How to Enjoy the Annual Air Show at Edwards Air Force Base in California
Each year in the Mojave Desert in California, Edwards Air Force Base opens up to the public for an air show. Airplanes, military and otherwise, from throughout history are on display at the base. Hangars open up for touring, while other crafts are parked on the tarmac. Vendors sell related toys and memorabilia, and there are civilian activities as well. The event is usually punctuated by the precision flying of the Thunderbirds.
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Instructions
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Note that the high desert area of Antelope Valley, California, is very windy for most of the year, as evidenced by the windmills at Tehachapi.
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Locate Mojave, California, on the map. Take State Highway 58, east of Mojave to the Muroc exit. Follow directional signs to the air show.
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Arrive early to get the closest parking place. Usually parking is on a dirt lot, which can get dusty in late afternoon. When leaving the event, the quicker to the car, the less of a struggle against the dust.
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Visit the hangar first. There is usually a replication of the Wright Brother's flyer on display. Several other early aircraft, pre-World War 2, are there. Helicopters are on display as well.
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Purchase items from several of the kiosks in the hangar. There are books about aircraft and aerodynamic toys for sale.
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Locate the table where a famous airman or author is signing autographs. On one particular visit, an astronaut was greeting fans.
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Exit the hangar and tour the larger military aircraft. Extremely large helicopters are on display.
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Tour the transport planes. Note how they open in the back allowing for tanks and land vehicles to disembark.
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Look for the stealth flyers. There are several "wings" on display, amazing in design and ability.
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Participate in several games of skill provided by the organizers. The games are open to most family members.
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Eat lunch at any of the stands offering lunch. Expect hot dogs, soda and other like snacks.
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Watch the paratroopers jump and land on spot. A canister is usually attached to a leg and the colorful contents are released.
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Watch the show in the air. Throughout the day, the organizers schedule a plane to take off and display its abilities while in flight.
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Stay for the precision air display. The Thunderbirds appeared on one visit, but the headliner may change from year to year. Nevertheless, three to five planes fly in tight formation with amazing maneuvers. Color is added to the vapor stream.
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Plan to leave a few minutes before the event's conclusion. With only one exit to the base and one access highway, traffic can be backed up for hours.
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