Air show premieres and a retirement

Bob Freeman, who competed with the US Unlimited Aerobatic Team in 2017 and has flown in three world championships, performs during the final air show of his career.

Government shutdown: Those two words rocked air show organizers nationwide as they scrambled with the impact to their events.

The folks behind the California International Airshow Salinas were no different as the shutdown occurred a mere three days before the Oct. 4-5, 2025, show at Salinas Municipal Airport (KSNS), scrubbing the headliner Blue Angels appearance.

One person I spoke with at the show had traveled all the way from Colorado to see the Blue Angels again after more than 20 years. While many attendees were similarly disappointed, I found my silver lining in the depth and variety of performances still on the show schedule.

Some vintage types at this end of the display tarmac. An Aeronca 7AC Champion in the foregound, Piper J-3C Cub and PT-13B Stearman in back.

One performer of note is Bob Freeman, a renowned Colorado-based aerobatic pilot and air show performer who recently announced his retirement, declaring that Salinas would be his last air show performance. This was also Bob’s first time performing at Salinas. I have seen Bob fly at other shows and he delivered a crisp, precise performance for the folks here, especially when demonstrating why his name on the side of his Extra 330SX is inverted.

Bob Freeman loves being inverted, in case you hadn’t noticed. Bob finished his air show career flying this Extra 330SX, the third Extra he’s owned.

Two other Salinas premieres that I eagerly awaited were from Archer and Joby. Both of these eVTOL companies declared their vehicles ready for the bright lights of the air show world.

Archer had the home field advantage, having conducted its flight testing in Salinas since 2021. The Archer flight demo had its Midnight aircraft perform a conventional flight demo, consisting of multiple passes but no transition to hover. One marketing point for eVTOL aircraft is their reduced noise footprint compared to a helicopter. Sporting no less than 12 rotors, the Archer Midnight generated little noise other than the electric whirring of the rotors.

The Archer Midnight in forward flight, pulled by the six pivoting proprotors while the six fixed vertical rotors are stowed. The Midnight eVTOL will serve as the official air taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Joby stepped up to the challenge with its JAS4-1 aircraft. The company recently began daily public demonstration flights in Osaka, Japan, at EXPO 2025 and this would be its first flights for a hometown gathering. The Joby aircraft made the short flight from Marina Municipal Airport (KOAR) and, like Archer, conducted several conventional flight passes.

Things then got real interesting when the Joby demonstrated a full transition to hover and then back to forward flight. Like its competitor, the Joby generated little noise in forward flight or hover. I must admit I was a bit disappointed that neither eVTOL performed a vertical landing.

The Joby JAS4 seen during the hover phase of its flight demo.

Ed Hamill and Vicky Benzing rounded out the performer slate, with Ed performing in his very patriotic “Folds of Glory” Pitts biplane. Local favorite Vicky performed in her Stearman and returned later in “Plum Crazy,” her purple P-51 Mustang.

Former F-16 pilot USAF Col. (Ret) Ed Hamill streaks across the sky in his Pitts Special. Folds of Honor provides scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled military and first responders.

Vicky Benzing waves to the crowd after her performance with the classic 1940 Stearman. She acquired this plane in 1998 and has performed for almost 20 years with it.

Vicky Benzing returned to entertain the fans with her P-51 Mustang “Plum Crazy.” The previous owner, Clay Lacy, piloted this Mustang to become the Reno champ back in 1970.

As for warbirds, not counting Plum Crazy, five more P-51 Mustangs were on hand along with a C-47 and several training aircraft.

The lovely “Kimberly Kaye,” one of six P-51 Mustangs that took to the air over Salinas. More than 8,100 of the P-51D model were produced, contributing to the total of 15,000 Mustangs built for the war.

An iconic Douglas C-47B Skytrain makes a photo pass over show center. Named “Betsy’s Biscuit Bomber,” this C-47 participated in the Berlin Airlift, dropping essential supplies (nicknamed “biscuits”) into West Berlin.

Speaking of training, the Bob Hoover Academy brought a few of its fleet for an aerial parade. Founded by air show legend Sean Tucker, the Salinas airport-based academy operates as a full-time public high school and offers weekly ground school, flight training, and aviation mechanic training for at-risk students.

A Piper Cub from the Bob Hoover Academy makes it way past show center with an instructor pilot and one of the student pilots.

There was a noticeable increase in the number of static display aircraft, as everyone did their part to ensure a good time for air show fans. Several bizjets were also spotted on the display tarmac.

Developed in the mid-1970s, the Yakovlev Yak-50 is a highly successful Soviet-era aerobatic and trainer aircraft. The inlet louvers behind the prop control the amount of engine cooling.

This subscale Nieuport 21 fighter replica was displayed with vehicles of that era. The real Nieuport 21 saw service with 15 nations. The United States Army Air Service used them as trainers.

This Dassault Falcon 2000EX is a long range bizjet with a range of 3,800 miles. The Falcon series combines wide-body comfort of large jets with the fuel efficiency and performance of lighter aircraft.

A big shout out to our neighbors up north as the Royal Canadian Air Force brought two aircraft to validate the international aspect of the event’s title.

With this unique profile, one can see why this Royal Canadian Air Force Bombardier CT-142 is nicknamed “Gonzo.” Only four of these systems training aircraft are in RCAF service.

This hi-viz Airbus CC-295 Kingfisher is one of the newest aircraft in the RCAF, entering service in May 2025. This aircraft is tailored for the demanding Canadian search and rescue environment.

Cal Fire was well represented with two fixed wing aircraft and a Firehawk helicopter.

The Cal Fire OV-10A Bronco prepares to depart the Salinas show for the short flight back to the Hollister Air Attack Base. In 1993, these military surplus aircraft replaced Cessna O-2A Skymasters in use by Cal Fire.

Arriving fashionably late, a Cal Fire Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk lands at Salinas Municipal Airport. In 2025 Cal Fire completed the transition of their helicopter assets to the Firehawk.

Warbird expert Taigh Ramey brought a very spiffy A-26 Invader to show.

This lovely Douglas A-26C Invader hails from the Stockton Field Aviation Museum. The A-26C had the clear bombardier nose while the A-26B had a solid nose packed with .50 cal machine guns.

Under the watchful eye of Taigh Ramey (and Sydney), Jan Johnson preps this Douglas A-26 Invader for an overnight stay in Salinas.

Fingers crossed, organizers announced that the USAF Thunderbirds will headline the 2026 show.

The Monterey County Sheriff repurposed an old biplane into a photo prop that was popular with the kids.

Now in its 44th year, the California International Airshow has raised more than $9 million for local charities.

For more information: SalinasAirshow.com

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