him it was too long. I had them both confirm this wasn’t mentioned anywhere at any time, but it was “too long”, the Marine apologized, the guy giving him instructions turned his back to me and and refused any further information or clarification.

I emailed the show asking them to urgently clarify but I don’t expect to hear back in time. So angry and frustrated.

I wish the rest of you better luck

that is strange no one even looked at my 60 600 at all

[n33d4sp33d_85]

Another airshow advisory from the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show’s Facebook page

AIR SHOW ADVISORY | Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point will modify its plan for guests accessing the installation for the air show, May 12. Slocum Gate will be opened one-way, two-lanes, inbound from 6-10:30 a.m. (no outbound traffic). Those exiting the installation during this time will need to exit at the Main Gate. Guests can also enter at Marylou Gate off NC Highway 101. Air show gates open at 7:30 a.m. It is recommended that drivers factor in high volumes of traffic and plan for earlier departures to reach the air station.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gBEsttjMkNFyhCPp/?

[JawsJr]

Very unfortunate to hear about how things went for other people the traffic was bad but it was my first time being at an airshow on the “public day” and being in a military family we always went on the practice days. Also the lens size issue is very strange I entered at the gate alll the way at the end by the T-28s and the bae hawk and such and had no problem with my 100-400mm lens which with the lens hood is almost exactly the same size as the sigma 150-600 not sure if people had problems with that specific lens but I know people had problems with lenses of similar lengths. The show I thought was incredible some disappointing things like Randy balls mig 15 had issues with its afterburner. Still performed the demonstration just no burner. Some things where expected like the helicopters in MAGTF demo being far away (except the UH-1Z did a couple passes at a distance I thought was perfect) everything else was absolutely fantastic. It was my first time seeing the blues and WOW im still a Thunderbirds guy but they tore it up for sure. I hope tomorrow goes better for anyone that had problems today and is trying again.

[awal2049]

Today's tickets are being honored tomorrow. Hopefully, things will go better. I will probably dip after the Harrier as I got really great MAGTF and Blue Angel videos today.

Also, I didn't realize this, but the MQ-9 is actually a Marine Corps asset from VMUT-2. Didn't know the Marines had those.

Raptor Demo. Looks like I need to buy a filter next.

[RyanS]

A little late notice but I plan to be at the AH-64 tomorrow at 10am if anyone wants to meet up. Would be cool to get some people from the forums. I will have a gray Airshowstuff shirt on

ClickJ, I encourage you to try again tomorrow if you have the energy, several people said they got stopped but tried a diff security area or insisted and they got in. MANY people got similar lenses in just fine.

[Douglas Liu]

I spent hundreds of dollars, drove a thousand miles, and waited in some of the worst air show traffic I’ve experienced only to be denied entry because my 60-600 lens was too long.

A guy told the Marine going through my bag to have me extend the lens, and told him it was too long. I had them both confirm this wasn’t mentioned anywhere at any time, but it was “too long”, the Marine apologized, the guy giving him instructions turned his back to me and and refused any further information or clarification.

I emailed the show asking them to urgently clarify but I don’t expect to hear back in time. So angry and frustrated.

I wish the rest of you better luck

I am so sorry to hear about this. I would have been angry too. This happened to me at Andrews 5/6 years ago, the lady in uniformed at the security check said my Sigma 150-600 was too big, even though nowhere on their website said anything about the lens size limit. I told her that but she just didn't let me in, I simply went to t a different lane to get in. Yesterday I had no problem bringing my 600 F4 and 200-600 lens in. I arrived on the street at 7:20 and was let in around 8:40 in the first wave, no issue with parking or anything. I was wondering why more than half of the paid seating are was empty when they said it was sold it. It turned out a lot of people waited 3 or 4 hours in the traffic just trying to get in the base and park. A lot of people gave up and left. It was a disaster for a lot of people, especially if they had to travel afar and paid for the premium seating.

I think this whole thing about lens size is just ridiculous, it really depends if the staff woke up on the wrong side of the bed or not.

[ClickJ]

I was able to get in today with no issues! No lines for parking or security when I got here a little after 7:30.

I had my long lens in my bag this time and they didn’t even take it out.