Sunny Sunday in the forecast for Wings Over Wayne!

The forecast:  SUNNY! High of 72 degrees, light breeze. Remember to wear sunscreen!

The full air-show lineup awaits at Sunday’s Wings Over Wayne at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro!

The complete schedule includes the USAF Thunderbirds, the F-15E Strike Eagle Demo team, the A-10 demo team, Tora! Tora! Tora!, military working dogs, aerial acrobats, classic aircraft including the MiG-17, the F-4, the P-51, a HUGE kids’ zone, static displays, and a concert by Tracy Lawrence! And so much more.

Check out the website for all the details on times, parking, traffic, displays, and performers.

Plane spotters: Aircraft departure schedule for Wings Over Wayne

The show isn’t over until it’s over, right? If you’re still around after Wings Over Wayne, the performers will be departing on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.

Here’s what we think we know (all times are subject to change. If an aircraft isn’t listed, its departure time hasn’t been released):

DEPARTING ON APRIL 17  after Wings Over Wayne air show:  1600 – 1830

• F/A-18F
• MiG-17F
• A-1H Cobra
• Tora! Tora! Tora!
• Bulldog T-1
• YAK-52
• O-2A
• EC-135
• AC50
• A-26

DEPARTING on Monday, April 18,  0900 – 1200

• AH-64
• Thunderbirds
• T-28B
• O-1 Birddog
• A-10
• T-1
• B-1B
• C-17
• MX2
• P-51
• T-38A
• Fokker F-27
• BE-18
• B-52
• P-40
• B-17
• T-38C
• HU-25

Want to see something cool? Look up! Performer practice and arrival schedule

Wings Over Wayne round-up! Parking, directions, schedules, attractions, FAQ and more!

Wings Over Wayne Community Appreciation Weekend and Air Show

• Dates: April 16 & 17, 2011
• Location: Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Goldsboro, North Carolina
• Gates:  Open at 8 a.m.
• Admission: FREE!
• Parking and traffic flow, click here.
• Directions to Goldsboro, click here.  
• Webpage: www.wingsoverwayne.com. Follow us on  Facebook and Twitter for up-to-the minute conversations, news, and prizes!
• Information: Follow the 4^th Security Forces Squadron on Twitter for info on day-of parking, and tune into 1610 AM for traffic information.

Aerial performances: USAF Thunderbirds, F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team, Tora! Tora! Tora!, Rob Holland Ultimate Air Show, U.S. Army Golden Knights, A-10 Demo, F-4 Demo, Matt Younkin, MiG-17, P-51 Mustang, Matt Chapman, and MORE! Click here for the complete schedule.

Concerts: Saturday, 5 p.m. – Aaron Tippin! Sunday, 5 p.m. – Tracy Lawrence! Saturday and Sunday – The Garage Boys, Vegas’ hottest cover band & The NC Revelers Orchestra, a 1940s big-band style sensation!  Click here for more info on our musical talent.  

Appearances: Victoria Huggins, a 2010 American Idol contestant, sings the national anthem on Saturday and Miss North Carolina, Adrienne Leigh Core, will be signing autographs!  Want more info, click here..

Static aircraft displays: Including B-1B “Lancer,” F-15E “Strike Eagle,” F-22 “Raptor,” C-17 “Globemaster III,” AV-8B “Harrier,” AH-64 “Apache,” B-17 “Flying Fortress” Memphis Belle, and SO MANY MORE! Click here for the complete list of military static displays, and click here for a complete list of historic war bird displays.

Non-flying attractions: The US Air Force Honor Guard, the SJAFB K-9 Team, a HUGE Kids Zone, the Orange County Choppers “Stealth Bike,” 20 show-quality Chevy Corvettes (Saturday only) and 20 show-quality Ford Mustangs (Saturday Only), live music, vendors, food, and tons more!

In addition to the public show, Wings Over Wayne and the USAF Thunderbirds team is hosting a number of children and their families from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern North Carolina for a special red-carpet day of fun on Friday, April 15 at Seymour Johnson AFB. Read more here…

Also, Wayne County Teacher of the Year, Scott Hardy, has been invited for a trip up in a Thunderbird jet! To read his story, click here.

Have questions? Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, or ask us a question on Facebook!  

For more information on Wings Over Wayne, visit the website at www.wingsoverwayne.com!

Up and away! Wayne County Teacher of the Year to fly with USAF Thunderbirds

Welcome to the best year of Scott Hardy’s life.

Hardy is a teacher at Spring Creek High School in Goldsboro, NC. It’s a job he loves; a job he was meant to do.

Scott Hardy and his wife, Skyler

“Being a teacher was not a career path I chose at 18, but it was one I was soon drawn to during my days in law enforcement,” Hardy said. “The old saying, when you do something you enjoy you never work a day, is true.”

In September, Hardy was singled out as Wayne County Teacher of the Year and was recognized by his colleagues, students, and the community for being the best at what he loves to do.

Already proud to represent Wayne County and pleased with the recognition, Hardy was completely shocked when he was invited by Wings Over Wayne and the USAF Thunderbirds to take a recognition flight in a Thunderbird jet to further honor his achievement.

