What Is the Flight Line at Air Shows?
The flight line is often synonymous with the path the aircraft will take during their different flights and can also be used to describe the portion of the airfield where most aircraft are parked and maintained.
While interchangeable, context matters. Most of the time, the flight line refers to the actual path of flight the aircraft will take during the show. The closer you are to the flight path, the better your seats!
Explaining the Flight Line
Aircraft in an airshow don’t always do a straight pass – they’ll often demo a number of fancy aerial tricks, including mirror passes, inverted passes, canopy-up passes, aileron rolls, and Cuban 8s. But when you hear people talking about the flight line, they generally mean either the portion of the airfield itself where aircraft are maintained, or the flight path of the aircraft featured in the air show.
The flight line isn’t to be confused with the runway. While it can be used to describe a line the pilot is flying along, it doesn’t refer to the landing strip or runway most aircraft use to get airborne.
Sometimes, the term “flight line” is also used to describe the best seats or viewing experience an air show has to offer, because it’s so close to the eponymous flight line. You’ll hear terms like “flight line club” and “flight line seats” used when air shows try to describe the seats and tables closest to the action.
How close? In some cases, you can get right underneath the aircraft as it flies along its flight line! While it depends on the air show, lots of air shows offer their premium VIP seating – often shaded with canopies and special chalets – right under the aircraft’s path of flight, so you can get the closest look possible while you experience VIP treatment. You may even meet the performers themselves after the show ends. Check out what a VIP ticket gets you at your local air show!
Show Lines, Crowd Lines, and Display Lines at Modern Air Shows
While you’re watching pilots do the things they do best – showboat in the skies, with extreme technical proficiency – you may be enjoying the view and great weather from a comfortable seat from within the show lines.
Some air shows define a limit between the flight line of the plane, the display line (the closest that aircraft are allowed to get to the crowds), and the crowd or show line, at which point the best seating begins. In cases where air shows limit how close aircraft can get to the crowd, it’s often because they might be doing a lot of low flying.
Ask ahead of time to get an idea of how the air show you’re planning to visit is going to be laid out. If you want the best seats, ask what that entails.
Know what you’re getting yourself into with a general admission ticket, too! Premium seats are premium for a reason, and you might have a hard time getting a great spot to hang out on the flight line without prior reservations.
And most importantly, make sure you know what you’re in for! There are basic safety considerations when going to an air show, both for the organizers and the visitors. Not only do you need to stay safe, but the performers need to be safe, too.
Safety in Air Shows
If you’re looking to check out an air show near you for the first time, check out their safety protocols and public information! Lots of air shows give out as much information as possible about the venue, as well as a few basic rules and regulations.
The most common rule by far is no smoking – when dealing with lots of aircraft, you’re also dealing with lots and lots of fuel, including fuel on the ground, and in the air. The absolute last thing anyone wants is a fuel detonation! This is especially important if you’re staying really close to the flight line, or if you’re hanging around aircraft before and after the show!
A few other common restrictions include:
- No highly flammable objects in general
- No weapons
- No motorized and non-motorized vehicles (including skateboards, scooters, and bicycles) aside from venue-provided transportation
- Definitely no umbrellas. Aside from a fuel detonation, the other thing you really don’t want is seeing an umbrella fly apart and obstruct an aircraft during take-off or during a pass!
Wings Over Camarillo air shows also don’t allow pets, unless they’re service dogs or psychiatric dogs, as per Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Even so, if a service dog disrupts or poses a threat to the safety of others, they will have to be removed from the show. We don’t hate pets! We just don’t want them to get hurt. Aircraft are incredibly loud and there are countless other dangers for animals on the airfield, including hot tarmac (which isn’t great for small paws), small metal parts, and fuel.
Do bring some sunscreen and foldable chairs, though. And a camera! Most air shows encourage guests to avoid bringing cans or glass containers, and offer both food and refreshments within the air show itself.
Air Shows During COVID
Most air shows follow the COVID guidelines set forth by their respective counties. That means going to an air show in Camarillo means adhering to the rules of the Ventura County Health Department. Air shows are generally an outdoor event – and most of the attention is going to be on the skies.
While guests are encouraged to do what they need to, to feel comfortable, it should be noted that masks are mandated for large outdoor events whenever physical distancing cannot be maintained, and they have been recently mandated in outdoor gatherings of over 10,000 in LA County. It’s in everyone’s best interests to follow public health guidelines, to ensure a safe event for all involved.
Excited for the next air show? Head on to Wings Over Camarillo and check out when our next air show is scheduled!
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