The island of Catalina is still aglow from the success of the Scheyden 2013 Catalina Air Show this past weekend. The low-lying fog delayed but did not dampen the air show Saturday as aerobatic planes and the Red Bull Helicopter twirled, looped and spun their routines off the breakwater of Avalon Bay. Spectators were perched from Buena Vista Point to Hogsback Road on the upper levels and from Hamilton Cove to the Mole along the waterfront. Balconies, beaches and hotels were filled.
The island of Catalina is still aglow from the success of the Scheyden 2013 Catalina Air Show this past weekend. The low-lying fog delayed but did not dampen the air show Saturday as aerobatic planes and the Red Bull Helicopter twirled, looped and spun their routines off the breakwater of Avalon Bay. Spectators were perched from Buena Vista Point to Hogsback Road on the upper levels and from Hamilton Cove to the Mole along the waterfront. Balconies, beaches and hotels were filled.
The ground entertainment featured a vintage 1909 Bleriot XI that graced Wrigley Stage. The M-4 Flight Simulator was positioned at the Catherine Hotel and took passengers on an F-16 flight with live footage over the Mojave Desert. There were also aerobatic themed booths in town on Front Street.
The Row 44 Albatross thrilled residents and visitors with three on-the-water take-offs and landings just off the Casino Point during the weekend.
The air show lingered into Sunday. Pilots continued flying over Avalon. There was also the static display of planeas at the Airport in the Sky and again
“Chase Your Dream” essay winner, Nathanial Breeze was rewarded with a flight with Super Dave Mathieson in his MX2 aircraft. Raffle winner, Lolo Saldana passed on his ride and gave it to his grandson, Gabriel Saldana, for his twirl in the sky. Sky Thrills owner, Mike Blackstone, was also on the tarmac offering rides in his Waco Biplane. The Row 44 Albatross took off from the airport and did flybys there and over Avalon with a pair of T-28s in formation.
Results are still being tallied, but the consensus shows double-digit increases in accommodation, cross-channel passengers, and a tremendous increase in flight and shuttle activity at the Airport in the Sky.
The event was an overall success. Organizers said they have already met to discuss the third annual Catalina Air Show scheduled for Oct. 4, 2014 to make the Catalina Air show bigger and better. Go to catalinaairshow.com for more information.
