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Air Show - May 24 & 25, 2014

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World Renowned Naval Aviators the Blue Angels will peform over Jones Beach during this year's Memorial Day Weekend celebration. The Blue Angels suspended air shows in 2013 because of federal budget cuts, known as the budget sequestration.  The sequestration remains in effect, but the Angels have booked 65 shows in 34 U.S. locations, according to a press release.  "Our peformances provide a unique opportunity to inspire millions to connect with and support our service members, and we are looking forward to an exciting 2014 season," said Blue Angels' commanding officer and flight leader Commander Thomas Frosch.  The Angles fly F/A-18 Hornets.  LIVE FEED
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Starring: U.S. Navy Blue Angels

also performing:   Military:   U.S. Army Golden Knights    USMC MV-22 Osprey  US NAVY Parachute Team “The Leap Frogs”
Civilian:   GEICO Skytypers  Miss GEICO Powerboat v.s. GEICO Skytypers Race  Sean D. Tucker – Aviation Specialties: Oracle Challenger III  Misty Blues All Women Skydiving Team  Matt Chapman Airshows: Embry-Riddle Eagle 580  David Windmiller: Bethpage Waterfiller Zivko Edge 540  Carl Skinner T-28 Trojan  John Klatt Airshows Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco Aerobatic Team  B-17 Yankee Lady  American Airpower Museum Warbirds Red Bull Air Force
Static Display:  NY Guard Military Vehicles  Announcer: Rob Reider  Airboss: Wayne Boggs
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SAT-5/24  & SUN-5/25  ...  10AM - 3PM
JB Airshow Guide Click Here

Admission Price: FREE
Parking Cost: $10.00
Train/Bus Service: http://web.mta.info/lirr/getaways/beach/JonesBeach.htm

Get there early. In the past, this show has easily seen 200,000 people fill up the beach on a single day. It is not unusual for the parking lots to be filled by 11:00am (if not earlier). When this happens, the parkways are closed and people are turned away. So, it is probably a good idea to arrive before 10:00am, or as early as reasonably possible.

SUNSCREEN. Bring it. You will be in the sun for over five hours. Trust me, you will need plenty of it.

BAGS, BACKPACKS, AND COOLERS ARE OK (this is a beach you know), but keep in mind THEY WILL BE SEARCHED so don't bring too much stuff along with you. It will also get crowded near show-center, and extra baggage could make movement difficult. There is a nice fast-food style restaurant on the East end of the beach, and refreshment vendors will be located along the boardwalk. If you want to keep costs low, you may want to bring along your own drinks and snacks. There will be no bleachers or seating of any sort (with the exception of the VIP Chalets that require a separate entry fee purchased before the show), so bring a blanket to sit on, or a foldable chair. If you plan on sitting close to the water, you might want to bring a jacket or long-sleeved shirt. Even though the air temperature may be warm, the waters will still be cold and can cause the area right by the shoreline to be surprisingly chilly.

EARPLUGS are suggested for the younger viewers (under 3 years), but aren't a bad idea for some of the grown-up viewers as well. The jets can get loud, and you might get stuck next to some annoying guy who won't shut up about his cats.

Photography is always fun at an air show, but there are several things to keep in mind, and you should know the limits of your camera. Even though the planes will be close, they will still be far enough away that you will need a decent amount of zoom. The beach faces South, directly into the sun, so most everything will be backlit all day. Also, the air tends to get quite hazy, making it difficult to get a crisp shot. Don't let these handicaps prevent you from bringing your camera, however. You never know what kind of moments you will be able to capture.

KITES ARE PROHIBITED. They can easily distract the performers, and that could result in some rather nasty stuff. Please leave these flying machines at home.

NO PETS. Of course, this excludes animals that aid the handicapped. Unless that animal happens to be a ferret, and if you are using a ferret to lead you around everywhere, you will probably have trouble getting to the show in the first place.  f-18 sh  U.S. Navy  F-18 Super Hornet click here 

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Watching the Show

There are two ways that one can watch the show: from the beach or from a boat. Some have asked me if the show can be seen from other surrounding beaches, and the answer is probably yes. However, you will be nowhere near airhsow center (where all the action takes place and the acts are centered around) and you will not hear Mr. Reider's commentary. So for the best viewing experience, stay with Jones Beach itself.
For those with boats, the show can be viewed from Zach's Bay or from the ocean. However, there are restrictions as to where in the ocean the show can be watched. I was able to find these parameters for the 2005 show, and I can only assume that they will be the same for this year. And if they aren't exactly the same, the worst that can happen is the Coast Guard will yell at you and tell you to move. No biggie.

