United States - Georgia - Wings Over Marietta 2008 - Dobbins ARB, Marietta - 10/18/08

[BillF]

Southern hospitality? I emailed the base PAO yesterday (Sunday) and mentioned that I had been stationed there about 39 years ago and wished to see my old barracks area and my first control tower. Said I'd be in on Wednesday and how about a tour of the two places? Very quickly, and on a Sunday no less, I received my "no can do" reply. Went on to say they'd be busy readying for the show and anyway, tours are for 15 or more.

I guess I'll just give up 

[Steve Rice]

The showline has been shifted to face north this year instead of being on the runway of 11/29.   This should allow everyone to have the left side of the face sunburned and not the whole face.

David Schultz, President
David Schultz Airshows LLC

Excellent!  Thanks for your part in the layout plan and the response. 

[VFA-203 KMGE Guy]

One of the best spots is just up the hill on Cobb Parkway, next to the Lincoln Mercury car dealer. They have a small patch of grass between the car dealer and a Subway sandwich shop. You can park there and not get in trouble and the planes coming in for a landing fly right over the car dealer's building. (See my shots from the VMFA-142 last flight)

If you try to shoot on Cobb Parkway or at the Dive Shop parking lot at the end of the runway, you will get hassled by base security at one point or another.

Actually, Inside the shopping center behind the Subway is even better than the Grassy Area (Never shot there just watched before).  Your also very secluded which is great when factoring in the Fuzz. Now it sucks for anything other than landing shots on 29; But if you're looking for great inbound shots..That's the best place to be. For takeoff's..No where really amazing that I've found on Cobb Parkway cause they all break North upon departure. Now when departing 29 to the West..Once again Slim Pickins'..But the Lockheed Plaza Shopping Center seems to be the best place I've encountered. Check out my shots in the Dobbins/NAS Atlanta thread in Spotter Days.

As for being hassled, Airshow weekend and even Thurs/Friday you got nothing to worry about. Now just generally spotting/shooting...Ehh..Dobbins is pretty laid back anmd I've only been approached 2-3 times in the last five years but I'd avoid the Dive Shop. Edwin Watts Golf Shops across the street is the safer bet.

Also; As far as when to go there for parking..Lot opens at 9...I'd be there by 8-8:30. Expect more hassles being the AF holding it versus the NAS.

Hope That Helps!
Adam
VFA-203/VMFA-142 Forever
12/21/70-10/04/06 - The End, Baby...!

[VFA-203 KMGE Guy]

The showline has been shifted to face north this year instead of being on the runway of 11/29.   This should allow everyone to have the left side of the face sunburned and not the whole face.

David Schultz, President
David Schultz Airshows LLC

David,

Are you saying that the runway will be at the crowd's back (Considering the North is basically facing the hangars and trees of the ARB side; That's how I'm understanding this) Curious how this is gonna work exactly. Do you have any diagrams made up of the showline?

Thanks,
Adam
VFA-203/VMFA-142 Forever
12/21/70-10/04/06 - The End, Baby...!

[integra2316]

David, will there be any paid seating at this show? If so how can I go about getting some seats.

CHris

[BigRedDogATL]

I have attached a copy of the FAA diagram for Dobbins ARB (NAS Atlanta), where the Wings Over Marietta show will be held. On the diagram I marked the area that was used in 2004 & 2006 for the Navy sponsored shows that featured the Blue Angels.

Could someone connected with the 2008 show, featuring the Thunderbirds, please indicate which portion of the base will be used for the show?  Based upon what David Schultz said in his message, I can't quite understand what the layout will be.

Will the show use the area marked 'Transient Parking' or 'AFRC C130 RAMP' to hold the static displays?

[Vance]

Always a Big crowd at this one, get there early.

[BigRedDogATL]

Always a Big crowd at this one, get there early.

Vance:

If you get a spot at show center, please save a place for me, and I will do the same for you.

Thanks,
Clifford

[integra2316]

Well it looks likes plans have changed for me. I will be there all day friday, but i was told I will be walking around with the swat team on saturday. So I am excited about that, I get access to the tops of the buildings and what not .

[Vance]

Vance:
If you get a spot at show center, please save a place for me, and I will do the same for you.
Thanks,Clifford

Until I actually get there and see the layout, I'm not sure where I will set up. But I'll be glad to keep an eye for you and the regular gang.

[camaronut502]

I'll be leaving birmingham bright and early saturday morning! I just reserved a room at the Westin in downtown so i think im good to go for this show. Now we wait.......

Matt

[MikeRiffle]

David Schultz posted the following over at ASB yesterday:

Dobbins will have their aerobatic box parallel to taxiway "A" which is slightly east of midfield. All take-offs and landings will be on 11/29 at Dobbins but the box is shifted a little less than 90° to the runway to take Hwy 41 and North Atlanta Road and the Railroad Tracks out of the equation. The Thunderbirds will be parked on Taxiway A and the hot ramp will be near the intersection of "A" and "G."

It will be a challenging box and one that might not be really great for photos, but the line-up for the show this year is exceptional. Look for a schedule to come out soon via our website at:

http://dobbins.schultzairshows.com

Below is my interpretation of that description. From a safety standpoint the box makes perfect sense. The run-ins to the box are relatively free of structures, where-as the run-in to a runway based box has commercial and residential areas at each end. As David says, from a photography standpoint it will be a challenge. The sun will be a factor in the afternoon.

[BillF]

And the crowd is where?

[MikeRiffle]

And the crowd is where?

Since David said previously the sun would be to our left, I'm guessing the spectator area is around the blue arrow. If so it looks like the crowd line will be around the same length as it is when the show is over on the Navy side.

[BillF]

It appears that we will have an outstanding opportunity to take pictures of the sun. Too, I should be able to complete my collection of backlit aircraft at this show.