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| - Attended the Open House and Airshow at Luke AFB on Saturday, March 19. If you are thinking of going on Sunday READ THIS FIRST! Mistake #1 was leaving later than I should have. Traffic getting there was a nightmare. Took 1.5 hours to get to off-base parking and that is after I figured out a shortcut that took 30 minutes off the wait in VERY slow stop and go traffic. Part of the problem was that I was following directions from 3 years ago rather than the online map for this year. Mistake #2. My bad. I'll do better next year.
Check out the Open House web site (http://fightercountry.org/fighter-country-events/luke-air-force-base-2011-airshow-open-house/72538) for items that you can and cannot bring on base. The check point is in the parking area before you board the buses.
BTW: Parking is $10 per vehicle and entrance to the base is free.
The off-base parking was a farmer's field that had been cleared and leveled to make way for vehicles. Dusty and dirty, but it sufficed. School buses were used to shuttle us to the base and they were lined up and leaving 3 or 4 at a time. Nice that they did not make us wait long in the field. Good planning here.
We did not arrive on base until about 1PM and I was afraid we missed some of the best aircraft flights. Some guy was selling programs and other trappings for $10, but we opted out. I was greatly encouraged when the F-22 Raptor started it's routine as we were walking towards the flight line. And holy cow, what a walk! Maybe 600 feet to the edge of the taxiway. It was hard to tell if you were making good progress because the vendors and people in folding chairs were spread out all over the place and you really had to snake around to move closer to the flight line.
The aforementioned Raptor was amazing. I've seen video of it before, but this aircraft is truly something to see in flight. Because of the vectoring engine nozzles and fly-by-wire system this large jet can remain under the pilots control at extremely slow speeds and high angles of attack. Funny that the most impressive thing about this Mach capable stealth fighter is its slow speed capabilities.
This year Luke allowed folding chairs (just no reclining lawn chairs) and I brought some in the car. We decided that, since we were arriving so late, we would not take them in. Mistake #3. It did not take long for me to lament that decision since there were plenty of places to set up the chairs and it would have been a lot easier eating lunch.
Speaking of lunch. The vendors were everywhere! I do mean everywhere. The area allotted for visitors was so vast that they were spread out so far you could not see many of the vendors until you actually walked over much nearer. You could see some tents and signs all over the place, but what it was you were walking towards was not immediately clear. There is no "vendors row." Thankfully, some of the vendors had duplicate sites so you wouldn't have to walk a half mile to get the sandwich and beverage combination you desired. Food is expensive. Cost for 2 brauts and 1 bottled water = $17. You cannot bring in food or beverages.
Some very cool planes flew and even more are on static display. You cannot get close to the Raptor or any plane that is flying at the show, though. They are parked across the tarmac from the spectator area. They cancelled the Army Golden Knight parachute team demo. I do not know why. They did announce over the PA system, but unless you were standing very near them all it did was create background noise. I'd say grab a program so you would know what the schedule was, but they got so far off schedule by later afternoon it made little difference.
Eventually some kids in fatigues were driving around in a cart giving out the programs for free and I then saw that the Air Force Thunderbirds were set to fly next. It was another hour before they did finally get airborne though. This is my only real complaint about the air show. Pacing. At least that afternoon it moved very slowly. We actually were leaving just as the "Birds" were starting their routine. We saw a good deal of it on the way to the parking lot. We decided that we did not want to spend another hour-and-a-half in traffic on the way out.
Overall, I would recommend the open house to anyone who enjoys watching military aircraft. It is a relaxed event. If you can deal with long lines getting in, out, and getting food it can be great fun. Take the sunscreen, umbrellas, folding chairs, and plenty of cash.
Super Secret Shortcut: If approaching from the north on 101 take Bell Rd exit. W. on Bell to Litchfield Rd. S. on Litchfield to Peoria. Officers and signage will direct you W. to the "B" lot. Detail map for last part of above: http://www.luke.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110304-080.pdf
If coming from the 303 just get on Waddell and go east to Litchfield. Could save you an hour unless you're very early.
"A" lot? Can't help you.
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