Yuma airshow vs El Centro 13/14 March 2020

[Dmitri]

Hi All!

This year Yuma airshow is scheduled for the same date as El Centro airshow - 14 March.
I've never been there, so cannot make choice where to go.
Maybe someone has experience - what is more interesting for military planes photographer?

Cheers,
Dm

[Reaper]

Hi Dmitri,

I visited both airshows last year and although both are nice I think Yuma is the most interesting. More variety in the flying program with F-5's, AV-8, F-35 A and B, V-22, AH-1 and UH-1 and some WW2 planes against the Blue Angles and some demo's from WW2 planes, T-33, F-86 etc. (check https://www.final-approach.nl/2019/mcas ... rshow-2019 and https://www.final-approach.nl/2019/naf- ... rshow-2019 ). Good luck with making the right choice and have fun!

Regards, Edwin
www.final-approach.nl

[wombats]

Hi Dmitri,

In general I would say Yuma. Lot of interesting based stuff, and photography for the flying aircraft is very good (at least at the first part of the show, nice taxiway close to the crowd lines).

Yuma and El Centro are only about an hour drive apart, so you might also combine the two...….


Pieter

[Dmitri]

Edwin, thanks a lot! Looking to your nice reports I would definitely go for Yuma
Thanks again for your advice and great photos on your website!
Dm.

[Dmitri]

Hi Dmitri,

In general I would say Yuma. Lot of interesting based stuff, and photography for the flying aircraft is very good (at least at the first part of the show, nice taxiway close to the crowd lines).

Yuma and El Centro are only about an hour drive apart, so you might also combine the two...….


Pieter

Pieter, clear, thanks!
Dm

[d14]

I've done both these shows a couple of times. My view would be:
They are only an hour's drive apart, so it doesn't have to be choose only one
El Centro doesn't really have anything based, and what is there seems to vary a lot each year. Some years it has a really strong static and decent flying displays, other years the current military aircraft are very limited and it's mostly warbirds.
Yuma doesn't have a huge static display, but unusually for a US show there is good representation of most of the based types in the flying - plus you are reasonably close to the flight line and there are decent views from outside the airfield too
David

[Dmitri]

David, thank you for opinion! I will check E.C. program closer to the show to see if it is worth go go as well.

[MISOS]

And don’t forget...if you travel from Yuma to El Centro you are crossing a time zone. So you will leave Yuma on the same time as you arrive at El Centro:-)

[Dmitri]

And don’t forget...if you travel from Yuma to El Centro you are crossing a time zone. So you will leave Yuma on the same time as you arrive at El Centro:-)

I didn't know that, but this is nice bonus

[Stefan]

And don’t forget...if you travel from Yuma to El Centro you are crossing a time zone. So you will leave Yuma on the same time as you arrive at El Centro:-)

California Daylight Saving Time starts on 8 March this year. Arizona (at least the part where Yuma is) does not have DST... so no time difference on 14 March 2020.

Agree with Yuma being 'better' than El Centro. Static at El Centro is mainly in/under sheds BTW.

Rgds,
Stefan

[Dmitri]

Stefan, thanks for the input!
Is it worth to visit El Centro at Sunday (for taking photos outside)?

[Le Addeur noir]

Yuma is open from 16:00 on the Friday 13th for a "twilight show". Sunset will be after 18:30 by this date.

So you have the option of visiting on the Friday.

[SBGrad]

Most of the Civ aircraft depart El Centro immediately after the show on Saturday, and some military as well. I've never stayed over for the Sunday after the airshow, but I can't imagine it would be too active.

[Dmitri]

Le Addeur noir, SBGrad - thanks a lot!!

[Lordofthedragons]

El Centro Airshow.

Schedule flying

 

10:30 am – U. S. Navy Leap Frogs / U. S. Army Black Daggers Launch

11:00 am –National Anthem / Leap Frogs/Black Daggers Jump Demonstration

11:05 am – CO’s Welcome

11:10 am – Planes of Fame – F-86 / MiG-15 Dogfight

11:40 am – Jet Vehicle Demonstration

11:45 am – Tom Larkin – Mini Jet Air Shows

12:15 pm – Pacific Aero Ventures – TA-4 Skyhawk

12:40 pm – John Collver – SNJ Demonstration

12:55 pm  -  John Collver / Jet Vehicle Race

1:00 pm – FOD Sweep

1:10 pm – U. S. Air Force Air Combat Command A-10 Demonstration

1:30 pm – A-10 / F-86 Heritage Flight

1:50 pm – Vicky Benzing - Stearman

2:05 pm – FOD Sweep

2:30 pm – U. S. Navy Flight Demonstration Team – The Blue Angels