GreenWood Lake Air Show 2021

Greenwood Lake air show kicked off with the aero shells launching from the runway, later gaining an altitude to drop a parachutist from 8,000 feet. Once in formation, the parachutist dropped and began their spiral downward. They unfolded an American flag as they sang the National anthem, the aero shells circling. Next up was Home Wrecker. An F-750 with 3 GE J85 turbine engines. They were firing those engines for a moment as they crept down the runway and sent shock waves into the chests of spectators. You could feel the power of this thing. Circling to race a plane, however, it seemed as if one of them had gotten a false start as Home Wrecker screamed down the runway, the plane trailing behind. It would have been a close race, as this truck has a quarter-mile time of just over six seconds. Next up, Tom Larkin warmed up his SubSonex miniature jet on the runway and performed acrobats in his jet-powered by a PBS TJ-100 engine. Now, I couldn’t help but think of Buzz Lightyear, as the jet looked very similar. The plane came in a kit and was the first ever sold and flown, and it has been flying for approximately three years. However, the experience can’t be bought, as Tom Larkin is an accomplished fighter, airline, and aerobatic pilot. The next act had none. Crashing the air show, the Alabama boys took over and demanded a flight lesson despite the day's events. While seated and shown the aircraft’s controls, one of the Alabama boys took off down the runway. They were making it into the sky and performing many acrobatics. Even more surprising was the landing. You probably imagine them crashing, yet they put the aircraft down onto a moving pickup truck. Unbelievable!

As mentioned earlier, the Aeroshells fly an AT-6 Texan, the primary training platform for all U.S. airmen in WWII, leading us into the next act. A WWII showcase flyover! The planes represented were iconic P-51, P-40, and B-25. They came in fast to the right and buzzed over spectators. Which took me back to how quickly they moved through the sky. Saturday night's air show ended with a bang as night fell on the performers. Leds now illuminated their planes, their props back-lit, and what appeared to be sparklers on their wingtips trailing through the night sky as they performed again at dusk. They again brought Home Wrecker out, and the show reached a crescendo. Pyrotechnics accompanied now pulsing its turbine engines once again. I was in awe as the music played. The jet truck screamed down the runway as fireworks blasted off, all while planes performed their routine overhead. What an incredible show.

If there's an airshow close to you, I’d recommend checking it out. It made me proud to be an American. Thanks to all the volunteers, staff, and performers at the Greenwood Lake airport. I apologize for not including every act. I expect to arrive at next year's show to capture better photos. Until then, next weekend is the Thunderbirds over the great Pocono Raceway, and I look forward to bringing you more photos from that event.