Fancy Fliers Take to the Skies

The 37th annual Miramar Air Show, one of the largest military aerobatic events in the United States, takes off this weekend as Tomcats, Falcons, Eagles and Hornets soar into the skies above the Naval Air Station at Miramar.

Gates open at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. General admission is free, but tickets for box and bleacher seating are being sold.

For military and their families, box seats are $12 per person, and grandstand seating is $6 per person. The public may purchase these tickets for $1.50 more per person at TicketMaster outlets.

The Blue Angels, the Navy’s flight demonstration team, takes top billing in the four-hour aerial performances, which begin at 10:30 a.m. each day. The Navy Leap Frogs Parachute team and the wing-walking team of Earl Cherry and the Roll Models also will perform.

On land, more than 6 acres of aircraft will be on display. Exhibits include the Air Force’s B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B bombers, the new F-14A (Plus) Super Tomcat, and World War II and vintage planes.

More than 750,000 people are expected to attend this year’s show. There is plenty of free parking on the air station, officials said.

Gates into the air station for the show are:

North Gate--On Miramar Road and recommended for traffic coming from I-5 or I-805. Motorists are advised to stay out of the right-hand lane when eastbound on Miramar Road until past the West Gate of the air station;

Main Gate--On Miramar Way and recommended for traffic coming from I-15 or Route 163;

South Gate--On Kearny Villa Road and open only to buses, box seat and bleacher seat ticket holders.

Miramar officials advise people to bring lawn chairs, blankets, cushions, sun screen and to wear comfortable shoes. Pets, skateboards, bicycles, glass containers and barbecue grills are prohibited in spectator areas.

What: Miramar Air Show

Where: Miramar Naval Air Station, located between Interstate 805 and Interstate 15, south of Mira Mesa and north of Route 52.

When: Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aerial shows begin at 10:30 a.m.

Cost: Free admission to main spectator area. Bleacher and box seating is available by calling TicketMaster, 278-TIXS or the Miramar ticket office at 537-4126. Free parking on the air station.

Calls: 537-4082