Photographer's notebook

Wonder in flight

By JEFFREY SIDLE
Posted 6/7/23

LONG POND, PA — Blue sky and warm temperatures enveloped the Memorial Day weekend, making for perfect conditions for the Great Pocono Raceway Air Show.

Some residents and visitors were …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
Photographer's notebook

Wonder in flight

Posted

LONG POND, PA — Blue sky and warm temperatures enveloped the Memorial Day weekend, making for perfect conditions for the Great Pocono Raceway Air Show.

Some residents and visitors were able to catch glimpses of a few of the headliner jets as they flew over Wayne and Pike counties from their staging area at the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Avoca airport.

I was excited to be granted press access and attended both Saturday and Sunday shows, spending time with well-seasoned air show photographers on top of the skybox section right at show center. This gave me an opportunity to create some awe-inspiring images of the show.

The U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-22 Demo Team was the first to perform, giving a dynamic display of power and maneuverability of this fifth-generation air dominance fighter aircraft. The aircraft is capable of slow flight, enabling it to make a crowd-pleasing tandem pass with a World War II P-51, which is known as the USAF Heritage Flight. The thunderous roar of the jet engine as the aircraft banked around the airspace above the raceway and engaged the afterburners was an immersive experience of sight, sound and vibration!

Headlining the show were the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. This demonstration squadron was formed in 1946 and is the second-oldest formal aerobatic team in the world. Flying Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets, they are a crowd-pleaser whenever they fly. Having performed for more than 500 million fans, the Blue Angels are a reminder of excellence and service to country. 

Their performances were spectacular and their precise flight formations, at times just 18 inches apart, are a jaw-dropping experience to witness. The opposing passes of two jet aircraft coming from each end of the straightaway and criss-crossing directly in front of the spectators at show center while traveling at an excess of 400 mph is a sight to behold and a challenge to photograph.

Rounding out the show between the military aircraft was a vintage Vampire jet warbird piloted by Jerry “Vlad” Conley. 

Rob Holland piloted the MXS-RH—a one-of-a-kind, all-carbon-fiber competition and air show-ready aircraft—and Rick Volker in his Sukhoi SU-26M took their propeller-driven planes to the very limits of their capabilities. They were all crowd pleasers, with their barrel rolls, dives, loops and smoke trails grabbing everyone’s attention. 

The U.S. Coast Guard also performed a mock search-and-rescue mission using the MH-65 helicopter.

Another opportunity within an easy drive to witness the thrills of an air show will take place at the Orange County Airport in Montgomery, NY on the weekend of June 24 and 25. The headliners for this show will also be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

blue sky, warm temperatures, memorial day weekend, great pocono raceway air show

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here