"Sec.  165.T01-033  Safety Zone; Jones Beach Air show, Jones Beach,  Wantagh, NY. ..  (a) Location. Beginning at a point on land located in Jones Beach State Park at approximate position 40[deg]35'06'' N, 073[deg]32'37'' W,  then running east along the shoreline of Jones Beach State Park to approximate position 40[deg]35'49'' N, 073[deg]28'47'' W; then running south to an position in the Atlantic Ocean off of Jones Beach at approximate position 40[deg]34'23'' N, 073[deg]32'23'' W; then running west to approximate position 40[deg]35'05'' N, 073[deg]28'34'' W; then running north to the point of beginning at approximate position 40[deg]35'06'' N, 073[deg]32'37'' W. All coordinates are North American Datum 1983."

The Airport

With all of these great planes flying about, they've got to take off and land from somewhere. That somewhere is Republic Airport in Farmingdale. You can get up close and personal with some of the planes and performers at the Americn Airpower Museum after the show. Also, many people elect to spend an entire day at the airport watching the acts depart and arrive. Most of the performers will be based here with the exception of the F-22 and the 106th ANG, who will stage from Gabreski Airport in Westhampton. Aircraft locations could change as close as the day before the show, and I'll do my best to keep track of everything.

About the Airport

For all the little facts and figures that some of you aviation nerds may want to know, they can all be found at http://www.airnav.com/airport/KFRG. But if you are an aviation nerd, you probably know all that stuff already.

KFRG map

Here's a map depicting all of the key viewing areas. Once you are in the area, it is quite easy to locate the spots by simply driving circles around the airport. There are two runways; 14-32 and 1-19. The active runway is usually chosen based on the wind conditions. During the air show, runway 14-32 is usually used by the jets, including the Thunderbirds, since it is the longest and has arresting cables. The smaller aircraft usually use 1-19.

1) The American Airpower Museum (Admission Is Required): Good for: Parked aircraft, Landing/Departing 19.
Not only is this an excellent museum that covers the deep aviation history of Long Island, this is where all of the warbirds will be parked, along with several other civilian and military acts. This is where you can get up-close and personal with the planes and performers. It is definitely worth your while to stop in for a little bit and check out what they have to offer. Want to take a ride on the B-17? This is where you sign up.

2) New Highway: Good for: Landing/Departing 14 or 32.
A long stretch of road that runs along and around the south side of runway 14-32. There is plenty of room on both sides of the road to pull over and watch the action. It's a great place to watch the big jets depart and land, but it can be rather dead during the day, as most of the smaller aircraft will be using the other runway (unless the wind dictates otherwise). Watch your speed and keep an eye out for potholes; there have been several accidents here because people accidentally drive off the road, get into a rut, try to pull back on too fast, and end up flipping themselves over. Not too cool.

3) Main Terminal: Good for: Parked Thunderbirds, Landing/Departing 1
There is a small parking lot behind the Air Traffic Control Tower. It fills up fast, so you will want to get there early if you want to stay in that spot. It provides an excellent view of the terminal parking area, where the Thunderbirds will be parked, so you will be able to see them saddle up in the jets and taxi to the runway. You can also get a good view of the landings and departures on runway 1-19.

4) Home Depot Parking Lot: Good For: Landing/Departing 14.
Excellent views at the beginning of runway 14. Plenty of parking around the area, so you will easily find the angle you are looking for. However, be courteous to the store owners and try not to park near the stores, unless you plan on shopping there.

5) Dave and Buster's Parking Lot: Good For: Landing 19.
Excellent views at the beginning of runway 19. Once again, plenty of parking, but try to avoid parking near the storefronts.

Keep in mind that there is an 8-foot chain linked fence surrounding the airport, so this may impede your view. Be sure to obey all parking laws.

Directions to the American Airpower Museum:
Long Island Expressway
Visitors may arrive at the museum from the Long Island Expressway by exiting south on Exit 49, Route 110. Following the LIRR trestle, make a left on Conklin Avenue, proceed to New Highway and turn right. Pass two hangars and make a right hand turn into museum parking. The museum entrance is the red door at the hangar marked "American Airpower Museum."


Southern State Parkway
From the Southern State, travel north from the Route 110 exit, make a right at Conklin Avenue following the Home Depot retail complex and make another right at New Highway.


 


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