WATERLOO | Thousands of spectators poured through entrances early Sunday ahead of Thunder in the Valley II. After a thrilling, hot day, fans raved about what they witnessed.
"Loved it," Sue McFarland of Waterloo said. "I thought it was great. I would come back."
Air show performers, including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, took off under a blue sky painted with a few thin clouds.
McFarland liked the four-plane Aeroshell Acrobatic Team, in particular, and the Thunderbirds.
"Everybody likes the Thunderbirds," her 12-year-old son, Jonah, concluded.
Matt and Tara Meyers of Cedar Falls took their daughters, Ava, 8, and Rachel, 14, to see the aircraft and maneuvers. Midway through the day, they also got some autographs from the Golden Knights.
"It's been an excellent air show. It's great for the Cedar Valley," Matt Meyers said.
Tim Newton, a pilot and owner of Livingston Aviation, took his crop duster up during the show. He was also a member of the volunteer committee that organized Thunder in the Valley II.
"It was a huge amount of work and a huge number of people were involved," Newton said.
But worth the effort.
"It's a great show," Newton said.
He'll probably keep his day jobs, though, and forego the full-time show circuit after a limited number of engagements.
"Two -- well, four if you count both days," Newton said.
Marty Hoel, a director with Chapter 227 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, was looking forward to another exciting day as the gates opened. His group has a number of aircraft on display and on Saturday greeted hundreds of people.
"The air show is more than just airplanes flying around in the air -- although we have a lot of that," Hoel said.
Dodge had a number of new models on the airfield and offered test drives, and John Deere had several of its biggest machines nearby.
Besides a handful of F-16 fighter jets, the Air Force also brought its SuperCar. The machine started as a 2009 Ford Mustang, but Air Force personnel turned the shell into a 500-horse beast, according to Zach Herrmann, a civilian contractor traveling with the exhibit.
"They stripped the interior and made it look like the cockpit of an F-16," Herrmann said.
The driver sits in the center in an actual ejection seat, but there's no steering wheel. That was replaced by an F-16 flight stick.
"The intent is to show what a career in the Air Force can lead to," Herrmann said.
Hoel views the air show as an important promotional tool for the aviation industry and for the military branches involved. Young people can learn a lot about various careers during a short stroll around the airport.
"It's a good opportunity for youth," Hoel said.
Jerry Durham, chancellor of Allen College in Waterloo, reminded spectators to prepare for sunny conditions. Nurses staffed an air-conditioned mobile medical van loaned by Des Moines University.
The airport, by design, has no trees and little shade.
Lt. Col. Tim Eich and other members of the Iowa Army National Guard were on the airfield as well. The unit, which is based at the airport, had UH-60 and UH-72 helicopters on display. Guests could even climb aboard the UH-60, which was set up for medical evacuations.
The goal, Eich said, is to give folks an idea what the Guard does.
"It shows the taxpayers where all their money goes. We can explain the mission and why we do what we do," Eich added.
The Iowa Army National Guard representatives are also talking to potential members.
"We're always looking for good people," Eich said.
Given the air show's track record, Hoel expects another is in the Cedar Valley's future.
"Yes, you bet," he said. "I would guess it will be an event every couple of years, although we don't have it nailed down yet."
The reason is the show's success so far.
"It is well-received," Hoel said. "I think the community is hungry for it."
Newton also hopes the Thunder returns.
"I'm optimistic. I think we should have another one," he said. "It's great for the community."
Story and Photos: http://wcfcourier.com
Spectators swarm over the TBM Avenger, a World War II aircraft, on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, at the Waterloo Regional Airport.
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