NAS El Centro Airshow - Saturday 14th March 2020

[spellow3010]

The NAS El Centro (Imperial Valley, California) 2020 Airshow will take place on Saturday 14th March 2020 - it's 50th show. Already headlining are the US Navy display team, The Blue Angels. Further acts to be announced.

Link here -
https://www.elcentroairshow.com/

I hope to be at El Centro show on Saturday 14th March.

[tmattias]

Was there this year. Decent show but be aware of the desert heat. This year was a warm show so lots of heat haze.

Expect a few warbirds and most likely some of the following; F-86, Mig-15, T-33, and/or L-39. Vicky Benzing usually shows up as well.

This year there was no F-18 display only a couple of standard flybys of a F-18C.

Be aware that there is no turf on the airfield as its in the middle of the desert. Instead you'll be standing on dirt, something to be aware of incase of bad weather.

Officially you were not allowed to bring backpacks inside (including photo-backpacks) but in reality this wasn't enforced. But if it is there is a long walk back to the car park from the security check-point.

The show isn't worth traveling far for just the show but if you can make it as a day-trip it is well worth the trip.

[Reaper02]

Some pics from this years El Centro airshow:

https://www.final-approach.nl/2019/naf- ... rshow-2019

Kind regards,
Edwin
www.final-approach.nl

[MiG_Eater]

Interesting to note this clashes with Yuma. I wonder if they will share the Blue Angels.

[spellow3010]

Yes, there is a clash. Yuma and El Centro are only about 60 miles from each other. Anything is possible.

The desert heat and the dusty dirt ground cannot be emphasised enough!! That dirt is perilous if it has been raining. I went ankle deep into dirt that had seemed pretty solid the day before.

[spellow3010]

Some pics from this years El Centro airshow:

https://www.final-approach.nl/2019/naf- ... rshow-2019

Kind regards,
Edwin
http://www.final-approach.nl

Nice write up and photographs

[spellow3010]

Information for this show has been updated on the website as linked in the OP... The current schedule of performers is this -

10:30 am – U. S. Navy Leap Frogs / U. S. Army Black Daggers Launch

11:00 am –National Anthem / Leap Frogs/Black Daggers Jump Demonstration

11:05 am – CO’s Welcome

11:10 am – Planes of Fame – F-86 / MiG-15 Dogfight

11:40 am – Jet Vehicle Demonstration

11:45 am – Tom Larkin – Mini Jet Air Shows

12:15 pm – Pacific Aero Ventures – TA-4 Skyhawk

12:40 pm – John Collver – SNJ Demonstration

12:55 pm - John Collver / Jet Vehicle Race

1:00 pm – FOD Sweep

1:10 pm – U. S. Air Force Air Combat Command A-10 Demonstration

1:30 pm – A-10 / F-86 Heritage Flight

1:50 pm – Vicky Benzing - Stearman

2:05 pm – FOD Sweep

2:30 pm – U. S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team – The Blue Angels


--
My personal highlights are going to be seeing the Sabre/Mig dog-fight, the A-10 demo with Sabre heritage flight and of course the Blue Angels. Will be nice to see the Scooter again. Hat off too for Vicky Benzing in her Stearman - that was a good show at Lemoore in September last year. I've also never seen the Black Daggers before either...

Still awaiting confirmation of the static list...
See you there

[boff180]

Tips for the first timer......

The public can only access the left hand third of the display line, the middle left sixth is private enclosures then press at display centre..... there is no access at all to the right hand display line.

If going as press, take a good hat and LOTS of water... you are given a seat that is it, you are miles from the crowd and not allowed to use the shelter or eateries/drink stalls in the enclosure area (which you have to walk around). It's a hot and long day but worth it for the shots.

Static is fairly limited but usually attracts a few rarities and wear good boots as the crowd line is in the dust usually.

Finally when exiting at the end of the show, watch and be clever over which queue you join. One goes out the main gate.... the second, snakes its way around (yes around) the parked display aircraft - to exit close to the main spotters corner.

[BDL]

Considering paying for the enclosure, is there a grandstand (like Miramar?)

[boff180]

There were enclosures but I can't recall grandstands.

[verreli]

Another option is to go over to Yuma on the Friday. There's a rehearsal from about 11am you can watch from the fairground car park opposite the airfield. Get a free ticket from the Yuma website and go to the evening show (limited availability) then go to El Centro on the Saturday. Yuma will have F-35A, F35B, Harrier, F5 & Osprey.

[spellow3010]

Tips for the first timer......

The public can only access the left hand third of the display line, the middle left sixth is private enclosures then press at display centre..... there is no access at all to the right hand display line.

If going as press, take a good hat and LOTS of water... you are given a seat that is it, you are miles from the crowd and not allowed to use the shelter or eateries/drink stalls in the enclosure area (which you have to walk around). It's a hot and long day but worth it for the shots.

Static is fairly limited but usually attracts a few rarities and wear good boots as the crowd line is in the dust usually.

Finally when exiting at the end of the show, watch and be clever over which queue you join. One goes out the main gate.... the second, snakes its way around (yes around) the parked display aircraft - to exit close to the main spotters corner.

Thanks for the detailed heads up there Boff... I'm not attending this one as media, so in with the 'norms...' Boots... sweaty toes!!!

[BDL]

Another option is to go over to Yuma on the Friday. There's a rehearsal from about 11am you can watch from the fairground car park opposite the airfield. Get a free ticket from the Yuma website and go to the evening show (limited availability) then go to El Centro on the Saturday. Yuma will have F-35A, F35B, Harrier, F5 & Osprey.

Cheers, I was thinking about doing that anyway, so makes sense. Must remember to take my clear bag to Yuma!

[zigzag]

Alternatively.........

(as I think I might do) is El Centro arrivals/rehersals on Friday, see how things are going and if done & dusted head over to Yuma for the evening show and then do Yuma show on Saturday

Unless any additional info participation wise comes to light Yuma is shaping up to be the better show so I'm concentrating more on that

Mid-March certainly is a bumper time for shows in the South West

[zigzag]

Now cancelled