Hey Guys....
The event is from 4 till 9pm in the evening as listed in the flier. We tested that time frame last year for the first time at our field. It gives the event a very different vibe. Everyone really enjoyed the time frame.
Our field is laid out so that the sun is behind you at that time of day and the light on the field is terrific for photography. In the morning the sun is right in your eyes and closes part of the airspace due to trying not to look into the sun.
Having a late start time also allows the odd maiden or test in the morning before the event, if needed. We close the field to flying about 1pm or so to set up for the event by putting out proper flags, laminated WWi and WWII recruiting posters on the fencing, concessions set up and crowd control tapes/etc. We reopen the airspace at 4pm right after the Pilots Meeting and National Anthem.
The event is a festival of all things warbird and the evening setting has been a big hit.
This year we also have our first ever Flying Circus on August 27th, and that will be the same time structure. Our core group of flyers gather each Tuesday all summer long after work to fly warbirds together. We wanted to share that experience of evening fellowship under ideal conditions with our guests. It turns the food/concessions into a dinner type event which just has a different feel than grabbing a hotdog and packing up about 3 or 4pm in the traditional style of event which we had done for many years. Last year we had 8oz Ribeyes donated as a thank you to every pilot who attended. We appreciate the effort it takes to come to an event from somewhere else and the possible risk to your cool aircraft.
This year, since it's a "Pacific Theater" themed event we have some special things happening. The first 50 pilots get a free Kona Ice treat that includes a Lei Necklace. Also planned are Dash Board Hula Dancers as prizes, Some Hawaiian Shirts as Prizes, a Japanese Aircraft Carrier for target practice when ever you'd like it, and some special guests as a surprise while we count the pilots choice ballots. The pilots choice and special guest portion of the event only shutdown the airspace for about 1/2 hour total. No Demo flights, No other intrusions.... Just a great fun evening with lots of air time available....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9uc7O3ZNdE
We always have period music, news reels, movie themes, and national anthems or war marches/music from all various countries as a background soundtrack at the event. This year the soundtrack is tailored to the Pacific Theater.... Including lots of Hawaiian Slide Guitar from the period, Music of the Islands, chants, and themes you'll not hear at other events. It really sets the stage for a great evening. If we get lots of WWI or Jet era aircraft we'll play appropriate WWI or Jet era sounds for about an hour after dinner.... You can fly what ever you'd like no matter what's playing..... We just ask you respect each other and work together and keep thing similar.
Just like the weather here in Michigan.... Just wait about 6 minutes and the skies will change..... lol. It makes for a great and varied event.
Here are a couple videos of past events.
The first one is the traditional morning event and the ceremony that ran from 9:40-10am when the flight line was opened. Yup, that's me in a kilt!
The second is from last years evening event that we got in despite Michigan weather had been rainy all week before the event and all week after the event..... During our event it just stayed overcast and even cleared for a bit, but no rain !! Yeaaay....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPfeV3r6Usw&nohtml5=False
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfxF6cqqz4s&nohtml5=False
I hope some RCUer's will join us for a relaxed evening of warbird flying and sorties over the skies of PMAC !!
June 11th, from 4-9pm
Joe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rfLz6l5GyA&nohtml5=False