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  ALL EYES TO THE SKY AS BLUE ANGELS SOAR OVER GRAND JUNCTION By Nancy Yackel
Blue Angel appearances on both Saturday and Sunday will showcase graceful aerobatic maneuvers in a four-plane diamond formation, fast-paced high-performance flights of two solo pilots, and the precise flying required when six jets maneuver into a single delta formation. Another event highlight is the Marine Corps-operated Fat Albert Airlines, a Lockheed-Martin C-130T Hercules used for jet-assisted takeoff demonstrations. Eight solid-fuel rocket bottles thrust the mammoth transport skyward within only 1,500 feet of space to simulate conditions in hostile environments or on short, unprepared runways. More than just planes A variety of other aerial performers are also on tap during the three-day event. The U.S. Army parachute team, The Golden Knights, will use maneuvers known as Baton Pass, Cutaway and Diamond Track to show the amount of control a jumper has while falling
Sure to inspire audiences, hang glider Dan Buchanan wheels, circles and dives to musical accompaniment and his own narration via radio link. After a leg-paralyzing accident back in 1981, Dan returned to the sport he loves – and more than 1,000 air show appearances prove Dan's tenacity and adventurous spirit. When asked why he does it, Dan's usual smiling response is, "I have to fly... I can't walk!" A complete renovation transformed a former crop sprayer into Gene Soucy's Showcat, a biplane that twists and spins as wing-walker Teresa Stokes thrills onlookers. Husband-wife team Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver pilot the Oregon Aero Skydancer, with Steve guiding the craft through an
Les Shockley takes jet power to the ground with his Shockwave semi-truck. Outfitted with three Pratt & Whitney engines, the 6,800-pound jet truck accelerates from 0 to 300 mph in only 11 seconds. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the Shockwave also holds the speed record for full-size trucks at 376 mph. Friday night's show concludes with an impressive firework display. A popular event "The air show is a much-anticipated fall event, not only for Grand Junction but the surrounding area as well," says Grand Junction's mayor, Gregg Palmer. "It's a great opportunity to renew our interest in flight, both military and civilian, and see state-of-the-art aircraft, precision flying and aerobatics. It's hard to attend and not come away awe-struck and filled with pride in America." Combination and individual day tickets may be purchased at Alpine Bank locations throughout Western Colorado, at area Safeway and Albertson stores, or by phone from the Grand Junction Air Show office at 970-242-9691. For more information online, visit www.gjairshow.com. Elsewhere around town Also planned this same weekend is a car show sponsored by the Grand Junction Downtown Association and Fruita's 94th Annual Fall Festival with competitions, Art in the Park, a parade, street dance, magic show and carnival. Free entertainment during the festival includes more than a dozen bluegrass and western music groups appearing on two stages. For more information on these events, visit www.visitgrandjunction.com. |
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