Metro Jacksonville

Jacksonville by Neighborhood => The Burbs => Westside => Topic started by: jandar on February 10, 2009, 11:31:35 AM

Title: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: jandar on February 10, 2009, 11:31:35 AM
http://www.cecilfield.aero/

April 18th-19th. 10AM-5PM daily (schedule to change).

Plenty of variety for everyone. Wingwalkers to F18s.

General Admission is 10$.
12 and under 5$

The Northeast Florida Region Antique Automobile Car Club will also be putting on a car show on the 18th.


Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: CMG22 on February 19, 2009, 05:57:00 PM
Thanks, Jandar, for putting this up.

This is going to be the BIGGEST AIR SHOW EVER, in the history of aviation.  I mean that quite literally!  ICAS, the International Council of Air Shows, has determined this fact based on the number of civilian performers--it will have more than 30 acts in a two-day period.  It will have representation from all branches of the military, too!

How amazing to have this in our own little back yard!  The show proceeds go to benefit two causes:  MS research, and the Alan Henley Foundation.  The money going to MS research will be going directly to the research, and none toward overhead.  Alan Henley is the team lead of the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, and suffered a crippling spinal injury less than a year ago.  The proceeds will help cover the immense cost of his treatment.

To get more information on the show, to volunteer, or to buy tickets, please visit:

www.cecilfield.aero (http://www.cecilfield.aero)

Tell everyone you know!
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: Jason on February 20, 2009, 01:39:47 PM
Wow, that is really impressive!

Is it really on a monday and tuesday, versus the weekend?
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: jandar on February 20, 2009, 01:45:43 PM
Its actually April 17th-19th (Friday - Sunday)
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: CMG22 on February 20, 2009, 06:51:59 PM
Quote from: jandar on February 20, 2009, 01:45:43 PM
Its actually April 17th-19th (Friday - Sunday)

No, no.  It's Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th.  Gates open at 10am.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: jandar on February 20, 2009, 09:33:10 PM
Ok, just going by what was posted on their site.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: Jason on February 24, 2009, 03:53:36 PM
Heh, I think I was looking at the wrong month..  My mistake!
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: Jason on March 10, 2009, 10:20:57 AM
QuoteLocal Air Show Expected To Be U.S.'s Largest
2009 Cecil Field Air Show To Showcase 35 Performers


POSTED: Monday, March 9, 2009
UPDATED: 9:33 pm EDT March 9, 2009

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- What's shaping up to be the largest air show in the United States this year will be landing in Jacksonville's Cecil Field next month.

....

Read the rest: http://www.news4jax.com/news/18889787/detail.html
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: CMG22 on March 12, 2009, 03:27:19 PM
That's what I was trying to tell you!  We finally got our first bit of media out here...
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: Jason on March 12, 2009, 05:31:31 PM
I can't wait for the show!

Are you going to be there CMG?
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: jandar on March 12, 2009, 07:51:36 PM
I know I will be with the wife and son in tow.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: BridgeTroll on March 13, 2009, 06:58:32 AM
I will very likely be there...
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: Jason on March 13, 2009, 09:48:39 AM
It'll likely be my oldest son and myself.  Don't know if I'll lug the two little ones.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: CMG22 on March 13, 2009, 05:27:29 PM
Of course I'll be there.  I work for JAA at Cecil.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: blizz01 on April 18, 2009, 09:41:36 PM
Did anyone go to this today?  I was thinking about checking it out tomorrow.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: thekillingwax on April 19, 2009, 02:36:09 PM
I'm curious about the turnout as well. I wanted to go so badly but got called into work this weekend.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: BridgeTroll on April 19, 2009, 07:02:09 PM
I was able to go today... pretty good event but probably not as well attended as organizers would like.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: Jason on April 20, 2009, 09:26:03 AM
Saturday was pretty busy but it didn't seem as packed as the show at NAS, but that is to be expected because its not nearly as widely know nor does it have the tenure.  If they keep it up it should turn into a much larger event.  I'd guess around 9 or 10 thousand people showed up on saturday.

IMO, it was very well done.  Organized, on time, fantastic weather, and a lot of fun.  Man, I love those FA-18s!
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: BridgeTroll on April 20, 2009, 09:27:39 AM
Cecil Field is a great facility and community asset. 
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: blizz01 on April 20, 2009, 09:51:26 AM
I went yesterday & had a good time - very interactive for the kids.  I did have a hard time trying to convince myself that Cecil is a better venue than NAS JAX (with the boats on the river, etc.) or better yet - the beach.  I understood this to be billed as the "largest in the country", however, they were already plugging next week's event in Lakeland as such so I'm not sure what criteria went into that as there is more to see on display at the usual events.  The "modern" military aircraft displayed on the ground & in the air were obviously local from the Navy, National Guard(s), & Coast Guard - &  with the absence of the Blue Angels or even the Thunderbirds, there was somewhat of a void compared to what we've been accustomed to.  It seemed geared more toward vintage planes & hobbyists.  Given that, would I go back?  Sure I would!
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: Jason on April 20, 2009, 11:18:17 AM
^ I agree Blizz.  It was a bit different not seeing the Angels.  However, the acts I witnessed on Saturday were unlike any I've ever seen before.  The fact that it was all for the benefit of a fellow acrobat was amazing.

I think the "largest in the country" statement was with regards to the quantity of performances, not the overall size or attendance.  The show this past season at NAS was MUCH larger in those respects, but didn't have the amount of acts that the Cecil show did.

Can't wait for next year.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: jandar on April 20, 2009, 03:34:20 PM
I went yesterday as well.

Was nice seeing the P51/F86/F15 flying formation together. Definitely different.

For a first event, it was nicely done. Needed to be better marketed though. Perhaps they could try to get other teams like the thunderbirds next year.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: CMG22 on April 23, 2009, 06:10:47 PM
Thanks to everyone who came!  Many of your observations were right on the money.  First, let me say that in total, we had about 30,000 people at Cecil Field in those two days, and it was being billed as the largest air show in the US because of the number of performers in the air each day.  (Lakeland's Sun'n'Fun is accepted as the second largest air show by attendees, second to EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, WI.)

As far as marketing, JAA has a contract with a local PR firm here, which we were obligated to use.  They did a good job, but of course, there is room for improvement.

As far as the big teams--if you've seen them once, you've seen them 100 times.  Not only that, but the requirements to have one of these teams at a show are enormous, and costly.  They bring an entourage of about 50 people.  For a charity air show, it just wasn't in the cards...

We're hoping to do another one in 2 years, by the way...
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: BridgeTroll on April 23, 2009, 06:16:49 PM
Thanks CMG... I am with you... I prefer the small independent stunt fliers to the Angels and Tbirds.
Title: Re: Cecil Field Air Show 2009
Post by: CMG22 on April 27, 2009, 12:26:39 PM
Well, all said and done, the show raised $110,000 for the Alan Henley Foundation.

Footage from the press conference held at Sun'n'Fun:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQN8xoxZayg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQN8xoxZayg)