WXPort2006 Lancaster Airport Community Days Airshow
Lancaster, PA
26-27 August 2006

Low clouds and limited visibility did not keep the over 20,000 airshow fans and aviation enthusiasts away from the Lancaster Airport on 26-27 August 2006 as the Lancaster Airport hosted the Lancaster Airport Community Days Airshow in Lititz, PA. 

This FREE event started out with the Psychogang Buell Extreme Motorcycle Club performing  as well as a short RC Modeler Demonstration on Saturday.  Following a brief opening ceremony, the flying started with a  teaser from the Firebirds Aerobatic Team.  Due to limited cloud ceiling all performers were forced into their flat or low show routines.   

Following the Firebirds was a short warbird flight by Rich Wallin and Paul Quinn in their L- Birds.   Rob Holland flew the Aerial Advantage Ultimate 20-300 Bi-Plane for a wonderful low level aerobatic performance followed by Dr. Smoke, Ron Saglimbene, in his SF260 Marchetti with the tri-color smoke and Tim Hawley in the Firebirds Extra 300 for his solo routine.    Kevin Russo also took to the skies in his SNJ-6 aircraft for a wonderful warbird aerobatic display. 

The Pyschogang Buell Extreme Motorcycle Club performed again in front of the crowd during a short break in the flying around 2pm followed by the full performance of the Firebirds Aerobatic Team in their 2-ship Extra 300s.   As visibility dropped, the Firebirds were forced to cut their performance short at the calling of the airboss due to safety with flying resuming about 30 minutes later with a great performance by Skip Stewart in his S2 Pitts.   

The low clouds forced the cancellation of the Army Black Daggers Parachute Team Demonstration for both times on Saturday as well as their planned jump on Sunday.  However the team was available to talk with the crowd and were formally introduced to the crowd during the show on Saturday afternoon. 

The show on Saturday wrapped up with the USAF A-10A Thunderbolt II East Coast Demonstrations team at their flat show followed by the USAF Heritage Flight with Mr. Ed Shipley in his F-86E Sabre. 

While flying was limited due to weather, there was an abundant array of aircraft on static display for this free event.   The static display included military aircraft such as the C-130J Hercules II from the 193rd SOW in Harrisburg, PA, a CH-47D Chinook and UH-60 Blackhawk from the PA-ArNG in Ft. Indiantown, PA, a T-6A Texan II from Randolph AFB, TX, a UH-1N from Andrews AFB, MD, and a CH-124 SeaKing from CFB Shearwater, Nova Scotia.    Warbirds included several L Birds, a PT-26, L-6, a pair of B-25J Mitchells, a B-17G Flying Fortress, and a B-24J Liberator.    The Commemorative Air Force, Mid Atlantic Air Museum, and the Collings Foundation all were represented well in the display and exhibits as well.   Civilian aircraft on display included a Cirrus 22, Cessna Skyhawk, and several kitbuilt aircraft from the local area.   FEDEX also brought in a Cessna 208B Caravan for display as well.

Look for another Lancaster Airport Community Days event in August 2008.