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In 1992 when the Navy held its final airshow at California’s Moffett Naval Air Station it was billed as “The Last Airshow” heralding the end of an era. Old timers that remember those shows reflect fondly on the one of a kind NASA flight demonstrations, TR-1 take-offs, Harrier demonstrations, one engine P-3 Orion flybys, performances by the Blue Angels, as well as other top aerobatic acts of the day.

When the U.S. Navy pulled out of Moffett in 1994 local airshow fans thought that there would never be another airshow at Moffett. When an airshow was once again held in 1998 it was a much smaller affair. There were no major military demonstrations teams present, and NASA’s participation was static only, but there were aerobatics being flown.

This year’s airshow, held on May 29th and 30th, took a big leap in bringing Moffett back to its former airshow glory days. Those in attendance were treated to a wide variety of aerobatics and flight demonstrations. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, making their first appearance at Moffett since 1988, were this year’s main attraction.

The Thunderbirds performed their routine at the conclusion of the show with the power and precision you would expect from the Air Forces' elite flying team. The only noticeable glitch was during Saturday’s show when the Opposing Solo’s (Thunderbird #6) nose gear failed to come down during his “wing walk” pass. The team stopped the performance while the problem was sorted out and once Thunderbird #6 was safely back down the remaining five aircraft continued the flight demonstration.

The Airshownetworks.com sponsored jet demonstration team, The Patriots, made their first public appearance during Saturday’s show. Lead Pilot, John Posson, and his Right Wingman, Volodymr Chetverous, put the Czechoslovakian built L-39 jets through a thrilling performance that included head on passes, tailslides, and stalls.

Aerobatic performers Greg Poe and Sean deRosier tumbled and rolled their way through the sky. Greg flew his D.A.R.E Crucial Edge 540 while Sean flew his Cabo Wabo sponsored One Design. Sean’s One Design, a plane that he built himself, features wingtip jet engines that demonstrate the effect of wingtip vortices.

John Younkin thrilled the crowd with loops and rolls in his black and red Learjet 23. The Learjet is better known as an executive transport jet and not normally associated with airshow aerobatics. Bobby showed how aerobatics can be done in an executive transport with an act reminiscent of Bob Hoover in his Shrike Commander.

Chuck Hall, a five year veteran of the Heritage Flight program, flying his P-51 Mustang ‘Six Shooter’ teamed up with an Air Force F-15 Eagle piloted by Major Anderson for the Air Force Heritage Flight. Together the two top line fighters of their day flew 3 formation passes followed by a crossover break at show center.

Also performing at this years show was Gene Soucy’s “Showcat” and wingwalker Theresa Stokes. Gene Soucy’s plane was piloted during the performances by the very capable Eliot ‘Crossbow’ Cross. The first performance in the modified Grumman Ag Cat biplane was pure barnstorming aerobatics. The second performance put the plane through the same maneuvers with the addition of Theresa walking the wing.

On the ground attendees could walk through and sit in a number of static aircraft displays including NASA’s 747 Space Shuttle Transport, a Blackhawk helicopter, Coast Guard C-130 Hercules, and a Federal Express 727. Also on static display were a number of privately owned aircraft including a fully restored Vietnam era UH-1H Huey, Greg Forbes Saab Draken and F-100 Super Sabre, as well as Mike Couches’ P-51 Mustang and Super Pinto jet trainer.

The critics’ choice for this year’s show, and the favorite of my 11 year old son, was the two aerobatic comedy routines performed by pilot Kent Pietsch. Kent’s first performance was the classic student-instructor routine with Greg Poe playing the part of the instructor.

With airshow announcer Gordon Bowman Jones laying out the scenario Greg helps his student into the cockpit of the Interstate Cadet for his first lesson. Before the instructor can get into the cockpit after turning the prop the student, Kent Pietsch, proceeds to fly away leaving the instructor on the ground. For the next few minutes Kent flies seemingly out of control, shedding an aileron, tire, and toilet paper as he goes, before getting the plane safely back on the ground.

Kent’s second performance was a ‘dead stick landing’ that was intended to end precisely at the end of the Airshow Director’s outstretched arm. With his engine off, Kent glided his plane down performing rolls and loops as he descended. An unexpected stiff headwind kept the Cadet from making it all the way to its objective. When it was apparent that he would be 100 yards short of his target Kent got out and pushed his airplane the rest of the way to the delight of the crowd.

The Moffett Airshow has come a long way toward regaining its former glory. The performance by the Thunderbirds gave it a bump back into the top notch show level. Missing from this years show though was the U.S. Navy. The only Navy representation was a pair of Navy F-5 Aggressors that were on static display. Considering the 60 year Navy tradition at this former Naval Air Station an F-18 Hornet or P-3 Orion flyby after the National Anthem would have been a welcome and appropriate touch.