Wings Over Pittsburgh Thrills Steel City Airshow Fans
By Hayman Tam
Thunderbirds four-ship diamond flies over Pittsburgh, PA. (Hayman Tam)The significance of September 11th was not lost on the minds of the airshow fans gathered that day in Pittsburgh to attend one of the largest airshows on the East Coast. This annual event is traditionally held on Father’s Day weekend to ensure good weather but after a one-year absence, organizers moved it to 9/11 with a strong patriotic theme.
Hosted by the 911th Airlift Wing, based at Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, the “Wings Over Pittsburgh” two-day event drew record crowds this year. An estimated 175,000 folks got into Saturday’s Wings Over Pittsburgh show before the gates were closed, frustrating drivers who traveled from far and near only to be turned away when parking capacity in the local township of Moon was reached. Many fans ended up watching the performances from their cars stuck on the clogged highways. Another 120,000 fans showed up Sunday, with the Steelers football season opener helping to thin the crowds a bit.
Rob Holland and Jack Knutson are the Firebirds Xtreme aerobatics team. (Hayman Tam)Show attendees were treated to perennial favorites such as Sean Tucker and Tim Weber, both turning in skillful performances. Sean held the crowd’s attention as he demonstrated once-again why he is considered one of the greatest airshow pilots ever. The East Coast ‘Firebirds Xtreme’ team executed a crisp two-ship routine. Manfred Radius demonstrated what a sailplane is truly capable of, and Otto the Helicopter rounded out the civilian acts. Retired USMC Lt. Col Art Nalls took to the sky twice, first in his L-39 Albatros and later in his very own Sea Harrier to show the crowds that even civilians can have V/STOL fun.
Thundering military demonstrations were provided courtesy of the F/A-18F Super Hornet and F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft in attendance. The US Army Golden Knights could be counted on to deliver the flag with style and flair, using one of the 911th’s C-130’s as a jump aircraft. The Thunderbirds performance provided the day’s final touch, although the low cloud cover played havoc with Sunday’s flight lineup, eventually clearing enough for them to perform.
The E2C Hawkeye fleet has been retrofitted with these new composite propellers. (Hayman Tam)A wide spectrum of military aircraft was on static display, ranging from a fifty-year old B-52 Stratofortress to a new E/A-18G Growler. Planes such as F-5 Aggressor, P-3C Orion and EA-6B Prowler all helped to add variety to the flightine. A carrier-based E-2C Hawkeye displayed its sinister looking eight-bladed composite propellers. NASA sent one of their Dryden-based F/A-18 chase aircraft.
Rotorcraft fans got to see a pair of AH-64 Apaches up close, surrounded by vintage brethren in the form of a Sikorsky S-58 and a UH-1 Huey. FedEx displayed an Airbus A310 that was very hard to miss.
Warbird turnout was low compared to West Coast airshows. A rare C-123K Provider was there along with a Berlin Airlift themed C-54 Skymaster. The Disabled American Veterans organization brought their restored B-25J ‘Panchito’, a 
F-18 rides were available for the smaller airshow fans. (Hayman Tam)crowd favorite with its mirror finish.
Aside from the usual airshow food and souvenir vendors, one entire hangar was devoted to local businesses, military support organizations, and government agencies such as NASA.
Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station is located on the grounds of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). The two resident units, the 911th Airlift Wing and 171st Air Refueling Wing, provided local color with their C-130 and KC-135 aircraft.
