Cocoa Beach Air Show Returns to Florida’s Space Coast

Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com

Kicking off with the a demonstration of the capabilities of the V-22 Osprey, the 2012 Cocoa Beach Air Show shook off the dreary weather surrounding Florida’s Space Coast and began at 12 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Sept. 22. The show displayed a wide range of fixed and rotary-winged aircraft and, by all accounts, was a big hit with the those who attended.

A P-51 Mustang and F-22 Raptor that participated in the Cocoa Beach Air Show’s “heritage flight” break from one another after the completion of the air show’s first day of activities. Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studios

AmericaSpace had two photographers onboard the 920th Rescue Wing’s C-130 that, along with two Pavehawk helicopters, demonstrated a simulated refuleing mission. The C-130 deployed some of the Pararescuemen, who were then “rescued” by the two orbiting Pave Hawks.

Julian Leek with Blue Sawtooth Studios shot this image from the back of the C-130. The 920th Rescue Wing hosts a few media flights each year and Leek was on the Saturday flight. Photo Credit: Julian Leek / Blue Sawtooth Studios

This was just the beginning of the air show however. A variety of stunt planes abilities were placed on full, dramatic display. Some of the day’s stunt aerobatic performers included: the Black Diamond T-33 Solo Demo, John Black in the Super Decathlon and the Red Bull Helicopter.

The show will conclude tomorrow, with the same sequence of events for Saturday repeated.

Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com
Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com
An F-18 Hornet turns and burns just off of Florida’s Space Coast during the 2012 Cocoa beach Air Show. Photo Credit: Alan Walters / awaltersphoto.com

2 Comments

  1. Very entertaining & informative article, punctuated by some lively photographic examples of what so many folks turned out to see. They were NOT disappointed!! America Space…ALWAYS INTERESTING & INFORMATIVE!

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