5/29/2011 - Airshow Set For Memorial Day Weekend

Blue Angels Cancel Air Show Appearance

Thursday, May 26, 2011 @ 1:12 PM

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are a no show for this weekend's Wheels & Wings Airshow at the Millville Municipal Airport. The news does not stop the show, but takes away what is easily the main attraction.

The financial impacts to the airport are not known at the moment, but the airport spent lavishly to attract the Blue Angels. As of last night, their appearance still was listed. The Blue Angels were the heart of this year's promotion effort. The unit hasn't been to Millville since 2007. The unit does not know how many more scheduled shows it will miss, public affairs officer Lt. Katie Kelly said in an interview from the unit's base at Pensacola, Fla.

Lisa Jester, air show director for the sponsoring Millville Army Airfield Museum, said the Navy notified the museum at about 8:30 a.m. it would not appear. Jester said the reason is the unit is in "stand down" due to safety concerns connected to a flight error by some of the unit's pilots at an air show in Lynchburg, Va., on May 22. "Our show is on," Jester said. "We just found out about it. We're going to have a show. We're going to try to fill some gaps. This is out of our control."

Museum President Chuck Wyble said at 10:25 a.m. press conference at the airfield that the show will shift focus to the other acts, which include the Army Golden Knights parachute team, the Air Force Viper F-16 demonstration plan and a Geico-sponsored stunt plane, a large classic car show and NASCAR truck.

Kelly said she did not know what the Navy's responsibility is to the air show for the cancellation.


Wheels & Wings Airshow 2011
** UPDATED Thursday, May 26, 2011 **

The following road closures will be effect for the Millville Wheels and Wings Air Show. The times listed are approximate and may vary.

Buckshutem Road (CR 670)
Between Cedarville Rd (CR 610) and Dividing Creek Road (CR 555)
Friday, May 27, 2011 12:15 PM to 3:15 PM
Saturday, May 28, 2011 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Sunday, May 29, 2011 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Cedarville Road (Cedar Street) (CR 610)
Between Buckshutem Road (CR 670) and Brandriff Avenue
Saturday, May 28, 2011 8 AM to 7 PM
Sunday, May 29, 2011 8 AM to 7 PM

Due to the cancellation of the Blue Angels performance at the Wheels and Wings Airshow in Millville this coming Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the schedule has been rearranged as follows:

9 a.m. - Airshow gates open.

10 a.m. - Airport closes to air traffic.

10:30 a.m. - L Bird flight.

10:50 a.m. - Primary Trainer flight.

11:05 a.m. - Opening ceremony.

11:15 a.m. - Us Army Golden Knights Parachute Team presents Colors with National Anthem. (Red Eagles circling Jumper).

11:23 a.m. - U.S. Army Golden Knights Mass Exit show.

11:31 a.m. - Red Eagle Airsports teaser.

11:40 a.m. - USAF C-17A Globemaster III Flyby (Saturday only).

11:43 a.m. - NJ State Police S-76/Bell 206 SWAT demonstration.

11:58 a.m. - Jason Flood Pitts S1T demonstration.

12:10 p.m. - 1911 Curtiss Pusher flight.

12:20 p.m. Warbird flight (T-6/SNJ formations, B-25, P-47).

12:35 p.m. - Matt Chapman Embry-Riddle CAP 580 aerobatics.

12:50 p.m. - Billy Worth Pitts Aerobatics with Sibling Rivalry.

1:10 p.m. - Atlantic Health Medical Helicopter demonstration.

1:25 p.m. - NE Raiders Aerobatics Team.

1:50 p.m. - USCG MH 65C Dauphin SAR demonstration.

2:05 p.m. - Mike Wiskus Lucas Oil Pitts S2C aerobatics.

2:20 p.m. - F4U Corsair Flybys (three passes).

2:36 p.m. Tim Weber GEICO aerobatics.

3 p.m. - U.S. Army Golden Knights full show.

3:30 p.m. - Red Eagle Airsports.

3:40 p.m. - Kevin Russon SNJ-6 aerobatics.

4 p.m. - USAF F-16 Viper West demonstration.

4:15 p.m. - USAF Heritage flight (F-16, P-15).

5 p.m. - Gates close, airshow ends, TFR ends.