NAS Oceana Airshow 2004 - VA - USA

[Roger]

NAS Oceana Airshow

24-26 September 2004

www.oceanaairshow.com

Website modified 07/29/04

[Jon H.]

... Is it worth turning up to watch the arrivals, and are there any points around the base where you can do this?
What is the twilight show like on the Friday? Is it a full airshow or just selected displays?
When it says small camera bags only, what does this mean. I have an EOS300D, a couple of lenses, and the necessary batteries/memory cards etc what size bag is deemed acceptable? Is this a common theme at US shows?
How long would it take to get to Oceana from Dulles Airport, Washington?

Chris,
  It's worth showing up on Thursday for arrivals!  From I-264 take the London Bridge Road exit and head south.  Once you get past the road construction look for Taylor Farm Road and turn left and park on the street.  I took these photos at this location in February...  http://www.flybyaviation.com/oceana25feb2004.htm  Also, you can watch operations at Oceana from London Bridge Road and International Drive  (walk here from Taylor Farm Road) and on Oceana Boulevard right off the end of the main runways.

 The twilight show usually consist of F/A-18 Hornet demo, a Heritage Flight, Legacy Flight and a few warbirds and civilian aircraft before the sun goes down.  Once it's dark they'll fly a Tomcat (usually with flares and a wall of flame) and Fat Albert plus a few civilian performers.

  As for the camera bag.  I carry about the same equipment as you and consider my camera bag to be medium sized ( it's measures 12x10x9 inches) and have never had problems at Oceana or other show with it.  The smaller the bag the less time it takes to check it out.  I feel shows post "only small camera bags" hoping to spook visitors into using smaller bags.  If you show up with a bigger bag (within reason) they won't turn you away.

It sould take you around 4 hours to get to NAS Oceana from Dulles.

You should show up the weekend prior to Oceana and take in the warbird show at Martinsburg, WV (moved from Frederick, MD) and or the show at MCAS New River, NC!

Also on my site are photos of VF-211s homecoming (shot from Taylor Farm Road)  http://www.flybyaviation.com/vf21125feb2004.htm

[ChrisM]

Jon

Ta for the info....sounds like I will have to shell out a few pennies and make sure I get to the show. May have to try for the Thursday as well to watch the arrivals/practise/normal ops.

Couple of other questions:
Where is a good (well relatively cheap) place to stay?
What happens to all the based a/c during the show. Seeing the report from Leemore, are they all parked around the corner of the ramp? Hmmm, the thought of a ramp full of F-14's!!
Is it possible to photograph the historic aircraft (gate guards) just inside the main gate during the show?  

Chris

ps. The Oceana website shows some observation parks (see attached picture). I contacted the PAO, and apparently it is OK to take photo's from these - has anyone used them?

[Steven Holzinger]

I have a contact at Oceana and he says it's no big deal to park at one of the observation parks for a little while and shoot video or take pictures.  They are designated there for that very reason, so I came to find out .  I will be heading there on May 20, the Thursday prior to Langley AFB's airshow.

[ChrisM]

Hi

Looking like we will be able to make the trek across the pond for this show - looking forward to seeing plenty of US Navy fast jets. Can anyone recommend a reasonable place to stay that is suitably close to the main gate so we don't have to queue for hours to get in (I know most Brits love to queue, not me though! )

Ta

Chris

[Liza]

Chris,

I was chatting with someone who went to last year's show who indicated that the night show's show-center is at Atlantic and 21st (or so). Plenty of stuff to choose from in that area. It's not close to the main gate, but you'd be able to watch the show from your hotel room balcony.

Hotels might be a start for accommodations.

[Steven Holzinger]

I believe show center for the beach show is at 24th Street and Atlantic Avenue... at least thats where the festivities were in '02.  From that location you're about 10 minutes away from the main gate on a normal day (unless you're travelling in rush hour).

[Mickey]

This italic paragraph was added today to www.oceanaairshow.com at the schedule (or I didn't notice earlier - in that case I'm sorry - but I thought it was of interest anyway):

Friday Sep 24th: Twilight Air Show – Featuring dazzling pyrotechnics, heart stopping flying and fireworks, this show is open to the public. Gates open at 5 p.m.

After the Twighlight Air Show, make sure you stop by the NAS Oceana Officer's Club! This historic watering hole will be open to the public on Friday night only, so stop by and experience a piece of Fighter Town USA. Loaded with awesome memories and squadron memorabilia, you'll be able to enjoy a beverage in the same spot as some of the legends of Naval Aviation. You'll even have a chance to rub shoulders with some of our outstanding air show performers as well as Naval Aviation's finest. Don't miss it! Just make sure you're in the right lane as you exit NAS Oceana and follow the signs.

