Early Arrivals

This weekend the airport at Kona will be hosting the 1st Annual Hawaii Airshow Invitational.  It's a project that's been in the works for over 7 years and will be the first in Hawaii ever held at a public airport.  All prior shows have been hosted at military installations on Oahu, or included offshore aerobatic exhibitions by precision units such as the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels.

The event this weekend will include many static displays of military and historic aircraft as well as aerobatic exhibitions by several of Hawaii's top pilots.  See the link above for more information.


One of the "stars" of the show arrived today, a Rockwell/Boeing B1-B bomber from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota.  The B-1B holds 61 world records for speed, payload and distance and is not an airplane you would want to have 60,000 ft overhead... and angry at you.


B1-B foreground.  C-17 Globemaster III background.

 Also arriving today were two General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters out of Misawa AFB Japan. 



F-16 Fighting Falcons

These will participate in flyby demonstrations as part of the weekend activities. 

All aerobatics and other flight operations will take place between normally scheduled air carrier flights during the day, which makes this show somewhat unique.  It's the only way an airshow could take place at a regular airport like Kona, and why most are held at smaller venues or ones without scheduled air service.


C-17 engine repairs

And while all this is going on "roadside repair" work continues on the C-17 engine.  He may become an unscripted, but welcome, part of the program if they don't finish before the weekend.  It will be just one more treat for the kiddies.