Psychologists will tell you that people can be lumped into groups based on personality profiles. While everyone exhibits all of the basic traits to some extent, it’s the mixture of these traits that define us individuals. Even natural born leaders can be broken into two groups. Some of us are brash and bold Mavericks; some are more cool and calculated Icemen. I suppose the followers in this world can be called the loyal and slightly unlucky Geese.

Despite the horrible movie clichés, we think aircraft are super cool. If you are lucky enough to live near a big military base you can see a world-class collection of both military and civilian planes and helicopters on an annual basis. In San Diego California The United States Marines host what is considered by many to be one of the best air shows in the world. This year seemed a little smaller than usual, which is understandable given current economic conditions and the fact we are fighting wars in two different theatres. Even with the condensed size, the show was still amazing.

While the main draw to the show is usually the aerobatic performances, static displays allow fans to get up close and personal with their favorite aircraft. As usual, a mammoth C5 Galaxy was on hand. Being the biggest plane in the US military walking the length of this flying giant puts its 247-foot length in perspective. Most of the usual fighter aircraft were represented with the notable absence of an F14 and the newest F22. None of the planes were roped off and visitors were even able to sit in several cockpits.

In the air is where the real entertainment happens. Fans of glorious mechanical sounds bask in a wide variety of the audible nirvana. Piston engine aircraft thunder overhead like a track full of Can-Am cars. You don’t hear big pounding engines like this anymore, even at racetracks. The P-51 Mustang is pulled through the air by a 27-liter supercharged V12, if that doesn’t get you excited turn in your man-card. For those who prefer the more high-tech scream the jet age everything from the Red Bull Russian built MIG 17F to The Blue Angles flying F/A-18s were on hand.

The most breath taking aerobatic flight of the day would have to go to Sean Tucker in the Oracle Challenger. The custom built biplane can develop twice as much thrust as the planes weight. This gives the Challenger the ability to hover in the air facing straight up. Sean waves a single finger salute at physics with the way he can tumble the plane through the air. Seeing a plane pinwheel in the air is exciting, if not at times even disconcerting. Several stunts in the show caused a collective breath holding from the crowd. Everyone was wondering; did he mean to do that. Apparently he did.

The finale for air shows always seems to be either the Navy’s Blue Angles or the Air Forces Thunderbirds. This year’s performance by The Blue Angels was both typically astounding and astoundingly typical. The performance always seems to be more of an air born ballet than a show of military might. The irony of something so deadly performing so gracefully is more relevant now, than ever. Planes identical to these are protecting our interests on the opposite side of the globe. Which in the end is what the air show is all about. It is not only a celebration of aircraft, but more importantly, a reminder of the freedoms we have partially afforded by not only the aircraft, but the men and women that keep them flying.

The air show season is winding down heading into winter, but start making plans for next year. You can check out a calendar of shows at milavia.net to find a show near you. HERE

Miramar Air Show 2009 W/ The Blue Angels from Michael Febbo on Vimeo.