Take Flight at the Cleveland National Air Show

 

Navy Blue Angels

Aviation enthusiasts will flock to Ohio on Labor Day weekend to catch one of the most spectacular air shows in the country. The Cleveland National Air Show was listed among the 101 Best Aviation Attractions in the latest guidebook by McGraw-Hill.

 

As an air show groupie, I have to agree!

The 2012 Cleveland National Air Show being held September 1, 2 & 3 at Burke Lakefront Airport looks like it will live up to its much deserved reputation. This year’s air show salutes the U.S. Navy in the air, on the ground and in the water.

The Navy Blue Angels take flight every day of the show. The famous performance team will showcase their choreographed precision flying maneuvers including the four-plane Diamond formation, six-jet Delta formation and a series of acrobatics that demonstrate naval aviator skills. The Blue Angels performance at the air show coincides with Navy week in Cleveland. (The city is one of 15 in the country selected to host the prestigious week of events)

Shockwave truck

A Sunday-only spectacle on the Cleveland waterfront will be quite a site. Navy ships will parade to the shores to commemorate the War of 1812. Cleveland is a signature city in this three-year celebration of the Navy’s salute to the war and the Star Spangled Banner.

Besides the Navy tributes at the show, there are plenty of air acrobatics and stunts that defy logic. One of my favorite Cleveland Air show stunts is the Shockwave Jet Truck, a semi that is outfitted with a jet engine that barrels more than 300 miles per hour as it races an airplane. The roar of the engine always leaves my jaw on the ground. No matter how many times I have seen this act, it gets my heart pounding every time.

 

Ground displays

When you want to give your neck a break from looking up into the sky, check out the ground displays that showcase the development in aviation. There also are plenty of kid’s activities, including autograph sessions with performing pilots!

 

The Cleveland Air Show is a must-see, thrilling, full day of fun for the entire family.