In addition to the Snowbirds’ CT‐114 Tutors, the Canadian Forces Air Force also brought a CC‐115 Buffalo
which was opened to the public. Many of the museum’s aircraft had been towed over and spectators were
invited to climb aboard. During the morning, aerial entertainment was provided by the local Radio Control
club, after which the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team demonstrated its capabilities during a
simulated hostage rescue situation. Although a Cal Fire base is co‐located at the airport, their aircraft were
not on display as they were standing by on ready alert due to the wildfires raging throughout northern Cali‐
fornia at the time. Sure enough, they were called to fight a fire later in the afternoon during the show.
Opening ceremonies began at 11:15, with the Wings Of Blue Parachute team bringing in the US and Cana‐
dian flags. They would return later in the afternoon to put on their full skydiving demonstration. On Satur‐
day a swearing‐in ceremony took place for a number of Air Force recruits, with a member of the F‐16 Viper
Team administering the oath of enlistment. For many years, aircraft such as T‐38s and U‐2s from nearby
Beale AFB would fly over to open the show, but sadly the federal budget cuts have put an end to that long
tradition. However, a brightly‐colored Coast Guard C‐130 from Sacramento stood in this year.
The Red Stars Formation Flying Team started off the afternoon’s flying with several passes in their
Nanchang CJ‐6s, ending with a very moving missing man flight. Fresh from competing in the gold races in
both the Sport and Jet classes at the Reno Air Races (see our coverage on page 6), Vicky Benzing put on a
very impressive aerobatic performance in her Stearman biplane. This was followed by a Korean War jet
dogfight, staged by the North American F‐86 Sabrejet and Mig‐15 Fagot from the Planes of Fame Museum
in Chino, California. (Our review of their air show earlier this year can be found here.) Spencer Suderman,
world record holder in consecutive flat spins, put on another high‐energy aerobatic performance in his Pitts
biplane. Even if he didn’t come close to matching his record 81 spins, he still wowed the crowd. He was fol‐
lowed by Frank “Dr. D” Donnelly performing “Old Time Aerobatics” in his clipped‐wing Taylorcraft, after
which Bill Cornick showed off his skills in his Pitts biplane “Big Bad Green.” The Beechcraft Bonanza is sel‐
dom thought of as an aerobatic platform, but Jim Peitz later showed the spectators how it’s done in a gen‐
eral aviation aircraft.
RCAF CC‐115
Buffalo, main
image and
Spencer Suder‐
man, in his
Pitts biplane,
inset image.