Damp but High Spirits : Air Show Crowd Looks Skyward for Rain, Planes

Nose up, the Sukhoi SU26 aimed for the half-cloudy skies. The aerobatic aircraft straightened itself, then dived. Its last feat was a tight, skyward curl three times.

The thousands of spectators who lined the taxiway at Fullerton Municipal Airport for a look Saturday let out a soft sigh at the sight.

Despite intermittent rain, many people relaxed in beach chairs to watch the airport’s free, four-hour air show, while others strolled around 47 single-engine aircraft on display from around the world.

The sleek Sukhoi was one of 13 planes to perform.

Midway through the show, four parachutists jumped out of a six-seat, single-engine Piper Cherokee 6 plane and landed directly in front of the audience, estimated at more than 16,000 people.

Londa Fanaselle, 34, of Fullerton said she fears flying but came to the show anyway with her two sisters, three sons and her Scottish terrier.

“This way I can enjoy the flying without having to worry about it,” she said, sitting on grass near the taxiway.

The idea for the annual air show, which began in 1987, was “our way of having an open house, like having company over,” airport director Roland Elder said.

Mayor Don Bankhead flew for the crowd in a business jet. Commander Chuck Street, air traffic reporter for KIIS-FM radio, landed his helicopter to sign autographs and hand out water bottles.

But the biggest personalities on hand were pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, who set a world record in 1986 for a nonstop, non-refueled flight around the world that took nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds.

Organizers said the weather kept a crowd favorite, the Goodyear Blimp, from arriving, as well as about 15 airplanes expected to be on display.

At 1:30 p.m., showers sent thousands of spectators scurrying for cover. But when the skies cleared, many lined up to buy tickets for a ride in a helicopter and to inspect World War II fighter planes on display.

Richard Hartman, who lives across the street from the airport, carried his 3-year-old son on his shoulders.

“He sees the planes all the time,” said Hartman, 43. “We’re going to see the Coast Guard helicopter. He wants to get inside.”