The Orion Online

Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jamie Ohannesian The Canadian Air Force Snowbirds fly in formation at the Chico AirFest. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Brian Randle Tim Decker soars across the sky in his Pitts Special above thousands of people Saturday at the Chico Municipal Airport. [Click to enlarge]

A Boeing C-17 Globemaster III growled by the crowd at 250 knots Saturday at the third Chico AirFest, rumbling the ground beneath thousands of onlookers' feet.

"Who the hell needs Viagra with power like that?" said Lt. Col. Keith Guillotte, announcer and C-17 pilot.

Old and young aviation fans, pilots and students gathered Friday and Saturday for the event at the Chico Municipal Airport.

Two CT-114 Tutor jets crossed paths as if playing chicken before shooting up into the sky and disappearing into the glaring light of the sun.

The Canadian Air Force Snowbirds jet team thundered overhead in all directions, flying in tight diamond- and pyramid-shaped formations.

"The Snowbirds don't just come to any airport," junior Chris Anderson said. "Chico's pretty lucky to get them."

Anderson, the soundman for the show and an aspiring pilot, said the scariest part of flying is preparing for and mimicking real-life accidents while in midair.

Pilots practice engine-outs, turn the engine to idle, open doors, tighten seat belts and choose an emergency-landing site, he said. Aerobatic pilots are required to wear parachutes while general aviation pilots don't have to.

"Most general aviation airplanes land at about 50 mph and they only weigh about 1,200 pounds," Anderson said. "Even if there was an accident, they kind of just topple around like a soda can - there's really not a lot of damage."

Planes spewed smoke, leaving snowy trails of hearts and circles, many of their maneuvers reminiscent of dogfighting days.

Hammerhead stalls, rolls and loops were once part of a fighter plane's arsenal of moves to escape the enemy.

"These were the maneuvers that got you out of their gun sights," Guillotte said. "Now they're great to watch at an air show."

Pilots showcased a smorgasbord of military and general aviation planes both on and off the ground, while graduate student Elias Mutungi enjoyed the show.

"This is cool. The way I see these people taking risks, flying in those formations - they're almost touching the ground," Mutungi said. "It makes me say, 'Wow.'"

Meghan Moriarty can be reached at
mmoriarty@theorion.com

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