The Bethpage Federal Credit Union Airshow at Jones Beach has been a New York Memorial Day tradition for over 10 years. It showcases American Airpower from World War II, all the way up to the modern arena. Usually headlined by an American Jet Team, this airshow attracts hundreds of thousands to Jones Beach. It also attracts world-class airshow performers to show off their stuff. 2015 was no exception, with both the USAF's Thunderbirds and France's Breitling Jet Team in attendance.
With a lineup on the caliber of this show, the parking lots were filled to capacity early. After a traffic jam coming up from Philadelphia, I was able to park like a mile away from the Lighthouse that marks show center. While unaware of whether the show line will extend to the point, I figured it will be easier to just stay put then walk in the hot, noon sand to show center. The sky was filled with advertising banners, resembling a typical beach. Shortly, I met up with a friend of mine from the NYC Spotting Team and we set our cameras for the show.
The traditional show opening ensued with Rob Rieder announcing that the show is set to begin. The Golden Knights flew the flag into show center. Sean D. Tucker also gave a short teaser performance in the Oracle Challenger III. This was followed up by Dell Coller flying the Jack Links Extra 300L, John Klatt and Jeff Boerboon flying Max Adreneline, Matt Chapman in the Embry-Riddle Eagle 580, and David Windmiller flying the Cradle of Aviation Edge 540. If I would have organized this airshow, I would have definitely tried to avoid the repetition of similar acts at the beginning of the show. I was okay with it, but I'm sure most people would have wanted to see some variety in the beginning.
The traditional Jones Beach Warbird Flight then flew the next act. The Yankee Air Museum's B-17G "Yankee Lady" opened it up. It was followed by a formation of the B-25 Miss Hap flown by Mike Kennedy, the P-40 Jacky C flown by Thom Richard, and the F4U Skyboss, flown by Dan Dameo. The late, great Bill Gordon also flew a Texan in some passes. Notably, there was a B-29, B-24, P-47, two P-51s and C-47 at FRG that did not take part in the flight. I found this surprising, as there have been instances of FiFi flying in this flight. Scooter also had a Mustang there, and I would have loved to see him in the flight. Oh well. The Corsair flown by Dan Dameo had an amazing aerobatic performance afterwards. There was also a cool moment when Dameo buzzed at like 100 feet above my head. He knew where the photogs were!
CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
With a lineup on the caliber of this show, the parking lots were filled to capacity early. After a traffic jam coming up from Philadelphia, I was able to park like a mile away from the Lighthouse that marks show center. While unaware of whether the show line will extend to the point, I figured it will be easier to just stay put then walk in the hot, noon sand to show center. The sky was filled with advertising banners, resembling a typical beach. Shortly, I met up with a friend of mine from the NYC Spotting Team and we set our cameras for the show.
The traditional show opening ensued with Rob Rieder announcing that the show is set to begin. The Golden Knights flew the flag into show center. Sean D. Tucker also gave a short teaser performance in the Oracle Challenger III. This was followed up by Dell Coller flying the Jack Links Extra 300L, John Klatt and Jeff Boerboon flying Max Adreneline, Matt Chapman in the Embry-Riddle Eagle 580, and David Windmiller flying the Cradle of Aviation Edge 540. If I would have organized this airshow, I would have definitely tried to avoid the repetition of similar acts at the beginning of the show. I was okay with it, but I'm sure most people would have wanted to see some variety in the beginning.
The traditional Jones Beach Warbird Flight then flew the next act. The Yankee Air Museum's B-17G "Yankee Lady" opened it up. It was followed by a formation of the B-25 Miss Hap flown by Mike Kennedy, the P-40 Jacky C flown by Thom Richard, and the F4U Skyboss, flown by Dan Dameo. The late, great Bill Gordon also flew a Texan in some passes. Notably, there was a B-29, B-24, P-47, two P-51s and C-47 at FRG that did not take part in the flight. I found this surprising, as there have been instances of FiFi flying in this flight. Scooter also had a Mustang there, and I would have loved to see him in the flight. Oh well. The Corsair flown by Dan Dameo had an amazing aerobatic performance afterwards. There was also a cool moment when Dameo buzzed at like 100 feet above my head. He knew where the photogs were!
CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
PERFORMER PROFILE: BREITLING JET TEAM
New to the American airshow circuit for this year was the Breitling Jet Team. This was their third American airshow performance, and fans from the entire East Coast flocked to Jones Beach to see them. I honestly didn't know what to expect out of their performance, as I have seen all sorts of L-39 performances in my life. The show started with an overhead entry with all seven planes going into a cloverloop. It was really cool how they executed formations with seven planes, as we Americans are used to six-ship shows. While the opening was sort of traditional, the other parts of the show were what blew me away. The break-cross, Super Ocean Master Wave, Jones Beach Crossing, and their spectacular closing pass made everyone on the beach awe in excitement.
Oh yeah. I didn't do any research on any parts of their show so I would be surprised by the show. Bad photography mistake! The closing pass had flares being shot out of the planes, and it figured that I didn't have my camera on them. Oh well, I was able to see them perform twice on their 2016 tour. I must say they're right up there with the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, and Black Diamond Jet Team.
New to the American airshow circuit for this year was the Breitling Jet Team. This was their third American airshow performance, and fans from the entire East Coast flocked to Jones Beach to see them. I honestly didn't know what to expect out of their performance, as I have seen all sorts of L-39 performances in my life. The show started with an overhead entry with all seven planes going into a cloverloop. It was really cool how they executed formations with seven planes, as we Americans are used to six-ship shows. While the opening was sort of traditional, the other parts of the show were what blew me away. The break-cross, Super Ocean Master Wave, Jones Beach Crossing, and their spectacular closing pass made everyone on the beach awe in excitement.
Oh yeah. I didn't do any research on any parts of their show so I would be surprised by the show. Bad photography mistake! The closing pass had flares being shot out of the planes, and it figured that I didn't have my camera on them. Oh well, I was able to see them perform twice on their 2016 tour. I must say they're right up there with the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, and Black Diamond Jet Team.
The second half of the show began with John Klatt flying his solo routine in the Air Guard MXS. The Golden Knights then did their second jump of the show. The always-impressive Screamin' Sasquatch Waco flew a routine, showing a Waco with a CJ610 engine strapped on the bottom. That thing can climb! Another rumble filled the air next. The sounds of round! The GEICO Skytypers flew their six SNJ-2 Texans, and raced the Miss GEICO Speedboat for their show. Sean D. Tucker then took to stage for his second show. After a huge twenty-minute gap, the Thunderbirds took to the sky to conclude the show in traditional fashion.
RATING: 9/10
PROS:
- An airshow of international proportions featuring the USAF Thunderbirds and the Breitling Jet Team.
- Great array of warbirds flying (B-17, B-25, P-40, F4U, and T-6)
- Sunny all day (a thunderstorm did move in shortly after the airshow)
- Full beach, but almost no traffic coming into the beach.
- Great lighting for the last couple of acts.
CONS:
- No schedule released prior to the airshow, so the Breitling Jet Team snuck up on me.
- There was a B-24, B-29, like three P-51s, a P-47, C-45, C-47, and numerous other Texans at FRG that didn't fly for the airshow.
- No Navy representation.
- Not that good of a variety (Too many aerobatic planes)
- A cold 50 degree day at the beach is not for the faint-hearted.
Jones Beach and Atlantic City are attended on an almost yearly basis. I always debate which show is better. Jones Beach gets more civilian acts, while Atlantic City tries to throw in as much balance as they can. However, the May date of Jones Beach always edges out the August Atlantic City. This results in unbearable heat and haze for the Atlantic City show, adding to the painfully backlit conditions. The better show is really up for debate.
PROS:
- An airshow of international proportions featuring the USAF Thunderbirds and the Breitling Jet Team.
- Great array of warbirds flying (B-17, B-25, P-40, F4U, and T-6)
- Sunny all day (a thunderstorm did move in shortly after the airshow)
- Full beach, but almost no traffic coming into the beach.
- Great lighting for the last couple of acts.
CONS:
- No schedule released prior to the airshow, so the Breitling Jet Team snuck up on me.
- There was a B-24, B-29, like three P-51s, a P-47, C-45, C-47, and numerous other Texans at FRG that didn't fly for the airshow.
- No Navy representation.
- Not that good of a variety (Too many aerobatic planes)
- A cold 50 degree day at the beach is not for the faint-hearted.
Jones Beach and Atlantic City are attended on an almost yearly basis. I always debate which show is better. Jones Beach gets more civilian acts, while Atlantic City tries to throw in as much balance as they can. However, the May date of Jones Beach always edges out the August Atlantic City. This results in unbearable heat and haze for the Atlantic City show, adding to the painfully backlit conditions. The better show is really up for debate.