So we'll meet all you other wannabees there as well then I guess ! I wont mention the T-shirt we all should be wairing !

Mickey

PS: Fightertown USA? There seem to be quite a lot of those!

[Liza]

From the NAS Oceana site...

Thursday, 23 September NAS Oceana is proud to present country music star Jo Dee Messina in a concert that is FREE to the public. The event happens at the NAS Oceana Main Gate Park. Gates open at 5 p.m.
 

Friday, 24 September Twilight Air Show – Featuring dazzling pyrotechnics, heart stopping flying and fireworks, this show is open to the public. Gates open at 5 p.m. After the Twighlight Air Show, make sure you stop by the NAS Oceana Officer's Club! This historic watering hole will be open to the public on Friday night only, so stop by and experience a piece of Fighter Town USA. Loaded with awesome memories and squadron memorabilia, you'll be able to enjoy a beverage in the same spot as some of the legends of Naval Aviation. You'll even have a chance to rub shoulders with some of our outstanding air show performers as well as Naval Aviation's finest. Don't miss it! Just make sure you're in the right lane as you exit NAS Oceana and follow the signs.
 

Saturday, 25 September ONLY Didn’t get all the Blue Angel’s autographs? Bring your pen and your friends to the beach to meet the performers. The event begins at 7 p.m. with several F-14 Tomcat afterburner flybys and then the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs and Army Black Daggers will conduct a daring night parachute jump onto the beach!

[Carswell Dude]

This being my first trip to the Oceana Airshow I was wondering. . . do I need to buy a box seat ticket?. . . are the grandstand seats good?. . . or just a general admission ticket?. . . I'd like to be able to get some shots of taxing aircraft. . . any other tips or hints for the show would be appreciated. . . thanks

[Mickey]

We (My mate who should become a fencecheck-member when he's back from holidays AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M TELLING YOU THIS, BART!  and I) will arrive sometime Fridaymorning and will have to leave on Sundaymorning  ! Flight into Dulles on Thursday afternoon and back on Sunday afternoon.

Sagar, I was gonna have the girls kiss you, but if you insist, we Dutch have an open mind!

CarswellDude, check the topic in the ICAS-forum on Oceana, I asked the same question there . Got a lot of info but sadly lost it when my hard-disk crashed (again) a couple of weeks ago . Am gonna contact the guy who supplied it to me again to ask him to resend it.

I'm contemplating renting a 2x convertor and a 70-200 mm. And maybe a 10D as I still don't have my 300D back and the photoshop seems unable to get info off Canon NL when it will be returned... I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this . Sets me back some EUR 180,- for a week's rent, ex insurance. Does that seem reasonable?

Mickey

[KevinJackson]

I'm contemplating renting a 2x convertor and a 70-200 mm. And maybe a 10D as I still don't have my 300D back and the photoshop seems unable to get info off Canon NL when it will be returned... I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this . Sets me back some EUR 180,- for a week's rent, ex insurance. Does that seem reasonable?

Mickey

Is that EUR 180 for the 10D plus lens/converter?, if so that sounds reasonable. You really need to get your camera store to loan you a replacement, thats the least they can do considering you're going on a big trip, which is why you got the camera in the first place

[Mickey]

Couple of questions / remarks:

Fencecheck Afterparty Saturdaynight at the local Hooters (or agreed alternative) .

I have a Lowepro Mini Trekker AW back-pack for my camera-gear and laptop, if I read the website that would NOT be allowed. What is your experience recently, guys and girls? We weren't allowed a normal back-pack at Edwards last year! If so, I need to bring a smaller bag and check-in my luggage during the flight from AMS. I'd hate that

In another topic it was mentioned that you could not take a tripod onto the base (Friday night!). So a bean-bag might be an alternative. Be prepared!

Any remarks or other practical tips anyone?

Mickey

[ChrisM]

Hmm

Have also just bought a Mini Trekker AW, hope I can get through security with it  ........any advice from the US contingent gratefully appreciated!! If not may have to bring my old camera bag, which would be a shame!

Chris

[tvrphoto]

Mickey, and everyone else for that matter, you really are best off purchasing a photo vest.  Typically, they go for about $100 if you go for the Domke brand or other similar photo company.  However, if you're a crafty shopper, you can purchase a fishing vest for waaaay cheaper!  The vest I'm wearing in the Nimitz post photos is an 8-year old fishing vest I bout from Mervyn's for $24!  I don't think they sell em anymore, but you can certainly try the camping stores.  I have NEVER had a problem getting through security with a vest and they can carry just about anything and everything!!!