kalamazookid wrote:
Anyone have good leads on decent (cheap) places to stay and/or any other advice on attending the show? Is there a good place to set up chairs along a flightline or is it more informal? I'm planning on going but haven't gotten around to looking into much yet. Would appreciate any advice from anyone who has gone before.
Really looking forward to this show. Seeing the Mosquito debut and so many rare aircraft I've never had the chance to see before will be awesome!
bmoran/Kalamazoo, I live close and can attest it is a great event. I was there in 2011 (as it was a must for me as I had never seen a Lancaster). 2012 was mostly a rainout with just a little flying.
For 2011 The flight schedule was about the same on the saturday and the sunday and was done in waves, with 4-6 aircraft in each wave. Each wave was a similar group of aircraft like light trainers, pre-war, then advanced trainers, attack aircraft, fighters, heavies, axis fighters etc. Each wave would taxi out on the main grass strip, take off and do several passes, land and then the next wave would get ready. Some of the waves flew over the main grass strip and the fighters seemed to do go over the axis strip at centerline. If you sit by the large hangers where the take off runs start (assuming prevailing winds from the west) you may find yourself quite a way from the planes as they fly over the axis runway. So you may want to shift your seating a few times depending on what you want to see. There were a few planes I wanted to see start up (fighters by the large hangers). Each wave was @20 minutes. Mostly sedate flying and few higher speed passes, no agressive aerobatics, was is just fine with me. Loved the low pass by the B-25 and the two "missed approaches" by the Lancaster. P-51 did a nice display, and enjoyed the "attack" dives by the skyraider.
You can stand or sit anywhere you want along the main grass runway, and can get close to the flight line. the hangers and inside museum is also open. I would bring a simple fold up chair with a shoulder strap like you would bring to watch a kids soccer game and pick a spot where you want to sit. Prime chair spots may fill up by the main hangers early, but plenty of space down the main runway. I liked being a little farther down where the planes would get to up to speed. More crowded by the hangers. If there is a wave that is less interesting to you, take that time to stroll the hangers or the camps.
Plenty of vendors with food, souveneers etc. Lines for food could be a little long, but you can see the flying while in line.
The strip has an intimate feel and you are free to walk around and there are many re-enactor "camps" set up along the flight line. They bring their period costumes, tents, equipment etc. WWII German seem to be the most represented.
The hangers and hardstands are open and you can walk right up to the airplanes. They do shoo folks back from the aircraft as they get ready to strat them up, but you can be @25 feet away when they start up- neat.
Virginia weather that time of year is notoriusly unpredictable. 2011 was hot (80's?) with many seeking shelter in the hangers, and 2012 was mostly a write off with high winds on saturday and rain on sunday. Keep a close eye on the weather if debating which day to go. If high winds are predicted one day, choose the other.
Hotels in the main oceanfront area of Virginia Beach are the way to go. 30 minutes to the MAM field. No hotels near MAM.- it is out in quiet farm land. As others have said that is just before prime tourist season, so fairly good deals can be had. Places on Atlantic blvd are on the beach, or just accross the street. Some of the hotels are nice and modern, but some are shall we say "well used" from the 1950's. Be wary of really cheap places that do not have a picture of them on the website. Sticking with recognized national hotel chains may be the best way to ensure a cleaner, modern stay. Plenty to do at the oceanfront as far at food etc. Typical eastern seaboard town with t-shirt shops, taffy, tacky souveneers...
Lots of other stuff to do if aviation is not your only goal and the Mrs. needs soemthing else. Fort Monroe is neat and free. The Transportation Museum at Ft Eustis is overlooked and very neat (on base will need a guest pass). Yorktown is a great Battlefield. Colonial Williamsburg, etc.
The MAM show is great! Enjoy it. Hope this helps.
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You ought to stop by!! (I also can't believe you admitted that fact on THIS forum!! Why don't you just admit to being a communist while you're at it!! 
