The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Cleveland National Air Show soars back to reclaim weekend
Folks from fliers to fans are sky-high about return of Cleveland National Air Show
In 2020, the skies over Cleveland remained quiet over Labor Day Weekend. One year later, however, the roar on the shore is back. ¶ The 2021 Cleveland National Air Show returns Sept. 4 through 6 at Burke Lakefront Airport. ¶ “While it was a very difficult decision to cancel last year, we weren’t the only air show to stand down,” Cleveland National Air Show Executive Director Kim Dell said. “We lost a significant amount of money, just like every other business, so this year is an important air show for us.”
The centerpiece of the show featuring military demonstrations and flybys is the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The Thunderbird pilots will put their six distinct red-white-andblue F-16 Falcon jet fighters through a choreographed 50-minute performance each day at speeds up to 500 mph and as close as three feet from each other.
“The jet teams are definitely your headliner act, and it can affect your attendance by upward of 50 percent,” Dell said. “The cool thing about the Thunderbirds this year is for the first time in 38 years they altered their demonstration.
“They even consulted with Disney executives,” she continued. “There’s new music, narration and a new maneuver called the ‘Low Bomb Burst With Hit.’ I don’t know what that is, but I can’t wait to see it.”
Another notable draw of the 2021 Cleveland National Air Show is the return of an F-15 Eagle, which last appeared at the event in 2010.
The Louisiana Air National Guard’s F-15 — an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter — will perform a flyby each day.
“As our military downsizes and as the F-22 and F-35 come online, the older jets like the F-15 you don’t see as much,” Dell said. “Because the runway at Burke isn’t long enough in an F-15, they’ll be stationed at Cleveland Hopkins airport.”
Other aircraft scheduled to appear include an A-10C Thunderbolt II, a C-130 Hercules and a C-17 Globemaster III. The latter is the newest and one of the largest aircrafts in the Air Force’s inventory.
Weighing in at a maximum takeoff weight of 585,000 pounds and flying as fast as 590 mph, the 200-foot-long C-17 will show off its aerial capability. The C-17’s primary mission is to transport equipment, supplies and troops around the world.
Also present will be Shockwave Jet Truck, which will race a plane down the runway while the audience feels the heat from explosive pyrotechnics. A 1942 Interstate Cadet flown by Kent Pietsch landing on top of a moving truck also promises to be something to see.
Ground attractions also include interactive displays, kid-friendly activities, and unusual display aircraft.
“Most people wouldn’t think of the Air Show as a calling card to the rest of the world, but a lot of the pilots love Cleveland,” Dell said. “There are a handful of waterfront shows across the United States, and we’re one of them.
“Then you add the history of it with the National Air Races from 1929 to 1949 and the fact this air show has been around since 1964. I call it ‘the grand dame of air shows.’ A lot of people say, ‘You have to fly Cleveland.’ That’s what pilots tell each other over and over again.”
As far as the excitement shared on social media by Air Show attendees, Dell said the vociferous group is “geeked” to be back.
“That’s how excited and supportive they are,” Dell said. “I think people realize this is like threading a needle a little bit. We only had three months to pull this together. So hats off to the staff. Everybody worked very hard.
“I keep telling everybody they have to understand we’re still in the pandemic. Things may seem a little bit different, but we’re going to do the absolute best we can. Facial coverings are optional for fully vaccinated attendees, but at this point the CDC is recommending in crowded settings, you may want to put a mask on. Those not vaccinated need to continue to wear facial coverings. I’m hoping people use their best judgment.”