Air Show Extravaganzas Climb Top Ten List

Hard dives. Gut swirling loops. White steam spraying out of manifolds. You don't have to be a pilot to appreciate the sound of booming jet propelled engines scissoring overhead or be captivated by the sight of synchronized planes diving in perfect symmetry just after engines cut out only to be restarted seconds before perilously crashing.

Air shows are awe inspiring for every community filled with want to-be dare devils who can enjoy and appreciate the dramatic effects of acrobatic aviation from the safety of the ground. That's part of why the Richland County Airport Authority and the Sidney Chamber of Commerce went to so much trouble to ensure Sidney was able to offer high caliber air performances to the area in 2013 and in years past.

This year, they were able to offer two shows; the Canadian Forces Snowbirds last May and Wings of Freedom III this past September with performances including skydivers, high flying aerobatics, a 36,000 horsepower Shockwave Jet Truck capable of accelerations of 3Gs, and a wing-walker.

"We have been able to bring in some of the top performers in the world. This is our home and we want to provide this kind of quality entertainment to our community. We have been able to do that with great success because we have a community that supports our efforts and actively gets involved in that process," said Alan Seigfried, Chairperson for the Wings of Freedom Air Show Committee.

The Committee is made up of pilots and local aviation enthusiasts who say they receive the most gratification when all the work is done and they know they have done the best they could to ensure a show's success.

With so much work that goes into organizing an air show through collaboration with the FAA, 2013 was a unique year with the Committee able to host two separate events. While the Wings of Freedom Air Show was a meticulously planned event, hosting the Snowbirds came about somewhat unexpectedly. The Snowbirds contacted Bryan Prevost, a Sidney pilot and acquaintance, and expressed an interest in performing and the Committee was happy to accept their offer.

During their stay in Sidney they were also able to coordinate their mandatory performance review, an FAA requirement which allows them permission to perform in the U.S. "We were happy to host the FAA's test to ensure they could continue to perform in this country," Seigfried said.

The Snowbirds performed in five U.S. air shows this year.

Like nearly every event that takes place in a small community, the amount of in-kind work donated by volunteers served as the driving force that made both events possible. The Committee itself is comprised of over 10 volunteers who dedicate their time to ensuring the events' success.

Planning an air show can take anywhere from six to nine months once all of the paperwork and safety checks are completed.

The Snowbirds 431 Air Demonstration Squadron is based in Moose Jaw, Canada and flies CT-114 Tudors. Previously, they performed in Sidney in 2009.

Another air show took place in Sidney back in 2004.

Siegfried said the Committee plans to wait at least a year before they will think about planning another air show. Historically, because of the expense of hosting air shows, most events do not generate money. However, in previous years Sidney has been able to secure a profit from their events with the money going into an account designated as seed money to be used for the next air show they host.

"With so much that goes on in our community, we are just glad to see it was considered to be one of the top ten events to take place in Sidney this year. We couldn't do it without the generosity of the wonderful businesses and community that support us," Seigfried said.