The Blue Angels and other U.S. military aircraft and personnel will not be allowed to participate in the 44th annual California International Airshow in Salinas this weekend due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The show will go on with an impressive lineup of some of the best civilian air show performers and ground events, according to event organizers. There will also be a STEM Zone, Kids Zone, exhibits and vendors from all over Northern California.

For the first time at any airshow the general public will get to see a demonstration of air taxis being developed by leading eVTOL companies, Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation.

Executive Director of the California International Airshow, Harry Wardwell said the air taxis have been in test flight and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given them approval to fly a demonstration at this year’s airshow.

“For the first time this weekend fans are going to be able to see the electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft that are being developed by Joby Aviation in Marina and Archer Aviation,” Wardwell said. “Those two companies are building the new electronic taxis that you’ll be able to take from the airport of a major city to downtown and back—they’re on the cutting edge.”

Archer Aviation announced that it plans to conduct public flights of its all-electric Midnight aircraft on both days of the airshow. The Salinas Municipal Airport is home to Archer’s test flight facility, where the company has been flying its eVTOL aircraft since 2021.

Archer plans to have nearly 1,000 team members in attendance from its engineering, operations and flight test teams to celebrate the hometown demo flights and to engage with fans, followers and newcomers alike.

Aerobatic Demonstrations Will Continue

Pilot Ed Hamill will take to the skies on the “Folds of Honor” Biplane and Bob Freeman in his high energy Extra 330SX.

There will also be WWII warbirds and great ground acts like the Smoke n Thunder Jet Truck along with exotic cars racing airplanes.

Local aerobatic pilot Vicky Benzing will return to the Cental Coast with performances on both days of the airshow.

Benzing will fly both her vintage 1940s Boeing Stearman, an authentic World War II aircraft and P-51 Mustang “Plum Crazy,” the 1970 National Air Race Champion.

Showcasing her aerobatic skills while inspiring the next generation of aviators, Benzing will also host an Aspiring Pilot Seminar in Salinas on Friday in partnership with the California Aeronautical University (CAU).

Local students and families can learn about pathways into aviation careers, the steps to becoming a commercial pilot, and how CAU’s degree programs help students transition from the classroom to the cockpit.

Hosted at the Salinas Airport, the seminar is free to attend and open to anyone interested in pursuing an aviation career.

Wardwell said every year people come up to him with stories on how the airshow inspired them to pursue a career in aviation.

“Every year we get a young person who will call and ask if they could bring their airplane and put it on static at the air show,” Wardwell said. “They’ll say I saw my first air show when I was a kid when my dad brought me out to the Salinas Airshow and I got to see it up close, and that’s what I wanted to do.”

Salinas Vietnam War Hero Honored

On Saturday, local hometown hero, Everett Alvarez Jr. will be honored. Alvarez was born in Salinas and his grandparents were farmworkers. Alvarez graduated from local schools, including Salinas High School and then onto Santa Clara University before he went on to become a Naval Aviator.

Alvarez was the first American aviator taken captive in the Vietnam War after being shot down near Hanoi.

Alvarez spent over eight years as a Prisoner of War (POW). He was the longest held naval aviator in the history of the United States, said Wardwell. Once released, Alvarez went on to have a stellar career. Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas is named after him.

Airshow a Massive Volunteer Effort

Wardwell said over 700 volunteers come together to put on the airshow each year.

“I want to thank the community for the support,” Wardwell said. “We have over 700 volunteers that are out here working getting ready for this weekend, and we now have second and third generation volunteers.”

The Salinas Airshow is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has donated nearly $9 million to local charities since our inception in 1981.

Gates open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Flying will start approximately 11:45 a.m. Tickets are available at www.salinasairshow.com or at the gate this weekend.

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This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: California International Airshow in Salinas takes flight this weekend
Reporting by Roseann Cattani, Salinas Californian / Salinas Californian
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