Break out the earplugs and lawn chairs! The 2015 Memphis Air Show returns to Millington Regional Airport this weekend.
Preparations were underway at the airport on Thursday. Crews set up tents and booths as performers got their airplanes ready to show off.
Robert Gibbons, or “RB,” was there with Team AeroDynamix. They do precision formation flying, and this weekend they’ll have 9 planes in the air.
“You’ll see multiple different types of formations, airports coming in and out of the box. We have lots of smoke theres always something going on in our show,” RB explained.
He went on to say once the show starts, there’s no time to think about the show or crowd. He concentrates on his position and flying for the 15 straight minutes, following his team’s lead.
Local 24/CW 30 reporter Mary Jo Ola got a firsthand look at flying with the team. During the flight RB said the team practices their show and timing, along with any “what if” scenarios. They also debrief after each practice.
When they’re in the air, they constantly keep an eye on signals between each other.
Flying aside, RB said the best part of the show is working the crowd after landing.
“All the kids come up every one of them wants to have an autograph. We’ll sign a hat. We’ll sign a t-shirt. We’ll sign a back. We don’t care,” RB said laughing.
2015 Memphis Air Show is September 25-27 at Millington Regional Airport. It will be open 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day with six hours of continual aerial performance by the Thunderbirds and other elite teams.
http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/2015-memphis-air-show-returns