“I was stunned. My family thought I was joking. Now, I’m just ecstatic!” Hardy said. “This is something I have dreamed of all my life. I’ve seen on TV where reporters or celebrities were given the opportunity to fly, but I never, in my wildest dreams, thought it would happen to me.”

Hardy will visit Seymour Johnson this week when the Thunderbirds come to town for the Wings Over Wayne Air Show, and will be briefed, fitted, and flown at top-speed in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

“I think this has probably been the best year of my life, and this flight is like icing on the cake,” Hardy said.

Hardy’s students and colleagues are excited for him, and even more excited to hear all about his trip up in one of the world’s most maneuverable fighter aircraft.

With some high-speed turns, inverted fly-pasts, and loop-de-loops potentially in his future, Hardy’s biggest question is: “Should I eat, or not eat before the flight?”

In all seriousness, though, Hardy is humbled by this invitation.

“I am so grateful, and so honored to have this experience. I want to thank Seymour Johnson and the Thunderbirds for allowing me to have this incredible opportunity,” He said. “I know the air show is an opportunity for our airmen to show their best to the community. In truth, it is a time that we should say thank you to our airmen. Thank you for our freedom.”
——————————————————
Scott Hardy began his career in education in 1995 when he served as a School Resource Officer for Greene County Schools. Hardy taught conflict resolution to 6th grade students and a history and character education program to “at risk” high school students, he was drawn to teaching and traded his badge for the blackboard in 1998. A Goldsboro native and regular Wings Over Wayne attendee, Hardy has been teaching for 12 years at Spring Creek High School in Wayne County.

Hardy’s teaching style emphasizes interactive lessons for the students, engaging them in history, civics, and global studies.

“I teach with a lot of passion and try to bring history to life for my students and make it relevant to them,” Hardy said. “Anecdotal stories, imitations, and reenactments make the class as fun for me as it is for the students.”

Hardy is no stranger to being a student, either. He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Mount Olive College in 1997, and went on to earn a teaching certificate in middle and high school social studies from East Carolina University (2002), a National Board Certification in adolescent/young adult social studies (2004), a master’s degree in history from East Carolina University (2005), and a Presbyterian Lay Pastor Certification from Presbytery of New Hope (2008).

Hardy has made the grade, so to speak, to experience something few ever get to. And he didn’t even know he was up for the honor. He was just doing his job.

You asked, they answered! Check out what the F-15E Demo team has to say – and then come see them perform at Wings Over Wayne

The F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team based out of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base travels to air shows around the world, displaying the F-15E’s capabilities as a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

The team’s two members, Maj. Mike “Cash” Maeder (pilot) and Capt. Steven “Buda” Bofferding (weapons systems officer or WSO), volunteered to answer questions submitted by our Facebook and Twitter fans!

Of course they’ll be performing in front of their home crowd at this year’s Wings Over Wayne air show at SJAFB in Goldsboro, NC! Only nine more days until takeoff!

Here’s what you asked, and what they answered:

1. What part of your job do you enjoy most?
   We like putting on a good demonstration and interacting with the crowd at the show.
2. What is the most annoying part of your job?
   Filling out paperwork!
3. How early do you arrive at the squadron for a training flight? For an air show performance?
   Training: 4-5 hours prior. Airshow: Prior to opening time for the morning performer brief.
   

       CAPT. BOFFERDING

    

4. When you do the walk around before the flight, is there honestly anything that you can really see that is out of order?
   There are items on the preflight that we check specifically but our maintenance team is outstanding and makes the process very easy.
5. What kind of car do you drive?
   Our dream cars are an Aston Martin DB9 and a ’69 Pontiac GTO Ram Air 3; however, in reality, we’re much more practical.
6. Did you go to the Air Force Academy? If not, where did you go to college?
   The demo pilot went to the University of Florida and the demo WSO went to the University of Oklahoma.
7. Do you have to be a science or engineering major to be a pilot or WSO? What did you major in?
   
   

       MAJ. MAEDER

   No, there are pilots and WSOs with nearly every type of degree imaginable. Our demo pilot studied Computer Science and the demo WSO studied Economics.

8. Have you been to Afghanistan? How many times? How many combat hours do you have?
   Both of us have been to Afghanistan and we have around 500 combat hours each.
9. Just how much performance do you lose by having the -220 engines instead of the more powerful -229 engines? Can you tell a difference? When is it most noticable (i.e. air-to-air)?
   Yes you can tell the difference. The -229 engines produce around 5000 extra pounds of thrust each. We notice it most any time we need the extra power (heavyweight, high-altitude, high-g maneuvers, etc.)
10. What is the F-15E equivalent for the RAF Tornado Brimstone missiles that have been taking out tanks at long range in Libya?
    We’re going to pass this question on to public affairs…
11. If you take off from SJAFB and head east to Cape Hatteras..How fast can you get there at top speed?
    Takeoff to landing about 10 minutes. Already at top speed about 4 minutes.
12. What type of exercise regimen do you guys subscribe to for conditioning yourselves for high-G flight?
    Mostly about healthy lifestyle choices: working out, eating right, and staying active in general. Exercises specifically aimed at g-tolerance focus mainly on the lower body/abdominal area.

The F-15E Strike Eagle Demo team joins the USAF Thunderbirds, the U.S. Army Golden Knights, