Here comes the 20th Annual Apple Valley Airshow
The 20th Annual Apple Valley Airshow and NAPA Auto Parts Car Show is preparing to roar and soar into the High Desert on Oct. 7.
The Apple Valley Airport will host the aviation event, which will include aircraft displays, military vehicles, remote control plane displays, a Kids Zone, a STEM Expo, a beer garden and vendors. The airshow also includes aerobatic performances, jets, military fly-bys, warbirds, a demonstration team, formation flying teams, and skydivers.
The airport is located at 21600 Corwin Road in Apple Valley.
Demonstration Team
This year’s highlights include the Air Force’s A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team with Capt. Lindsay “MAD” Johnson, along with the Air Force Heritage Flight Team performed by Steven Hinton in the P-51 Wee Willy II and Capt. Johnson, organizers said.
This is the first time the Apple Valley Airshow has been granted a full military demo team, with Capt. “MAD” Johnson and 10 team members coming from Davis Monthan Air Force bases in Arizona.
Capt. Johnson has more than 1,250 hours in the A-10 including 431 in combat in support of both Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the Resolute Support Mission.
Aerobatics, skydivers, warbirds
The show’s schedule includes the Dawn Patrol RV Formation Team, breathtaking aerobatics by the Undaunted Airshows formation aerobatics team, air racer Tony Higa in the Pitts S-1S, John Collver in his AT-6/SNJ “Wardog” and Yuichi Takagi in the Pitts.
Also, Torrey Ward in the Micro Jet and Chuck Coleman in the Extra 300L performing extreme aerobatics. Coleman’s flight-trained actors in the movie “Top Gun: Maverick” flew the same airplane he will fly at the airshow.
Skydivers will include the Round Canopy Parachute USA Team paratroopers jumping from the C-53 Skytrooper D-Day Doll.
Visitors will see vintage warbirds like Jason Somes in the MiG-17 jet, two North American P-51 Mustangs from Palm Springs Air Museum and TBM-3E Avenger and SBD-5 Dauntless, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning, the F4U Corsair from Planes of Fame Air Museum and more.
Spectators will have the opportunity to meet pilots and get autographs after their performances.
Vintage car displays, Hot Rod Hotties
On the ground, there will be experimental and vintage airplane static displays, military vehicles, and the NAPA Auto Parts Car Show “Show and Shine” along with Inglis Classics “Hot Rod Hotties.”
The Inglis Classics Pin-Ups, including Miss Lena Devine, Miss Susie James and Motor Mama, will take selfies with visitors as they walk among the cars on the airshow ramp.
If you go
Gates open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is $10 cash only.
Military active duty with ID is $7 cash only.
Children 11 and under are free.
Parking is free.
Airshow rules, suggestions
No animals are allowed except for service animals.
No large coolers and no alcoholic beverages are allowed. Also, no drones, no canopies, or large umbrellas.
Bring folding chairs, sitting blankets, sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, ear plugs and cameras.
Charge your cell phone and bring a backup charger.
Bring cash for vendors and tickets.
For tickets and more information, visit applevalleyairshow.com.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Here comes the 20th Annual Apple Valley Airshow
