Absent Saturday afternoon at the annual Thunder Over The Valley fly-in in Santa Maria were the ear-splitting sounds of warbirds zooming overhead and the exhilarating sight of planes shooting across the sky.
The usual air show organized by the Santa Maria Museum of Flight was replaced by a static display of aircraft this year after organizers
reportedly ran out of time to secure the required waivers.
Although visitors to the fly-in that kicked off Saturday, held near the Santa Maria Museum of Flight on Airpark Drive, expressed some disappointment that the air show was not happening, they braved the scorching heat anyway to check out the event and gave it positive reviews.
John Seaman of Buellton was among those disappointed that the planes weren't flying, but he still enjoyed scoping out a Navy helicopter with his family and snapping pictures of his children in the aircraft.
Seaman said he has been coming to Thunder Over the Valley for a couple years.
"The boys really love it. We all like aviation," he said.
"The flight demonstrations that they had have been amazing" in past years, Seaman said.
However, "it's still fun to see the aircraft static on the ground."
The Thunder Over The Valley fly-in, which brings both modern-day and classic warbirds to the Santa Maria Public Airport, as well as other features and vendors, continues today from
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among the attractions are a first-time beer garden, a climbing wall and kids' area.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 7 to 12 and $15 for families. Active-duty military members, reservists, National Guard members and military retirees, and their dependents, will be admitted free.
This weekend's event also features a new interactive road show called "Inspire" that offers a peek into the Air Force.
The exhibit, which is free with paid admission to the show, includes an IMAX theater trailer that shows a short Air Force promotion video, video games and a thrill ride called Extreme Equilibrium. The ride gives the spatial disorientation feeling that pilots encounter.
Oceano resident Carlos Saucedo, 13, and San Diego resident Alejandro Esparza, 14, braved Extreme Equilibrium, which puts riders inside a ball that spins, constantly switching directions. Squeals could be heard as the young teens spun.
Back on still ground, Saucedo said that the ride made him feel like someone was stretching him.
"It's mind-stretching. It, like, pulls you apart. Literally," he said.
Orcutt couple Todd and Kerri Young stepped inside the air-conditioned trailer to watch the Air Force promotional video.
Todd Young, who is stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, noted that Vandenberg is not a flying base.
"So, to be able to get up close to the aircraft like this is a very exciting and interesting experience."
Seeing the aircraft on display at the show hit home for Santa Maria resident Jerry McBroom and Chicago-area resident Ray Sutter.
The Navy veterans, both Korean War veterans, were stationed together for three years starting in 1953 and have remained friends.
McBroom said the pair had been looking forward to seeing aircraft in flight.
"We were hoping to see the F-18 fly and warthogs and all that kind of stuff," he said.
"I never get tired of airplanes," Sutter said.
As for Saturday's heat, he added, "I tolerate it."
August 30, 2009
