Day 1 thru the eyes of a child at their first air show
Let’s face it, air shows are awesome It’s why most people are reading this at all. But do we remember what it felt like the first time we heard and saw these amazing planes roaring and piercing thru the sky?
I am STILL mesmerized at the spectacle that is Cleveland National Air Show. Sunshine, skylines, Lake Erie, the sights of past meeting present in the air above and the joy painted across everyone’s faces.
As I approach (joints creak) 50-years old, I wanted to think about the amazement we experienced as kids the first time we saw a plane soar overhead. So on Saturday, I picked up my camera and followed 7-year old Max and his Uncle Rick and many other families, as Max was treated to his first ever air show, including viewing the US Air Force Thunderbirds and a special visit with the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.
Max wsa full of questions as we walked thru the gates on Saturday. His curiosity turned into stunned amazement as we walked off of a C-130 aircraft on display from the U.S. Air Force National Guard and a Navy F-15 ripped thru the sky overhead. I will never forget that look on his face, because he could not even see the plane or where it went. The next pass – “Whoa!”
Max got to see the entire FA-18 Super Hornet display from yet another US Navy performance. The same jets used by the famed Blue Angels.
What happened after that was a fun day of wonder and adventure. We may have mixed in a little pre-planned debauchery. See, being the adults that we are – we like to create opportunities to really ramp up the shock & awe meter. So Rick and I may have casually eluded to Max that we had to leave and may not get to see the Thunderbirds performance. But, me knowing full well what time they would start, I timed our exit near center show and casually got Max to look at another display from the US Marines in the opposite direction.
You can see the video of what happened next…
