WORDS & PHOTOS: JACOB RUTLEDGE
Like Tom Cruise told Hondo in Top Gun: Maverick, “it’s been a minute” since I last attended the Dayton Air Show. Five years to be exact. Between COVID restrictions starting in 2020 and various other scheduling conflicts, 2024 was my first year back. This year marks the fifth decade the Dayton Air Show has entertained and inspired. It only felt right to come back to celebrate its 50th birthday.
I’ll start by saying that one of my favorite parts about the Dayton Air Show is gone. I’m referencing the Photo Pit. I used to call the Photo Pit “The Great Equalizer.” You could make an argument that the Dayton Air Show Photo Pit is where I started to get serious about my air show photography over a decade ago. The Photo Pit was up front against the fence and at show center. For a small fee, you had access to show center, all the water you could drink, a chair, a portable toilet just for the photographers, and a tent for shade. I’m sad to report that it has been replaced with pavilion seating, but all is not lost.
This is an untested approach, but I did see some camera tripods lined up against the fence in some of the newer premium seating areas. If one were to make friends with the folks up front, I don’t think a spot by the fence would be a problem as long as you were courteous and kind.
I paid $99 for the Sunday early access pass, which allows you in the gates two hours before everyone else, includes show admission, and media parking lot parking. Media Parking alone is a huge perk when it comes time to leave. Early access can also be leveraged to get people free pictures of the static displays and snag a spot along the fence line before general admission ticket holders are allowed to enter the grounds. Given the Photo Pit is gone, I think this may become a popular option as time goes on.
I attended the Sunday show, which was the cooler of the two days courtesy of a cold front that came through almost immediately after entering the site early. I was able to take refuge under the wing of a B-52, which is highly effective as an umbrella, even against the blowing rain.
This brings me to the static displays. The Dayton Air Show has consistently supported a strong static display of many you can tour. Outside of the B-52, I was able to get close enough to the A-10, F-15, and E/A-18G to touch if I chose to. The F-15 and F-35 had the traditional caution tape around them, but I loved the fact that the public could see such a variety of aircraft up close and personal. There were a couple of statics missing, most notably the MQ-9 Reaper. I have yet to see one in person and had been looking forward to it.
I toured the statics, checking off a walk-through of the CH-47 Chinook, until the gates opened at 9am, then went to the fence line to see what it looked like. There were a ton of spots open right along the fence even at 9:30. My guess is that the rain delayed spectators’ arrival. By the time the Blue Angels flew at 3pm, the place was packed.
While cooler temperatures prevailed compared to the Saturday show, so did low ceilings. The US Army Golden Knights were unable to jump due to low ceilings, but they did send their DHC-8 and jumpers to showcase their aircraft. Rotary performers can be a huge asset to any airshow when low ceilings prevail, and so the United States Coast Guard conducted a mock Search and Rescue Mission with the MH-65. The Dayton Air Show is landlocked, thus no water demonstrations were possible, however, they did loiter at air show center with the Sierra Nevada hangar in the background. While the hangar itself is a new addition since I last attended, the big treat was an ex-Korean Air Boeing 747-8i (Reg N747US) sitting out front on the ramp. The aircraft is currently planned for conversion as a E-4B Nightwatch replacement.
Two T-38C Talons from Whiteman AFB performed several low, flat passes against gloomy skies ahead of a vintage aviation segment. The T-34 Association performed a wonderful display, and P-51D Mustang “Swamp Fox” was a highlight. The Tora Tora Tora team put on a mock bombing run that attempts to recreate the sights and sounds Pearl Harbor base inhabitants might have heard on December 7, 1941. It’s a compelling, overstimulating demo complete with what appears to be aircraft flying in all different directions and pyrotechnics. Lots of pyrotechnics. The sky soon filled with smoke, and aircraft were difficult to see and track behind the smoke. All of this is closely coordinated, but to the untrained eye, it appears chaotic and maybe even a little dangerous. That is the magic of Tora Tora Tora.
The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team fired up the jet immediately after a brief rain shower and took to the skies. Sadly, the demonstration was terminated early because of the low ceiling, but I was pleased to have captured some images of it in a high-humidity environment. I saw the F-16 Viper Demo Team perform at Thunder Over Louisville earlier this year, but they didn’t bring the “Venom” livery. What we didn’t know at the time was that “Venom” was in the paint shop at Edwards AFB, being repainted in a scheme inspired by the YF-16 prototype. Sadly, this early termination of the demonstration also meant that the Heritage flight would not take place; the P-51 landed shortly after the Viper.
After the Viper came two civilian aerobatic performers. Greg Koontz’s routine in the Super Decathlon was a delightful blend of graceful maneuvers that demonstrated the aerobatic capability of the Super Decathlon. Rob Holland, a legend in the aerobatic community, delivered a jaw-dropping performance that left the crowd in awe. His mastery of the MXS-RH aircraft was evident as he executed complex maneuvers with apparent ease, defying the limits of what seems possible in an airplane. Next came the penultimate act of the show, the Titan Aerobatic Team (formerly Aeroshell), unfortunately only flying three AT-6D Texans rather than their usual four.
As the day progressed, the weather improved, and the clouds began to part just in time for the grand finale. The Blue Angels took to the sky in their F/A-18E Super Hornets, delivering a performance that was nothing short of spectacular. The tight formations, high-speed passes, opposing solos and synchronized maneuvers were executed with the precision you would expect.
The absence of the Photo Pit did present some challenges, particularly for capturing those perfect opposing solo shots. The new seating arrangements and early access options provide viable alternatives but you will struggle to get the perfect opposing solo “hit” if you are off air show center.
In addition to the aerial performances, the Dayton Air Show offers plenty of activities for families. The Kids Hangar is a fantastic initiative, filled with aviation-themed activities and toys that kept the younger attendees entertained and engaged. The variety of food vendors and the well-organized midway added to the overall enjoyable experience.
Reflecting on the 2024 Dayton Air Show, it’s clear that while some aspects have changed, the core of what makes this event special remains. The Dayton Air Show has a rich history, and I’m eager to see what the next chapter holds.