Long Island Aviation

Admission Price: FREE
Parking Cost: $8.00

Get there early. In the past, this show has easily seen 200,000 people fill up the beach on a single day. It is not unusual for the parking lots to be filled by 11:00am (if not earlier). When this happens, the parkways are closed and people are turned away. So, it is probably a good idea to arrive before 10:00am, or as early as reasonably possible.

SUNSCREEN. Bring it. You will be in the sun for over five hours. Trust me, you will need plenty of it.

BAGS, BACKPACKS, AND COOLERS ARE OK (this is a beach you know), but keep in mind THEY WILL BE SEARCHED so don't bring too much stuff along with you. It will also get crowded near show-center, and extra baggage could make movement difficult. There is a nice fast-food style restaurant on the East end of the beach, and refreshment vendors will be located along the boardwalk. If you want to keep costs low, you may want to bring along your own drinks and snacks. There will be no bleachers or seating of any sort (with the exception of the VIP Chalets that require a separate entry fee purchased before the show), so bring a blanket to sit on, or a foldable chair. If you plan on sitting close to the water, you might want to bring a jacket or long-sleeved shirt. Even though the air temperature may be warm, the waters will still be cold and can cause the area right by the shoreline to be surprisingly chilly.

EARPLUGS are suggested for the younger viewers (under 3 years), but aren't a bad idea for some of the grown-up viewers as well. The jets can get loud, and you might get stuck next to some annoying guy who won't shut up about his cats.

Photography is always fun at an air show, but there are several things to keep in mind, and you should know the limits of your camera. Even though the planes will be close, they will still be far enough away that you will need a decent amount of zoom. The beach faces South, directly into the sun, so most everything will be backlit all day. Also, the air tends to get quite hazy, making it difficult to get a crisp shot. Don't let these handicaps prevent you from bringing your camera, however. You never know what kind of moments you will be able to capture. 

KITES ARE PROHIBITED. They can easily distract the performers, and that could result in some rather nasty stuff. Please leave these flying machines at home.

NO PETS. Of course, this excludes animals that aid the handicapped. Unless that animal happens to be a ferret, and if you are using a ferret to lead you around everywhere, you will probably have trouble getting to the show in the first place.

 

Official Website: www.jonesbeachairshow.com

Listen to the online radio scanner feed here: www.w2lie.net

Jones Beach State Park is located on the south shore of Long Island, and is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast. It has picturesque scenery, an elegant layout, a two-mile boardwalk, along with spectacular architecture in the form of iconic water towers that have become a symbol of this great island.

Air shows have been held here in the past, but this annual air show began in 2004. The 2009 show will be on Memorial Day Weekend, May 23rd and 24th, from 10am to 3pm. Last year, the show had record attendance with over 400,000 people on Saturday and Sunday combined. So if you want to go, make sure you get there early! The cost of attendance is free, but parking costs $8.00.

As this is a beach show, there will be a very limited number of static aircraft displays, which will most likely consist of a few helicopters, plus some four wheeled vehicles. To get up close to the performers you will see in the sky, head over to Republic Airport. Vendors and personnel from various military branches will be present as well, setting up shop along the boardwalk, along with local businesses and various other groups.

PDF MAP OF THE BEACH

Here's a pic of the beach during the 2005 air show, courtesy of a good friend in the 106th ANG unit.  

There are two ways that one can watch the show: from the beach or from a boat. Some have asked me if the show can be seen from other surrounding beaches, and the answer is probably yes. However, you will be nowhere near airhsow center (where all the action takes place and the acts are centered around) and you will not hear Mr. Reider's commentary. So for the best viewing experience, stay with Jones Beach itself.

For those with boats, the show can be viewed from Zach's Bay or from the ocean. However, there are restrictions as to where in the ocean the show can be watched. I was able to find these parameters for the 2005 show, and I can only assume that they will be the same for this year. And if they aren't exactly the same, the worst that can happen is the Coast Guard will yell at you and tell you to move. No biggie.

"Sec.  165.T01-033  Safety Zone; Jones Beach Air show, Jones Beach,
Wantagh, NY.

    (a) Location. Beginning at a point on land located in Jones Beach
State Park at approximate position 40[deg]35'06'' N, 073[deg]32'37'' W,
then running east along the shoreline of Jones Beach State Park to
approximate position 40[deg]35'49'' N, 073[deg]28'47'' W; then running
south to an position in the Atlantic Ocean off of Jones Beach at
approximate position 40[deg]34'23'' N, 073[deg]32'23'' W; then running
west to approximate position 40[deg]35'05'' N, 073[deg]28'34'' W; then
running north to the point of beginning at approximate position
40[deg]35'06'' N, 073[deg]32'37'' W. All coordinates are North American
Datum 1983."

With all of these great planes flying about, they've got to take off and land from somewhere. That somewhere is Republic Airport in Farmingdale. You can get up close and personal with some of the planes and performers at the Americn Airpower Museum after the show. Also, many people elect to spend an entire day at the airport watching the acts depart and arrive. You can check out suggestions for viewing locations on the "Republic Airport" page.

Most of the performers will be based here with the exception of the F-22 and the 106th ANG, who will stage from Gabreski Airport in Westhampton. Aircraft locations could change as close as the day before the show, and I'll do my best to keep track of everything.

Directions to the American Airpower Museum:

Long Island Expressway
Visitors may arrive at the museum from the Long Island Expressway by exiting south on Exit 49, Route 110. Following the LIRR trestle, make a left on Conklin Avenue, proceed to New Highway and turn right. Pass two hangars and make a right hand turn into museum parking. The museum entrance is the red door at the hangar marked "American Airpower Museum."

Southern State Parkway
From the Southern State, travel north from the Route 110 exit, make a right at Conklin Avenue following the Home Depot retail complex and make another right at New Highway.