Brittany Woods watched the graceful – and very loud – military jets fly over her during the 32nd Quad City Air Show at the Davenport Municipal Airport on Saturday, June 24.
This was one of her favorite moments of the show.
“It’s just so powerful and amazing. I don’t know how they do all those things. It’s just full of power,” the Davenport woman said about the military jets.
Ms. Woods was one of thousands of people who showed up to watch and experience the return of the air show on Saturday and Sunday, June 24-25. (Show officials were unavailable Monday morning, June 26, to give a crowd estimate.)
The many fans of the air show saw that power in a variety of ways. Some of that power could be seen in these show features:
- In addition to the modern military jets, the show provided many powerful memories of another time with World War II-era planes flying over the crowds as well as on display during the weekend. (A few of the classic aircraft included the P51 Mustang, PT17 Stearman, T-33 Shooting Star and C-47 Skytrain.)
- There was the power of more modern air power such as the performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor Demo Team and the Canadian Skyhawks Parachute Team.
- There was also the power of the show’s return after a three-year hiatus. Many fans were happy for the show’s new chapter as they remembered their past visits to the show.
- The power of new experiences as some people at the show decided to take first steps to becoming pilots or get involved in new aviation programs.
- And also the power of nature. After a sunny, hot Saturday, the region was hit with stormy weather Saturday night. A tornado passed near the airport late Saturday and caused extensive damage to many of the vendor displays. A small army of volunteers helped with cleanup work and got the show ready for Sunday. “What is it with the air show and storms? Anyway, despite Saturday night’s storm, and Sunday’s high winds, the Quad City Air Show was quite successful on Sunday afternoon. It was definitely the first time in all of the QC Air Shows I’ve been … chilly,” according to a post on the air show’s Facebook page.
The gates to the air show opened about an hour late on Sunday because of the storm cleanup work. Thousands of air show fans were soon busy buying goods, food and drinks from vendors, looking up to see aircraft and recalling about their past adventures to the show.
“It’s been many, many moons since I’ve been here,” Cindy Longnecker, an air show spectator said while attending Saturday’s events. “When I was here last, I saw the Blue Angels. That might have been in ‘95. I like this today. I like how they have it set up.”
Another area woman making her return visit to the show was Mary Pewe of Davenport.
“I was here once 20 years ago. Now, I’m here with my grandson,” said Ms. Pewe, who added that she was especially looking forward to performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and F22 Raptor team.
Many other air show fans also had words of praise for this year’s show. For instance, Don Mensen of Carroll County, Illinois, called the show “awesome and beautiful” with the flight demonstrations topping his list of fan favorites.
Others in the crowd had their own favorites.
“I’m looking forward to the jets. …. Even the parking has been great. So, I’ve got no complaints,” said Elliott Pennock of DeWitt, Iowa, as he watched the show on Saturday.
Other people at the show were busy giving business to the dozens of vendors selling drinks, sandwiches, lawn chairs and just about every item associated with aircraft. There also were helicopter rides available for $50 each, tours of vintage planes and kids got a chance to sit in a replica F-18 Hornet military jet cockpit and have their photos taken.
But for at least some people at the Quad City Air Show, the event was an opportunity to make plans for the future.
For instance, as many vendors were under tents selling sandwiches and beer, Tom Lueck was under a tent telling people about a new aviation maintenance technology program being started at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
“We’re here hoping to generate some interest in this program because it starts this fall,” said Mr. Lueck, an instructor at Kirkwood in the new program.
As of May 2022, the median annual wage for aircraft mechanics and service technicians was $70,010. Entry-level wages range from $20 to $23.90 per hour, according to information from Kirkwood.
Kirkwood Community College is partnering with Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids to launch the new program in a couple of months to address a significant area of need in the workforce — providing opportunities to people looking to break into the aviation industry.
In a news release, Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham said aviation activity in Iowa contributes an estimated approximately $5.4 billion to Iowa’s economy and supports an estimated 47,223 jobs in Iowa with an annual payroll of $2.7 billion. The aviation market is only expected to grow in the coming decades, she said.
In addition to making a career in aviation, other people used the air show to perhaps expand their skills and experiences. For instance, at the Revv Aviation tent, many people signed up to take $99 “Discovery Flights” as a way to spark their love of aviation and perhaps even become pilots.
“I’ve had a wide variety of people come through here today,” said Aaron Hanks of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who was helping book people on the flights and had talked to more than 100 visitors by early Saturday afternoon. “There are some older people coming here, and some students who want to get their feet wet. … With this show, people’s minds are on flying.”
