The Horsemen started off the day’s aerobatic flying, putting on an amazing display of precision formation fly‐
ing in their three highly‐polished P‐51D Mustangs. Steve Hinton led Ed Shipley and Dan Friedkin through a
beautiful series of graceful loops and rolls. “Super Dave” Mathieson turned it up a notch with a spirited per‐
formance in the Scheyden MX‐2. He was followed by Michael Wiskus who flew a similarly energetic routine in
the bright red Lucas Oil biplane. Then it was time for the first of the day’s two jet teams. The locally‐based
Patriots Jet Team is the largest civilian‐owned jet demonstration team and includes former Blue Angels,
Thunderbirds and Snowbirds among its six pilots. Their fast‐paced, precision maneuvers contain many of the
same exciting elements as those military teams. You can read about our flight with the Patriots in the Decem‐
ber 2014 / January 2015 issue of The Aviation Magazine. In addition to entertaining viewers at air shows, the
Patriots also encourage students to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics through their
new, all‐volunteer non‐profit organization The Patriots Jet Team Foundation.
United Airlines sent a wide‐body Boeing passenger jet each day to perform a number of flybys: a 757 on Fri‐
day, a 747 on Saturday and a Triple‐7 on Sunday. Although none of the maneuvers were as spectacular as Tex
Johnston’s legendary barrel roll of the Dash 80 over Lake Washington in Seattle almost sixty years ago, it was
nevertheless impressive to see these large jets fly low over the Bay, especially during their slow dirty passes
with gear and flaps fully extended. Sean D Tucker once again amazed the crowd with his high‐octane, jaw‐
dropping aerobatic routine at Fleet Week. The only thing missing from his astounding repertoire was the tri‐
ple‐ribbon cut. The Oracle Challenger III biplane stood out brightly in the clear blue skies and even at a dis‐
tance his smoke system allowed spectators to follow his every move. Well, almost: his snap‐rolls came so fast
and furious it is easy to lose count. And he disappeared into his own smoke during the extended tail slides
and double‐hammerhead turns. He ended his show with a hovering tribute to the AV‐8B Harrier followed by
a low photo pass seemingly just inches over the waves.
“Fat Albert”, with its all‐Marine crew, was a welcome sight. The brightly painted C‐130 performed its usual
steep climb and descent to open and close its demonstration, with a number of remarkable passes in be‐
tween. There was enough moisture in the air that the prop tips left spirals of vapor behind them as the large
transport clawed its way skyward. The final low pass over Alcatraz Island directly towards the city’s water‐
front brought gasps from the crowds.
The Blue Angels closed the show, putting on their high show under bright blue skies. They had been buzzing
the area for several days to orient themselves and identify timing and location landmarks. The crowds were
nevertheless thrilled by the team’s dramatic entrance into the aerobatic box flying in low over the Golden
Gate Bridge. Their full high show on Sunday was a sight to see. It is a challenge to photograph the low passes
in between the masts of the many boats crowding the bay, but it is worth it to see #5’s sneak pass just feet
over the water. Angel Island provided the perfect background to make visible the Schlieren lines formed by
the shock cones as Lt. Cmdr. David Tickle approached Mach 1. Similarly, Alcatraz Island formed a nice back‐
drop to the many exciting solo crosses. Although the ground portion of the Blue Angels’ performance was
missing from this show, the team came out to Pier 39 on Saturday night to meet their many fans, answer
questions and sign autographs.
The airbox is located over San Francisco Bay, just north of the city’s waterfront. As such, there is no ground
portion of the air show, and no aircraft on static display. Marina Green does, however, have the usual food
booths, vendors and kid’s zones, as well as pavilions with chairs, shade and catered food for those willing to
pay for the comfort and convenience. But pretty much any place in the area provides a beautiful venue from
which to watch the show. From Fisherman’s Wharf, past Crissy Field, to