Air Show Safety: 11 Tips to Stay Safe and Have Fun

Air Show Safety: 11 Tips to Stay Safe and Have Fun

Air shows are the perfect family outing, but there are some things to consider when attending the event. Here are 11 air show safety tips to ensure that you stay safe, and have fun!

For a fun family activity outing, you can’t beat an air show! The only thing we put ahead of everyone having fun is safety. Today we will go through 11 top tips on air show safety so that you and others around you will have the experience to remember for all the right reasons.

1. Wear Sunscreen!

Our first air show safety tip is: protect your skin! Clear blue skies and sunny days make an air show a great outdoor experience. However, we want the lasting memory of your day to be the aircraft, not the sunstroke.

You’ll be gazing aloft for hours, and it is vitally important to protect your skin. Make sure the entire family wears effective sunscreen and remember to ‘top up’ through the day. Here’s some great advice from the American Academy of Dermatology on how to use sunscreen effectively.

2. Stay Hydrated

It’s ok. We get it. With our packed air show schedule, you don’t want to miss a thing. Still, it is important that you stay hydrated to avoid the negative effects of standing in the summer heat. A headache while staring skywards is no fun at all.

You are encouraged to bring your own (non-alcoholic) drinks to our air show. You could even bring a cooler. That way, you can enjoy every single performance without having to leave your seat.

3. Aviators?

We’ve got plenty!

Have you?

No, we aren’t talking about our pilots. We are talking sunglasses. Whether you are going for the Meghan Markle look with a pair of oversized shades, or you want to go all ‘Tom-Cruise-Topgun’, we encourage you to protect your eyes.

Staring into the sky, especially on bright days (fingers crossed), can give you eye strain, and we want you to enjoy every moment… Squint free.

4. Bring Your Earplugs!

Some of our airplanes are loud… And by ‘loud’, we mean ridiculously loud.

This is a great tip for those who are attending with young children. Chances are, aircraft like the MiG-17 will be the loudest thing they have ever heard. It’s awesome, but you’ll want to protect little ears.

5. No Smoking

You’ll be amazed at how close you can get to the airplanes. There’s the opportunity to view most of our performers before and after their displays. These are real fully operational aircraft…

There are a few things in life that really don’t mix.

One such thing is aviation fuel and cigarettes. You’ll be up close and personal with the airplanes. We aim to ensure air show safety for all guests, and for that reason, we don’t allow smoking (or vaping) at our events.

6. Wear Sensible Footwear

There’s so much to see that you might find that you are doing quite a lot of walking. It really pays to wear sensible footwear.

The aircraft park in a ‘working’ area of the airstrip. As a result, there may occasionally be small screws or metal pieces on the ground. You must protect your feet at all times.

7. Leave Your Four-Legged Friends at Home

While we actively encourage you to bring all members of your family, there is an exception.

Our air shows are loud, fast, and exciting. We even use pyrotechnics. While adults and kids alike will enjoy our displays, animals tend to be overwhelmed and can find the event distressing. For that reason, to ensure air show safety, we request that you leave animals (including emotional support animals) at home.

If you are physically challenged, we permit registered and trained service dogs; however, we politely request that you control and monitor your service animals’ behavior.

8. Bring a Chair or Blanket

There’s plenty of space for you to spread out at our air show, so arrive early and get yourself a prime spot on the flight line!

Want to know an easier way to enjoy our air show in comfort?

Bring a nice chair! It’s hard work standing all day, and the last thing we want is for you to fall over as our aircraft whirl and spin overhead. If you are seated, you can tip your head back and enjoy!

If a chair sounds like too much effort, why not bring a picnic blanket. You’ll be able to see everything going on above your head from a sedentary position. Nice!

9. Umbrellas?

Thankfully in the summer, rainy days are few and far between. While we encourage you to protect yourself from the sun, we kindly ask you not to bring tents or umbrellas to our event.

Why?

Well, let’s put it this way… Can you imagine how much power it takes to move a B-25 Bomber? These things are huge, and their powerful engines develop a phenomenal amount of thrust. This is great as it allows the airplane to take off and fly…

It also encourages umbrellas and tents to get airborne quickly, so your best bet is to leave them at home to ensure air show safety to all attendees.

10. Take Your Camera

Half the fun of the day is seeing rare aircraft in flight. The other half is sharing your experience with others. While we guarantee that you’ll have some fantastic memories of the day, why not bring your camera along and take a few snaps to show off to your friends?

Some of our aircraft are part of a handful still flying worldwide. You’ll literally be taking photos of a piece of history!

11. Take a Break

With the noise, heat, and excitement, it can be a pretty full-on day. You’ll be pleased to know that we offer refreshments and the ability to have some ‘down time’ should you need it. With a range of food, beverages, and other things to see, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Final Thought

The Wings Over Camarillo Airshow offers so much! It is an exciting and unique experience. There are not many air shows where you can see an aircraft looping overhead, and minutes later be stood next to it on the ground! We’ve got everything in place for you to enjoy your day, and provided you follow our 11 tips on air show safety, we guarantee you are going to have an amazing time. We look forward to seeing you.