THE EL TORO AIR SHOW : Flight Plans

The 45th annual El Toro Air Show, Saturday and Sunday at the Marine Corps Air Station, will include more than 160 types of aircraft and will feature a 75-minute aerial performance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. General admission and parking are free.

Getting There

* Santa Ana (5) Freeway. Northbound traffic exits Alton Parkway, southbound traffic exits at Jamboree Road, Culver Drive or Jeffrey Road. Sand Canyon Avenue exits will be closed from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday.

* San Diego (405) Freeway. Traffic exits Sand Canyon Avenue.

Essentials

Be prepared for heat; temperatures on the airfield often reach the 90s. Also be ready for dust and crowds. Refreshments and souvenirs can be purchased from vendors. ATM machines will be available, and more than 120 restrooms will be located throughout seating areas and at entrances. What else you’ll need: lawn chairs or blankets, lightweight protective clothing, sunscreen, hearing protection, hats or visors, umbrella, water, camera, film.

Shuttle Service

Orange County Transit Authority will provide shuttle service Saturday and Sunday. Buses to the base will run between 8:30 a.m. and noon. Return trips will begin at 4 p.m. Fare for each ride is $2; children under 6 ride free. Phone (714) 636-7433.

The two shuttle points are:

* Santa Ana Transit Terminal: 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana.

* Laguna Hills Transportation Center: corner of Paseo de Valencia and Calle de los Caballeros.

Where to Sit

General admission: Free. Grassy areas between air strips. Lawn chairs, strollers and coolers are allowed, but no glass containers.

Preferred seating: $8 to $35. Lawn chairs, strollers and coolers are prohibited. To purchase tickets in advance, contact Ticketmaster, (714) 740-2000. Tickets may also be purchased at El Toro during the weekend.

- Seating: Flight line chalet

Cost: $35

What you get: seating under tented area; lunch provided; restroom facilities

* Seating: Reserved box

Cost: $12

What you get: ground-level seating along flight line

* Seating: Grandstand

Cost: $8

What you get: show center seating

Schedule

7 a.m.: Gates open.

9 a.m. to noon: USMC AV-8B Harrier low show; Warbirds; Otto the Clown Helicopter; Rick Fessenden Berkut; Joann Osterud Ultimate 10-300S; John Collver SNJ; John Piggott Sukhoi 29; Dan Buchanan Hang Glider “Flying Colors”; Sean D. Tucker Power Aerobatic Team; Bret Willat Glider “Sailplane Magic”; Patty Wagstaff Extra 300S; Jim Franklin Waco Mystery Ship & Lee Oman Wingwalker; Federal Express Flyby; Marine Air Ground Task Force Demo Take-Offs.

Noon to 3 p.m.: Opening ceremonies; U.S. Navy Parachute Team “Leap Frogs”; Marine Air Ground Task Force Demonstration; Steve Stavrakakis Slin Z-50 “Wild Thing”; Bill Reesman MIG-17F “MIG Magic”; Team America SIAI Marchetti F-260; Wayne Handley Raven; Sean D. Tucker and Patty Wagstaff Duo; USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon; Sierra Aces Aerobatic Team; USMC AV-8B Harrier.

3 to 4:30 p.m.: Blue Angels.

Static Displays

USAF F-117 Stealth; USAF U-2R; US Navy Balloon Team; all Warbirds; all 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing aviation inventory and various other civilian and military aircraft.

Civilian Planes

Grumman S-2

1946 Cessna 140

Pitts S-2A

TBM-SE

B-26

Casa Seata

Travel Air 4000

Waco

Stinson

HU-16C Albatross

1940 Globe Swift

Lancair

1929 Jenny

Glasair

Stearman

Turbo Saratoga

Tigermoth

OY-1

1938 Fleetwing

Navion Rangemaster

PT-17 Stearman

Soko Galeb

Bearcat

Hawker Seafury

Rockwell 144

Skybolt

Long Ease

1944 Beechcraft Nemesis

Avenger

Pitts

Bellanca

Mustang (Man-O-War)

Military Planes

F-117 Stealth

B-52 Stratofortress

C-2

C-5 Galaxy

C-12

C-26

EA-6B Prowler

F-16 Falcon

UH-1H Huey

T-1

T-34C Mentor

T-37 Tweety Bird

T-39 Sabreline

CH-53E Super Stallion

F-14D Tomcat

KC-10

TA-4

T-45

AH-1W Super Cobra

CT-114

Source: El Toro Marine Corps Air Station; Researched by Benjamin Epstein