A Rocky Mountain Navy air show

The 2024 Pikes Peak Regional Airshow, held at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport (KCOS) in Colorado Aug. 17-18, was a huge success, with sold-out crowds of 15,000 attendees each day.

More than two dozen different aircraft flew during the air show, including civilian, military, propeller, jet, old, and new, with even more aircraft on static display.

Even though Colorado Springs is landlocked and at high altitude, the 2024 air show was the “official air show of the unofficial Rocky Mountain Navy,” joked one volunteer.

That’s because the star of the show was the Blue Angels, the US Navy demonstration team, who always deliver a top-notch performance. The team showed its range when Sunday’s air show was changed to the “low-altitude show” due to persistent cloud cover.

Also on hand was the Navy Band Southwest, “The Destroyers” from San Diego, who performed a wide-ranging playlist on both mornings of the show.

Other military performances included an F-22 Raptor demo, flown by Air Force Academy graduate Captain Samuel “Razz” Larson.

The F-22 Raptor Demonstration team is a popular fixture at air shows, performing a solo demonstration and also flying Heritage Flights.

The F-22 also did a popular Heritage Flight with a P-38 Lightning, “White 33,” based at KCOS.

For a look at a different kind of F-18, the U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Airshow Team showed off its two aircraft, then performed a Heritage Flight featuring Jim Tobul’s F-3A Corsair.

Both the Air Force and Air Force Academy parachute teams also participated in the show. Parachutists helped open the show and also carried the flag of each branch of military service.

One of the parachutists from the USAF Wings of Blue team brings in a POW/MIA banner as part of the show opener.

There also was a C-130 modular aerial firefighting systems (MAFFS) demo, as well as the Blue Angels’ C-130 “Fat Albert.”

Fat Albert flies by the Blue Angels fleet.

Civilian performers included Colorado’s own Bob Freeman in his brand new — and the very first — Extra 330SX (with 315-hp Lycoming AEIO-580 power!) and the always-impressive Kyle Franklin with his Franklin’s Flying Circus.

Bob Freeman and his Extra 330SC simply work with a different set of the Laws of Physics. Enjoy his performance and do not try this at home.

Kyle Franklin rarely flies his Super Cub straight and level, but when he does, he’s probably flying “no-hands.” Don’t try this at home either.

Since the Colorado Springs Airport also is home to the National Museum of World War II Aviation and WestPac Restorations, the air show offered some truly remarkable and rare aircraft, including a PBY-5 Catalina, B-25J Mitchell, two TBM Avengers, an SBD Dauntless, rare Brewster F3F Flying Barrel, Douglas AD-5 Skyraider, and two different Grumman F7F Tigercats. A P-47 Thunderbolt and a P-51 Mustang rounded out the flying displays.

A PBY-5A Catalina from the local National Museum of World War II Aviation was one of many popular and rare aircraft shown off for the crowd.

This B-25J Mitchell bomber, “In The Mood,” is one of very few that has had multiple aircraft carrier takeoffs and landings.

One of 2,291 built and two flying at the air show, this Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bomber took to the skies over Colorado Springs.

This Grumman F3F-2 Flying Barrel was the last operational US biplane fighter. It was state of the art in 1936 but started being removed from service by 1941.

Air shows can be tough for spectators, especially in Colorado’s high desert prairie climate. Field elevation is 6,180 MSL and it was a very hot, sunny, dry weekend with Saturday’s air temps in the 90s°. There’s not much shade at air shows, either.

This had an effect with some 100 spectators getting treated for heat issues on Saturday and 10 taken offsite for treatment. Show management added a free water bottle station and gave heat protection announcements throughout the second day of the show.

The Pikes Peak Regional Airshow stands out due to the consistently friendly, positive, and helpful attitude of the 800-plus volunteers and staff, docents, vendors, and show participants. There was a great small-town vibe of sharing and positivity that’s unexpected for such a large event.

For more information: PPRAirshow.org