EDWARDS AFB — Plans are shortly growing for the primary air show at Edwards Air Force Base in 13 years, set for Oct. 15 and 16.
The Aerospace Valley Air Show will showcase not solely the Air Force’s premier flight check facility, but additionally all the aerospace group of the Antelope Valley, highlighting different services and corporations such because the Mojave Air and Space Port, NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center and Air Force Plant 42.
Headlining the free two-day occasion would be the Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration workforce. They will probably be joined by an unlimited array of aerial efficiency and static shows representing almost each plane within the Air Force stock, Chase Kohler of the 412th Public Affairs workplace mentioned.
“It’s a rare opportunity to get pretty much every aircraft in the Air Force inventory either in the air or on the ground,” he mentioned.
Among the plane anticipated are the F-22, F-35, T-38, F-16, B-1 and B-52 bombers and KC-135 tanker. NASA may also be offering plenty of plane.
The occasion will commemorate the seventy fifth anniversaries of the Air Force and the primary supersonic flight, by then-Capt. Chuck Yeager within the skies over Edwards AFB.
To have fun that first sonic increase and make the most of holding a uncommon air show beneath a supersonic hall, the air show will function Air Force and NASA jets “going full steam” to see which may break the sound barrier first.
“We want to heighten that and showcase that, because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime for air shows to be able to actually go past Mach .99 and actually hit that sonic boom,” Kohler mentioned.
The crowd will be unable to see the plane as they are going to be at altitude, however “they’re definitely going to hear them and feel them,” he mentioned. “We’re just really excited to showcase that unique part.”
This air show may also function what organizers consider is the biggest STEM Expo in Air Force historical past.
This large occasion will function greater than 60 exhibitors in Edwards’ largest hanger, all that includes hands-on, interactive actions to advertise science, expertise, engineering and math.
On Oct. 14, the bottom will host greater than 12,000 college students, coming from an space stretching from Fresno to San Diego, for the STEM Expo, the place they’ll spend the day.
“These will all be hands-on exhibits where the students can build, play, get their hands dirty, so to speak, and really connect to what makes the airplanes go,” Kohler mentioned.
Although the thrilling airplanes are what draw individuals in, “it’s the STEM we’re trying to inspire the next generation to get into these careers,” he mentioned. “Aerospace depends on our next generation.”
This STEM day occasion is closed to most people, however the STEM Expo displays will probably be open throughout the two-day public occasion.
Joining the Thunderbirds on the air show schedule is the Air Mobility Command C-17 West Coast Demonstration Team, showcasing the usually unheralded capabilities of the therapeutic massage cargo jet.
The US Air Force Wings of Blue Parachute Team, from the Air Force Academy, may also carry out.
Other performers will probably be named, within the coming months, as plans are finalized.
The Aerospace Valley Air Show can also be looking for 1000’s of volunteers to assist make it successful.
“We need the community to come together,” Kohler mentioned.
