For the first time since 2009, the birthplace of supersonic flight is about to have an air show open to the public on-base. And considering the history of Edwards AFB and flight testing done there, the lineup and variety of aircraft will be quite unique from any other air show in the nation.
Taking place on Oct 15-16, the Aerospace Valley Open House, Air Show and STEM Expo has been in works now for 5 years, and will see the 412th Test Wing bring out all their toys. The show will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the USAF and breaking of the sound barrier for the first time on Oct 14, 1947 by then-Capt. Chuck Yeager.
Edwards flew a hybrid air show in 2020, but the public was not allowed on-base due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, they brought the air show to the people by flying around the local county and broadcasting it live online.
The show will bring back Sonic Boom demos, an old Edwards air show tradition. It’s the only show in North America allowed to break the sound barrier. USAF and NASA jets will be “going full steam” to see who can break the sound barrier first. The altitude will be above 28,000 feet and the loudness of the booms will be based on weather conditions, but the crowd will hear and feel it.
“We are working hard with our NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center partner to showcase a unique demonstration of sonic booms- past, present and future” says the show.
STEM will be a focus
It will also focus heavily on STEM, and include the largest STEM expo in USAF history. The iconic Hangar 1600 (seen in Captain Marvel) will be transformed into an “oasis of technology and exploration” says the show. Flight simulators and other tech and fun stuff will be available to the public from over 60 exhibitors.
“Being the center of the aerospace testing universe, and how we develop future technologies, we are uniquely positioned to put some of those technologies on display at a level that is accessible and interactive for the public,” says air show director USAF Major Samuel Freeland.
“Especially with the younger audience, when you’re out there and you watch a 5th gen fighter put on a demonstration, that is the foundation of what gets people there to make those technologies possible.”
Thunderbirds are headlining
The USAF Thunderbirds will headline the show. NASA will be showing off some of their unique aircraft too, including their 747 SOFIA flying telescope. SOFIA will arrive Sat during the show and be on static display after, and leave on Sunday (during or after the show). So it WILL be flying in the show, along with NASA’s DC-8 & jet fleet.
L1011 will be there too
The world’s only flying Lockheed L-1011, Northrop’s Stargazer, will be on static display. And so will a RQ-4 Global Hawk. Every tactical fighter in the USAF inventory will be present. B-1 and B-52 bombers will also roar through the sky.
Edwards AFB airshow promises more surprises
Many surprises are in store too, as the show has been hinting at on their social media.
Lockheed’s Skunk Works will also be bringing out their Darkstar hypersonic jet prototype, featured in this summer’s movie Top Gun Maverick. The plane can’t fly, as it is just a movie prop, but the model does feature a functional working cockpit, and there’s no doubt that Skunk Works is working on the concept for a real plane.
The Chinese even saw Darkstar in satellite inages and thought it was real, which sent them into a panic.
Gregory “WIRED” Colyer from Ace Maker Airshows will be flying his T-33 demo, showing off America’s first fighter jet trainer which helped usher in the jet age 75 years ago.
Edwards actually contracts Colyer as an instructor to support test pilot student training. He flies Qualitative Evaluation missions with the T-33 where students have to figure out a bunch of performance stuff, fly a set of test cards, record the data, then evaluate the jet and write a report.
Other civilian acts will be flying as well. Static displays of vintage aircraft will also be on hand from organizations such as the Golden Age Flight Museum.
The event is free to the public. Gates will open at 8:30am on both days. The base will close when it hits capacity of 50,000 people. Premium VIP viewing options are available to purchase.
Visit www.AVairshow.com for more info.
