In the air and on the ground, Amigo Airsho entertains

Oct 03, 2008 (El Paso Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- TKTM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Golf has Tiger Woods. Basketball has LeBron James. But when air show organizers want to put people in the seats, they turn to the gravity-defying stunts of a precision military jet team like the Air Force's Thunderbirds or the Navy's Blue Angels.

But when they're not available, who you gonna call?

How about the team from our neighbors to the north, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, who will headline the 27th annual Toyota Presents Amigo Airsho from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Biggs Army Airfield.

"Because it is competitive, we don't normally get the American jet teams back to back (years)," explained Terrie Todd, an 18-year volunteer who took over as the executive director of the nonprofit air show last October. "If you look at our 27-year history, we've had a jet team more than most (air shows)."

The Snowbirds are made up of pilots from the country's various armed forces.

"The Canadians only do 16 U.S. shows a year, and they were just here in 2006," Todd said. "The fact

that they selected the Amigo again in 2008 is a testament to our show."

So is an annual turnout of between 65,000 and 70,000 people, who'll find the action in a new location about 2.5 miles northeast of its traditional location at Biggs Army Airfield. The move, necessitated by major construction at the post, also forced organizers to move parking off the installation to a secure area just inside Fort Bliss' Robert E. Lee gate, where sky-watchers will be shuttled to and from the site for free.

How to keep them entertained?

Well, there are the teams that perform aerial feats, such as the Snowbirds, the U. S. Army's Golden Knights precision parachute squad, teams that will show off Air Force and Navy hardware and civilians like stunt pilots Tim Weber and Greg Poe, veterans who've teamed up after years of flying solo.

"One thing we pride ourselves on is we love a diverse show," Todd said. "We have a lot of the military demonstration teams."

Bids for military teams like the Snowbirds or an F-16 Fighting Falcon team must be submitted by September each year. Their schedules are released in December at the annual International Council of Air Shows convention, where the Amigo and reps from 400 other North American air shows bid on headliners. Todd said a "healthy" portion of the show's $750,000 budget goes to the talent.

While those daring men and women in their flying machines strut their aerial stuff between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, organizers are intent on keeping fans of all ages occupied through the show's 10 a.m.-6 p.m. run each day.

"We have put as much emphasis on the ground entertainment as the air entertainment," Todd said. "As a 27-year-old event, we want to appeal to all ages. We know from the aviation standpoint that we have a lot of aviation enthusiasts, but another part of our mission is aviation education. In addition, we want to entertain, so we have very diverse entertainment at the ground level, from car shows and kids activities to concerts and the Virtual Army Experience."

With the new parking arrangement (you'll have to show your driver's license, proof of insurance and registration at the gate), organizers hope to avoid overwhelming the shuttle buses when the aerial fireworks end around 4 p.m. each day. So they've put together two hours of post-show diversions, including performances by local band Chapter 13 at 4 p.m. Saturday and Latin reggae-rock hybrid artists Radio La Chusma at 4 p.m. Sunday.

There also will be motocross exhibitions, children's activities and the so-called "static," or land-based aviation displays.

"At the end of the show everybody wants to go," said Michael Guerra, vice president of logistics, "so we're keeping our ground activities open longer."

Here's a rundown of what announcer Larry L. Strain will be telling you about -- in the skies and on the ground.

In the air

Canadian Forces Snowbirds -- The high-flying nine-member precision jet team performs more than 50 maneuvers at speeds ranging up to 320 knots.

F-15E Strike Eagle -- The strike fighter is designed for long-range attacks and was used effectively during Desert Storm.

F-16 Fighting Falcon -- The Air Force's multi-role jet is considered a "dogfighter," with innovations such as a side-mounted controller for use under high g-forces.

Greg Poe and Tim Weber -- Two of the nation's foremost aerobatic fliers and top airshow performers team up for a show likely to prove doubly daring.

U.S. Army Golden Knights -- The Army's precision skydiving team, which started in 1959, is one of the Amigo Airsho's most popular aerial attractions.

U.S.A.F. Military Demos -- The teams are made up of six different planes.

U.S.A.F. Heritage Flight P-38 -- Steve Hinton will pilot the Porky II, a World War II-era twin-engine fighter and bomber.

U.S. Navy TAC/Demo F/A 18 -- The Hornet is used primarily by the Navy and United States Marine Corps and is the Blue Angels' jet of choice.

U.S. Navy Legacy Flight -- Fighter planes from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

On the ground

Freestyle Motocross -- The World Stunts Freestyle Motocross team will perform three exhibitions on a specially built course, where they'll be joined by a monster truck.

Jet Powered School Bus -- Speed for Hire's Paul Stender will put a jet engine in anything, including an outhouse. This time, it's a school bus kids will want to ride (but shouldn't!).

Fort Bliss Displays -- Tanks, missiles and helicopters from the U.S. Army and German air force.

Kids Fun Zone -- Rides, rock climbing, slides, Army touring van, motocross, Toyota NASCAR trailer and more.

Static Aircraft Displays -- Vintage to state-of-the-art aircraft from all branches of the military, plus civilian and commercial craft.

Tradesho -- Local businesses and educational institutions tout their wares.

Doug Pullen may be reached at dpullen@elpasotimes.com; 546-6397.

makeplans

--What: 27th annual Toyota Presents the Amigo Airsho.

--When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

--Where: Biggs Army Airfield.

--How much: Free for active military with ID, children 5 and younger; $5 in advance, $10 day of for children; $8 in advance, $10 day of, U.S. military dependents and seniors; $10 in advance, $15 day of for adults (chalets start at $20; VIP chalets at $100); on sale at participating Circle K and Albertsons stores, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and 544-8444.

--Web site: amigoairsho.org.

--Information: 562-6446.

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