2004 Lancaster Airport Community Days Airshow, Lititz, PA
28-29 August 2004

Despite some of the most humid and hot conditions of the summer, over 20,000 aviation enthusiasts flocked to the Lancaster Airport over the weekend of 28-29 August 2004 to see the 2004 Lancaster Airport Community Days Airshow.   This was the second straight year that the event had flying and the 2004 introduced parachute jumping into the event for the very first time as the US Army Special Operations Command Parachute Team, the "Black Daggers," demonstrated freefall parachute jumping and a combat equipment jump during the event.    The event also continued the tradition of having the Collings Foundation in attendance with their B-17 and B-24 and offering rides during the event. 

The Psychogang Extreme Motorcycle Club kicked things off at 11:30 with a 10 minute demonstration of what "NOT" to do on a motorcycle.    They are a local club that has become a great hit on the local airshow circuit.   They really got the crowd ready for the festivities that started at noon. 

Starting out around noon on Saturday, the opening ceremonies welcomed United States Senator Arlen Specter, Representative Joe Pitts and numerous other dignitaries and airport commission members to the stage to welcome back US Airways commercial service into Lancaster after over a year of absence in the local area.   To much fanfare, daily flights will start on September 5^th from the Lancaster Airport. 

At the conclusion of the opening ceremonies, the National Anthem was brilliantly sung by the American Music Theater's Barbershop Quartet while one of the USASOC Black Daggers flew in with the American Flag.    This was followed by a mass exit demonstration by four Black Daggers that showcased what precision freefall and parachute jumping is all about. 

Following the parachute exhibition, two local pilots took their L-2 and L-16 aircraft up for some flying around and this was followed by a great aerobatic demonstration by Jim "Penny" Varden in this Pitts.   Penny is the former A-10 West Coast Demonstration pilot from 2002-2003 and was a last minute addition to the flying displays at Lancaster.   It was a great introduction to aerobatic flying for this year's event and started the aerobatic portion of our event.  Following the Pitts demo, the 6-ship formation team of the "Vultures" took to the skies for numerous formation displays and a few solo maneuvers.     This was only the second airshow for the Vultures and they intend to do numerous airshows in 2005. 

The airshow continued with Drew Hurley in his red, white, and blue Russian YAK 55, followed by flybys from Gordon Bower's in his T-28B Trojan, flybys from the Sandy Flight of L-16s, and a 20 minute demonstration by some local RC Modelers.   This was the first time that RC Modelers were included in the airshow and this will now be a regular addition to the airshow at Lancaster as there is great interest and fascination with these aircraft in the local area. 

Following the RC's, Nancy Lynn took to the skies above the airport in her new Extra 300L.   The 13 minute demonstration helped to showcase the numerous aerobatics that are taught by Nancy at her aerobatics school just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. 

Kevin Russo flew his SNJ-6 to the sounds of great music of the aircraft's era and to the delight of the crowd.   Following Kevin it was time for the USASOC Black Daggers to demonstrate a combat equipment jump from 10,000 ft. out of a Pennsylvania Army National Guard CH-47D Chinook.   Complete with oxygen masks, combat packs, and other combat equipment, the demonstration by the Black Daggers helped to showcase what the United States Special Operations Command and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard continues to accomplish in defense of the United States in this post 9/11 world. 

Following the Daggers, the Yellow Books USA Pitts demonstrations took to the skies above Lancaster.   Doug Dodge put the S2C through its paces for 12 minutes of smoky, noisy, and high energy low level aerobatics that amazed the over 20,000 in attendance.   

The airshow concluded with the United States Air Force A-10 East Coast Demonstration Team from Pope AFB, North Carolina with their tactical demonstration.   Unfortunately due to a problem with aircraft availability Ed Shipley was unable to attend for the Heritage Flight with the A-10.  

Listing of Display Aircraft

Following the A-10, the CH-47 Chinook returned with a few flybys of the runway prior to landing and being placed on static display. 

The public hours concluded with a demonstration by the Pychogang Extreme Motorcycle Club with their daring feats on numerous motorcycles.

Static displays were plentiful and granted folks a great deal of variety.   From the new C-130J Hercules from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard to the T-6A Texan II, to numerous warbirds like the BT-13, T-6, B-17, B-24, U-3A, and T-28, there was something for everyone during this event. 

A special thanks goes out to all of the Lancaster Airport Authority volunteers and staff, local airport tenants and FBOs, Lancaster Tower, and the dozens of sponsors that made this such a grand success.    Look for another event in August 2005.