EL TORO AIR SHOW INFORMATION

More than 1 million people are expected at the El Toro Air Show this weekend, most arriving by car, creating traffic jams to rival the spectacle in the sky. Even those simply drivingby the El Toro base will be affected by road closures and traffic slowing to watch the aerial displays. Taking the bus or riding a bike offers a less nerve-racking way to get to the show. SATURDAY 8 a.m. AERIAL MANEUVERS--John Collver demonstrates maneuvers in World War II trainer. 8:20 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--World-renowned air show entertainer Jim Franklin performs in his powerful 1940 Waco biplane. 8:40 a.m. TEAM STUNTS--The top-ranked Holiday Inn Aerobatic Team performs in biplanes. 9 a.m. HARRIER JET--Marine Harrier demonstrates its unique vertical takeoff, landing and hovering capabilities. 9:20 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Mike Wigen narrates live from inside cockpit of his Cyclone stunt plane while performing. 9:40 a.m. AERIAL COMBAT--Air Force F-16 Falcon performs fighter-jet combat maneuvers. 10 a.m. WARBIRDS FLY-BY--Known as “Warbirds,” veteran craft of past wars fly by. 10:10 a.m. CRASH RESCUE--El Toro’s crash rescue squad demonstrates its skills. 10:20 a.m. POWERLESS MANEUVERS--Performer Bob Hoover defines the air term “energy management” by maneuvering with and without engines. 10:40 a.m. COMPETITION MANEUVERS--Former world-champion stunt pilot Leo Loudenslagerperforms competition maneuvers. 11 a.m. CAPTAIN ZAR--Captain Zar, a mystery pilot billed as “exiled knight of Planet Zufrinia,” makes graceful aerial appearance. 11:20 a.m. BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES--The Clydesdales march before the crowd. 11:30 a.m. ASSAULT FORCE TAKEOFF--A Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) moves out en masse for later assault. Noon. MARINE BAND--The 3rd Marine Air Wing band performs the Marine Corps hymn and other numbers. 12:20 p.m. MOCK ASSAULT--The air-ground task force returns to perform an assault. 1 p.m. AERIAL STUNTS--JoAnn Osterud, world-record holder for the outside loop and inverted flight, performs. 1:20 p.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Crop duster Sean Tucker performs original and breathtaking maneuvers, including a triple ribbon cut. 1:40 p.m. MICRO-JET--Performing is the world’s smallest jet, the Bud Light BD-5, with a former Blue Angel at the controls. 2 p.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Top-ranked U.S. female aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff puts her stunt plane through tail slides and snap rolls. 2:20 p.m. TEAM STUNTS--The Holiday Inn Aerobatic Team returns to perform. 2:40 p.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Julie Clark performs a graceful aerobatic routine set to music, tracing colorful smoke patterns in the air. 3:15 p.m. BLUE ANGELS--Finale features the Navy’s precision flying team.

SUNDAY 8 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--World-renowned air show entertainer Jim Franklin performs in his powerful 1940 Waco biplane. 8:20 a.m. AERIAL MANEUVERS--John Collver demonstrates maneuvers in World War II trainer. 8:40 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--JoAnn Osterud, world-record holder for the outside loop and inverted flight, performs. 9 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Mike Wigen narrates live from inside cockpit of his Cyclone stunt plane while performing. 9:20 a.m. MICRO-JET--Performing is the world’s smallest jet, the Bud Light BD-5, with a former Blue Angel at the controls. 9:40 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Crop duster Sean Tucker performs original and breathtaking maneuvers, including a triple ribbon cut. 10 a.m. WARBIRDS FLY-BY--Known as “Warbirds,” veteran craft of past wars fly by. 10:10 a.m. CRASH RESCUE--El Toro’s crash rescue squad demonstrates its skills. 10:20 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Julie Clark performs a graceful aerobatic routine set to music, tracing colorful smoke patterns in the air. 10:40 a.m. WING WALKING--Jim Franklin returns, this time flying a wing-walker atop his plane. 11 a.m. AERIAL STUNTS--Top-ranked U.S. female aerobatic pilot Patty Wagstaff puts her stunt plane through tail slides and snap rolls. 11:20 a.m. BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES--Marching before the crowd are the Clydesdales. 11:30 a.m. ASSAULT FORCE TAKEOFF--A Marine Corps Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) moves out en masse for later assault. Noon. WELCOME AND COLORS--Brig. Gen. Wayne T. Adams welcomes the crowd, the 3rd Marine Air Band performs, and the colors are presented. 12:20 p.m. MOCK ASSAULT--The air-ground task force returns to perform an assault. 1 p.m. CAPTAIN ZAR--Captain Zar, a mystery pilot billed as “exiled knight of Planet Zufrinia,” makes graceful aerial appearance. 1:20 p.m. TEAM STUNTS--The top-ranked Holiday Inn Aerobatic Team performs in biplanes. 1:40 p.m. AERIAL COMBAT--Air Force F-16 Falcon performs fighter-jet combat maneuvers. 2 p.m. POWERLESS MANEUVERS--Performer Bob Hoover defines the air term energy management by maneuvering with and without engines. 2:20 p.m. HARRIER JET--Marine Harrier demonstrates its unique vertical takeoff, landing and hovering capabilities. 2:40 p.m. COMPETITION MANEUVERS--Former world-champion stunt pilot Leo Loudenslager performs competition maneuvers. 3:15 p.m. BLUE ANGELS--Finale features the Navy’s precision flying team. Source: MCAS El Toro

Note: Schedules subject to change.

Researched by Danny Sullivan / Los Angeles Times

TIPS AND INFORMATION:

DAYS: Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission Free. GATES OPEN: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gates may close eariler to cars if parking lots fill. No exit between 3 and 4 p.m. due to Blue Angels flight. Handicapped with plates or stickers may use any gate. PARKING: Free. You will be directed to appropriate lots. Lots fill fast.

SEATING: No bleachers, seating only on the scrub and concrete in show area. Bring lawn chairs and thick blankets.

WEATHER PROTECTION: Hats and sunscreen are recommended to protect against sunburn. Blankets and jackets offer comfort against wind.

BICYCLES: Allowed, but must be locked to fences in areas just inside gates.

AVAILABLE: Food, soft drinks , beer, water souvenirs, film, restrooms, phones, lost and found. BANNED ITEMS: Skateboards, roller-skates, roller-blades, coolers, pets. INFORMATION: Contact (714) 726-2100

Outbound Traffic

Flow will be strictly directed, so choose your lane carefully. Avoid Culver for access to interstate 5--construction makes entry difficult. Gate 3 exits to I-5 via Alton.

TAKING THE BUS

OCTD will run express shuttles centers in Santa Ana, Irvine and Laguna Hills. Service begins at 8:30 a.m., buses leaving as filled, last bus departing at 11:30 a.m. Fare is $1.80 each way. For more information, call (714)636-RIDE. Researched by DANNY SULLIVAN / Los Angeles Times

Road Closures Sand Canyon Avenue northbound, from Burt Road to Irvine Boulevard, 2 to 6 p.m, from Alton Parkway to Jeffrey Road, 2 to 7 p.m. Trabuco Road eastbound, from Yale Avenue to Sand Canyon Avenue, 3:15 to 6 p.m. Jeffrey Road northbound, from Walnut Avenue to Rabuco Road, 3:15 to 6 p.m. Santa Ana Freeway off-ramps at Sand Canyon Avenue, 3:15 to 6 p.m. In addition, Santa Ana Freeway off-ramps at Jeffrey Road may close from 3:15 to 6 p.m.