June 10, 2016 • www.myvalleynews.com • Valley News
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Local
Many of those in attendance used the large wings from DC-3 and other airplanes to Ricardo Ruelas photo protect themselves from the heat of the sun.
Saturday’s show was interrupted several times by Cal Fire Aviation crews, who spent the Ricardo Ruelas photo entire day battling a 140-acre wildfire south of Temecula.
AIR SHOW from page A-1 Visitors got to enjoy displays of classic cars, as well as shopping for souvenirs and eating from a variety of food provided by food trucks and other vendor booths. “I didn’t get anything to eat from the food trucks or concession stands, but I heard everyone was really happy with the food they had,” Strangis said. “I did get an ice-cold lemonade and it was fresh, delicious and refreshing on such a hot day.” Families with children enjoyed the Kids’ Zone where there were giant inflatable bounce houses, face painting and fun crafts for the children. The air show included performances by aerobatic aces such as Vicky Benzing, whose stunt-performance flying wowed crowds. Kent Pietsch amazed those in attendance with his deathdefying aeronautical stunts, such as a dead-stick maneuver, which entails turning the engine off from 6,000 feet. He also amazed the crowds with a rooftop landing on a moving truck. Jon Melby, in his Pitts S-I-IIB Muscle bi-plane and F-4, P-51 and F-86 flybys added to the air show’s excitement. “Pilots had an opportunity to demonstrate fighter techniques and many of the planes trailed smoke behind them,” Strangis said. “The stunt performances and exhibition of military dogfighting tactics added to the excitement of those performing stunts. While the pilots performed, the announcer was describing their maneuvers and what they were used for, which really enhanced my experience.” Edwardo Gonzalez, a San Jacinto resident who brought his entire family, said this was his third time visiting Hemet-Ryan’s biennial air show. Gonzalez said his favorite part of the air show was getting to see all the antique planes and watching them perform the stunts. “Of course, my kid’s favorite part of the show was the Kids Zone,” Gonzalez said. There was also a variety of static displays with military planes as well as vintage and civilian aircraft for attendees to get a close-up look at. Many in attendance used the wings of the planes to shade themselves from the sun, sitting in folding lawn chairs and on blankets spread out on the airport’s tarmac. Several of the scheduled performances were either not able to perform or had their performances cut short due to a major fire incident in Temecula. However even the interruption of the air show due to CDF planes coming and going to the fire south of Temecula only added to some of the attendees experience. “The CDF tankers coming in periodically to reload with fireretardant and taking off to fight the fire in Temecula was really something to see,” Strangis said. “I had heard that Hemet-Ryan is where they load up because they manufacture the flame retardant there and seeing them refueling and refilling with fire-retardant was a real learning experience. “Overall, I had a great time and everyone I talked to had a wonderful time,” Strangis said. “I was really glad I went and I am looking forward to their next air show. The event was everything I was expecting it to be and more.”
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From the static displays to the Kids Zone to the vendor booths, there was enough variety to give everyone in attendance a memorable experience. John Strangis photo
Children and adults alike enjoyed seeing the inside of Hemet PD’s patrol vehicles. John Strangis photo
Stunt pilot Vicky Benzing wowed the crowds with her aeronautical skills. John Strangis photo
Many classic cars were available for attendees to get a close look at. John Strangis photo
Members of a local RC airplane club performed stunts to an enthusiastic crowd with their scaled down airplanes. Ricardo Ruelas photo
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