California’s first full pandemic airshow season concluded in Salinas in October 2021.
It wasn’t all that long ago that this delayed season started in August only to end 10 weeks and seven airshows later. While 17 events were planned, the COVID Delta surge claimed many of them. A far cry from the 32 shows held in 2019, but fans were still happy for the chance to get out in the open air and watch airplanes fly.
2021 marked the milestone 40th anniversary of the California International Airshow Salinas. Since its inception, the show has raised more than $8 million for local charities.
The international aspect of the airshow failed to materialize this year due to pandemic-related border closures, so the grounds were absent of the usual strong showing from our Canadian neighbors. Weather was certainly a toss up as Saturday attendees coped with damp conditions and cloud cover that cleared for afternoon flight ops, while Sunday brought clear skies.
Vicky Benzing, sponsored by California Aeronautical University, took to the sky in her scarlet 1940 Stearman to start off the aerial demonstrations. Tom Larkin performed in his diminutive SubSonex jet, followed by Jon Melby in the Hangar 24 Pitts biplane.
Salinas was lucky to have not one, but two flight demonstrations of the new fifth-generation Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. The first one started in high gear with the Navy demo of the F-35C, the carrier capable version of the Lightning II. The high energy performance was punctuated with an amazing show of vapor pulled from the damp air. The spare F-35C also made an appearance as both stealth aircraft performed US Navy Legacy Flight fly-bys accompanied by a 1950s T-28 Trojan trainer.
The USAF F-35A Lightning II demo, in the capable hands of Major Kristin “Beo” Wolfe was a delight.
At the conclusion of her vapor filled performance, she paired up with a P-51 Mustang for several USAF Heritage Flight passes. This was the first time that I could recall seeing both Navy and Air Force memorial flights in the same show.
Veteran test pilot Chuck Coleman also performed with his Extra 300. His flying skills were recently put to use during filming of the “Top Gun” sequel where he was the aerobatic flight instructor.
Local resident and incomparable airshow performer Sean Tucker also made an appearance. With his signature Oracle Challenger now hanging in the Smithsonian, Sean piloted the Bob Hoover Academy T-6 Texan to perform a lower energy routine than what he was used to. Apparently someone asked him what can he do with the T-6 and his reply was “Not much!”
A Cessna 152, also from the Bob Hoover Academy, performed fly-bys as the mission of the academy was narrated to the crowd. Founded by Sean and Eric Tucker, the academy is a STEM outreach program for at-risk and underserved teens.
Warbird fans enjoyed Greg “Wired” Colyer as he performed in his Cold War era Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star “Ace Maker,” one of several T-33s in his stable.
A quartet of P-51 Mustangs also did a series of fly-bys.
The headliner USAF Thunderbirds closed out the show with their new updated routine, their first major change in 38 years. The team wanted to improve the audience experience and consulted with Disney and Universal Studios as they reworked the entire show with new maneuvers, music, and narration.
Some of the non-flying acts this year included Hot Streak II, a 1957 Chevy pickup powered by two jet engines capable of 300 miles per hour, the Smoke n Thunder dragster, and some monster trucks.
Only a few current military aircraft were on site for static display, ranging from the Moffett-based C-130J Hercules at one end of the tarmac to the NAS Lemoore MH-60 Knighthawk search and rescue helicopter at the other end.
Several civilian organizations were on hand with static displays, including both the Monterey County Sheriff’s and Cal Fire.
More Photos From The Show
This conspicuous Lancair Legacy named “Pink Panther” has raced at Reno in the Sport Class with a Third Place finish. 
This Velocity XL-RG conducted a weather assessment flight prior to the starts of the California International Airshow Salinas. This homebuilt kitplane traces its lineage to the Rutan Long-EZ. 
A Brazilian produced SeaMax M-22 amphibious LSA on display. This aircraft has folding wings and a ballistic parachute system. 
First flown in 1977, the aerobatic Christen Eagle homebuilt was designed to compete with the Pitts Special. 
A pretty 1926 Travel Air 4000, the pilot sits in the rear cockpit with room for two in the front. 
A classic Stearman on display. Of the 10,000+ produced, 353 were PT-13D Kaydets like this one. 
The USAF F-35A Lightning II Demo Team performance routine included this weapons bay photo pass. After years of delays, the Air Force declared the F-35A combat ready in August 2016. 
Tom Larkin, with his Subsonex Jet, chats with the fans at the California International Airshow Salinas.