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Ramona Air Show Flies into Town
By Johnny McDonald
 | | Photo by Darrel Kinney
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With a booming noise from a couple of Navy FA18 Hornets overhead, townspeople will know the 12th annual Ramona Air Show is here. The skies will light up June 23-24.
That loud sound will be music to the ears of Carol Fowler, who, a few years ago, helped turn a quiet Air Fair into a viable, exciting and entertaining aerial circus.
The jet fighters from Lemoore AFB, similar to those of the famous Blue Angels, will set down Thursday, June 21 to prepare for a part in a program with wing-walking, aerobatics, speed runs and demonstrations, with a bit of nostalgia tossed in.
Fowler said between 12,000 and 15,000 people are expected to visit the two-day event, giving them the opportunity to touch and tour airplanes and helicopters, to talk with pilots and to learn about aviation in general.
"When the fighter jets came out the first time we had an air show, I didn't realize they'd be so loud and I failed to notify anyone," Fowler said. "People sort of freaked out. This year, I sent out all kinds of letters to alert people."
Silhouetted against the sky, Silver Wings Wingwalkers will make their initial appearance in the valley with Margaret Silvers and pilot Hartley Folstad entertaining. Their show is a combination of balance, finesse, precision and sport.
Aerobatics will be executed by Doug Jardine and Jacquie Warda. Jardine will be at the controls of a Cessna 152 and Warda will handle a Lycoming she calls Red Eagle. Warda is one of only a handful of female air show pilots, and said she is at home flying upside down and close to the ground.
Spectators can relive a little history when Chuck Hall flies his P41 Mustang and John Collver takes off in an AT6 he calls the War Dog. Hall, a show regular, is a former air race pilot while Collver is entering his 25th year performing in professional air shows. The War Dog was recovered from a Japanese scrap yard in 1978 and restored a year later.
Another newcomer will be the Red Star Association comprised of civilian and ex-military aviators demonstrating formation skills in Russian YAK 52 and Chinese Nanchang CJ 6 aircraft. These eight-cylinder radial engine aircraft put out quite a rumble, too.
"Expect to have two fuel dragsters on the runway to make runs and race airplanes," Fowler added. "Also there will be a fire retardant demonstration. And, we're working on a car show."
Displays of historic and contemporary aircraft, including helicopter, ultra lights and air tankers have been popular. Show organizers, headed by President Rick Hall, make sure the presentations are different each year.
The Ramona Airport is also the home of the Ramona Air Attack Base, which launches planes that fight wildfires throughout Southern California.
The air show is staged by the nonprofit Ramona Air Fair Inc., the California Department of Forestry, the county of San Diego airports and the U.S. Forest Service. Proceeds will go to the Air Tanker Fliers Memorial Fund for families of fallen pilots. Last year, $5,000 was raised.
Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free. The show schedule is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. For more information, call 760-788-3366 or visit www.ramonaairshow.com n
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