Countywide : El Toro Preview Thrills Young and Old Alike

Despite a cloudy sky, the 45th annual El Toro Air Show held its dress rehearsal Friday for an audience composed mainly of disabled people and the elderly.

“It’s noisy and its entertaining,” said Gary Brozowski, a ninth-grader from Loara Junior High School in Anaheim, who with the others in his group watched breathtaking acrobatics, formation flying and military maneuvers.

He was startled but then amused as a low-flying, ear-splitting jet soared over them. “When it first came over my head it freaked me out. I thought, “Is the world coming to an end or what?’ ” he told a classmate.

Most of the children were definite about what they most wanted to see: the Navy’s Blue Angels. The precision squadron’s sleek F/A-18 Hornets were lined up enticingly on the field until late afternoon, when they took to the sky and ended the show with applause-winning feats.

Overcast conditions had only a minimal effect on the show, Marine spokesmen said, lowering the altitude of the parachute jumps and grounding two planes during an enactment of aircraft assisting ground troops during combat.

Rhonda Buchanan, an instructional aid for disabled students at Dale Junior High School in Anaheim, said many of the youngsters had seen the show before, but that didn’t make it any less exciting. “They love it. It is the highlight of their school year to come here,” she said.

Buchanan said it is rare for those who depend on heavy electric wheelchairs to go places with their families because the chairs won’t fit into most cars or vans.

But the red carpet was out Friday for the 5,000 disabled children and elderly from nursing homes and such organizations as Kids Cancer Connection and Make A Wish Foundation, who were transported to the show in buses and directed to the best seats at the field.

There they were assisted by the Marines and volunteers from such youth organizations as ROTC and Young Marines, who offered them refreshments and helped them tour the ground display of military aircraft ranging from combat helicopters to transports and a stealth fighter.

Perhaps the oldest guest was Carolyn Grostehan, 101, whose family accompanied her on the excursion with other residents of a senior housing facility in Tustin.

Her niece, Linda Grunewald, observed that her aunt knows what it was like to live before airplanes and cars. “Her father was a doctor with a horse and buggy,” she said.

While the air show was not officially open to the public Friday, thousands showed up anyway and were allowed to watch. Officials said that 50,000 people usually come to the show on preview day, compared with about 500,000 on Saturday and 600,000 on Sunday.

“Today’s a slow day compared to tomorrow,” said Sgt. Oliver Windle, crew chief of a CH-53E, a plane used for transporting military personnel and lifting heavy equipment.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Approach Control For The El Toro Air Show *

Traffic Control The highway advisory radio station, AM 530, will broadcast traffic conditions. *

Friday Road Closures 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. * Barranca Parkway: Ada to Alton Parkway, both directions * Irvine Boulevard: Alton Parkway to Sand Canyon Avenue, both directions *

Sat. & Sun. Road Closures 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. * Barranca Parkway: Ada to Alton Parkway, both directions 2:30 to 6 p.m. * Sand Canyon Avenue: Burt Road northbound * Irvine Boulevard: Alton Parkway to Sand Canyon, both directions 3:15 to 6 p.m. * Trabuco Road: Yale Avenue to Sand Canyon eastbound * Jeffrey Road: Walnut Avenue to Trabuco northbound * Santa Ana Freeway: Sand Canyon north- and southbound off-ramps * Santa Ana Freeway: Jeffrey Road northbound off-ramp *

Another option: Take the bus Express shuttles will depart from two points, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and running every 15 minutes until noon. Fares are $2 each way for adults and children; $1.85 for seniors and the disabled. Return buses will leave immediately after the show ends. Information: (714) 636-RIDE. *

Essentials Be prepared for heat, dust and crowds; temperatures on the airfield often reach the 90s.Refreshments and souvenirs can be purchased from vendors. ATM machines will be available, as will restrooms. What else you’ll need: lawn chairs or blankets, lightweight protective clothing, sunscreen, hearing protection, hats or visors, umbrella, water, camera, film.*

Where to Sit General admission: Free. Grassy areas between airstrips. 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 purchasedat El Toro during the weekend. *

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 Wilat 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; 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 American 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.