Catalina Air Show

Watching an air show performed over water beside a picturesque landscape can be a marvelous experience, although it doesn’t happen too often due to the difficulties in getting a paying audience. Such is the case with the Catalina Air Show, which takes place on the beautiful Catalina Island in California. Seeing warbirds and aerobatics performances over the stunningly beautiful harbor, filled with sailing boats and motor yachts is thrilling indeed, so we at WarbirdsNews felt it was worthy of mention. There is a fabulous video promo from last year’s air show HERE, which should give you all an idea of what a spectacular event it can be.

PRESS RELEASE:

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA – Scheyden Precision Eyewear – a leader in performance eyewear and organizer of the Catalina Air Show – is working on the restructuring of the Scheyden Catalina Air Show to become a biennial event and keep what has become Catalina’s most thrilling event alive and well. View the exhilaration of the 2014 Catalina Airshow show here.

“Catalina Island is truly a special place where there is far more than meets the eye. Preserving its infrastructure and natural resources are critical to its survival. If we can have a truly world class aviation event that raises funds for certain needs on the island it is a win-win for all.” Says Jeff Herold, President of West Coast Trends, Inc. and the Scheyden brand.

Planning such a momentous event requires months of preparation, energy, and capital especially considering it takes place nearly 30 miles off the coast of Southern California. Other requirements for the show include notifying Air Traffic Control, the FAA, and establishing TFR’s that can affect the inbound and outbound flights of the busy LA and Orange County air space. There was also extensive coordination with the Avalon harbor master, Catalina Express, various Cruise lines, and the LA County Lifeguards, to provide safe passage for vessels in and around the high performance low flying aircraft. On top of all of this, one must consider that a show over shark inhabited waters several hundred feet deep brings an entirely new aspect to ensuring safety for the pilots themselves. Helicopters and dive teams were on a constant vigilant should there have been a mishap.

Herold adds, “Producing a world class air show in a public domain does not allow a gate for tickets to be sold. To continue an event of this magnitude, we need to find some heavyweights in the business world that are interested in branding themselves through an experience that is like no other in North America. This is an air show that does not take place at some airport in the middle of a desert or farmland, but at a true resort destination. The ground entertainment at this air show is downtown Avalon on Catalina Island. Where else can you sit on the back of your yacht or out on a restaurant patio bar and watch the best pilots in the world exercise their skills right down to the waters surface?”

Last fall’s show also included Robby Krieger of the Doors and Dave Brock of Wild Child providing the closest thing to a Doors concert one could imagine. This along with world class breweries, amazing California wineries, and two additional musical acts rounded out a weekend that could truly be considered unforgettable.

Looking to become even better; adding sponsorships, donors, and more entertainment to an air show of this caliber can increase island awareness and create even more excitement around an aviation experience like no other. The Catalina Air Show looks to have its finest event yet in early October of 2016 over the breath-taking Avalon Harbor.

“If we can find the right funding, we can truly make this one of the great events in the west. It’s really difficult to compare this event with any other air show in the nation, because when the air show is over the fun is just getting started!” says Herold.

The Catalina Island Aviation Foundation is a proud supporter of the preservation of manned and natural flight on one of the Nations most beautiful islands. The foundation aims to help to maintain Catalina’s own Airport-in-the-Sky, and nesting grounds for the American Bald Eagles that call Catalina home through the Catalina Island Conservancy.

For more information regarding Catalina Air Show visit http://www.catalinaairshow.com.