Warbird Information Exchange

If the Blue Angels are thought to double the attendance, that would surely be a great thing for the Yankee organization, but has anyone put any thought into better dealing with the traffic issues??? I drive 4 1/2 hours every year because I know that it is always worth the drive, but come on fellas, why the hour and a half wait to park and another hour to get through security? Yes, I have been leaving earlier every year and will get on the list for a hotel room, but I spoke to a lot of people last year in the security line who had the same questions as I did about the long traffic/parking lines. Having said all that, as long as there is a show at YIP, I will be there! Fantabulous show last year especially

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Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.

A super six page article on the 2006 Thunder Over Michigan Show (story by Paul Koskela/photos by Ken Dawson) was recently published in the EAA Warbirds Magazine.

Cheers,
Tom Walsh.

Uh, I TRULY don't mean to be a smarta**, but I don't remember it ever taking more than fifteen minutes to reaching a parking space. And it hasn't taken me more than a few minutes to get through the gate.
Have I been missing something?

Karpis - I don't think you're being a Smart..., but I think that the addition of the BLUE ANGELS to the air show lineup at Thunder Over Michigan does raise some very legitimate concerns about traffic and parking issues. I have no doubt that David Schultz's organization and the Yankee Air Museum folks are planning a big effort to deal with this, but if the attendance were to at least double just as a guess over 2005 and 2006 (years I attended), then it is obvious that this is potentially a very big issue. There will I am sure be a LOT more non-hardcore warbird fans there this year, and that is GREAT for the Yankee Air Museum, but it does make getting people in and out a much greater logistical challenge.

I am looking forward to the show very much, and plan to be there Friday the 6th to see arrivals and in the Photo Pit on Saturday the 7th.

Mike and I have spent MANY hours on the topic of traffic flow, since we know the crowds will be larger.
We have re-designed and created more entry points into the airfield and are working with our admission and parking teams to come up with an effective processing system.
We want this show to be an enjoyable experience for all attending (hardcore and non-hardcore warbird fans)!!
Kevin Walsh
Air Show Director
Thunder Over Michigan Air Show
Yankee Air Museum

From all of us non-hardcore types who do not camp outside the gates overnight, I extend a great big THANK YOU to you Mr Walsh and Mike for your understanding at least of what I was referring to

For those of us who come in off of 94, the nightmare traffic begins shortly after exiting the Interstate. Like I said though, the pain is worth the payoff...at least to me

Great show, great people and splendid aircraft!

_________________
Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.

Maybe I DID miss the gist of that . I thought the concern was over PAST shows, and that's what I was referring to. I simply meant I had never had much of a problem getting in. But obviously the addition of the Blues could increase the wait time THIS year.
By the way, last year for the first time, Thunder Over Louisville featured the Blues. Whereas the crowds were obviously bigger, it really didn't seem to make the in or out time that much worse than it has been in the past. . Granted, we're talking about downtown Louisville as opposed to an airport, but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that things will go smoothly.

On several boards there were people who said they had long delays getting into the show, I think that is what is being referred too. I generally get there very early, either for the photo tour or just very early and I also prefer to be kicked out at the end of the day, Sort of a tradition of mine. So I’m not one that generally has a traffic problem also.

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

Thunder's 2007 Aircraft List updated as of today.

www.yankeeairmuseum.org/airshow/

Cheers,
Tom Walsh.

A fifth P-47 Thunderbolt "No Guts No Glory" has been added to Thunder's 2007 lineup.

Cheers,
Tom Walsh.

In addition to maybe seeing 15 to 20 +or- B-25s in the air at one time, here is possibly another potential highlight to the show:

FIVE P-47 Thunderbolts in the air at one time!


Jim C.

Just 5 near each other makes me very happy!

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

It looks like the CAF's SB2C Helldiver will be their as well! Though it is not listed on Thunder's website it is however, listed at www.sb2chelldiver.org as a confirmed event!

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

Well, the news about the 5th T-Bolt is great. I have never been to an airshow where 47's outnumber 51's.....although this may change. Anyhow, great news guys....keep up the great work.

Jeff

Thought I'd bump this thread back up, with a couple of my photos from last year. Enjoy