Spokane, WA

Sunday August 10th, our family attended the Fairchild Air show at Fairchild Air Force Base in Airway Heights. We went to watch the various planes perform wonderful feats and observe the power of the big jets. It was the day before my birthday and our youngest son thought it would be a great family outing. The day started out a bit cloudy and threatening rain and we did get a few sprinkles but nothing serious.

When we arrived we had no clue how to find the rest of our family the crowds were already large and getting larger. We all had cell phones but with the noise of jet engines, people talking and the announcer it was difficult hearing a phone conversation. No matter we did not get anyone on the phone anyway.

My husband and I examined one of the large aircrafts on display for a bit and snapped some photos of the plane and many of the food pavilions. We then walked over to watch as the air show got underway. It was an all day event with planes putting on a performance. Men and women in uniform drove about in go carts and others paraded in uniforms. We took a photo of some young cadets in training.

We learned some of the things we would need next year, the military call this list my husband was making an after action review. We learned would should have brought folding camp chairs, binoculars, water bottles we could get refilled for free and a shade umbrella or to use in case of rain. A rolling cart would be handy and a lunch as though there were food concessions hamburgers were selling for $4.00 each and were very small. Nachos with cheese were $3.50 and were probably a better deal and hot-dogs $3.00 each. Soda was $1.50 for small, $2.00 large and $2.75 super-sized. There were also souvenir stands selling military badges, airplanes and toys for the kids.

About one o’ clock p.m our son called he had arrived later than he thought and our daughter and her family had just arrived minutes before. We met at the children’s play area and set up our chairs, we watched as various airplanes, bi-planes, and jets took off and performed aerial shows for the watching crowds below.
 

One man went up in an ultra-light and they put on a chase with police cars on the ground and a bi-winged plane doing flips and turns. They commanded the ultra light flier to come down but he kept soaring among the crowds. While the police cars raced up and down the run way. Of course it was only for fun and entertainment.

Planes from world war II went up and flew in unison and did turns, spins and flips. There were huge aircrafts that took off and though they seemed to be flying slow were going 350 miles and hour. The children were given tickets to climb up and slide down the blow up aircrafts and jump among balls. There were other air craft displays too.

One was a cargo plane, the floor had rollers that you could clip cargo boxes to and airlift and drop supplies to troops or for emergency aid and disaster relief. Some of us went to the concession stands and brought back burgers and drinks and my daughter broke out some snacks she had packed. The kids loved the airplanes and various aircraft and enjoyed exploring a hospital first aid plane complete with beds and equipment.

Finally about four o’ clock p.m the Air Force Blue Angels taxied down the run way and began their show. It was awesome how close they could fly in compact unit wing tip to wing tip and not have an accident. Two came from opposite directions one flying high the other low just before they would have otherwise crashed.

We hope to go back next year or the year after when the Blue Angels come back again. Many of the pilots when they came down between shows walked among the crowds and handed out autographs for any asking or would talk about flying and how they became a pilot and why they loved to fly. It was an excellent pre-birthday family outing. Other than concession stands the event was free and a fun filled for the entire family.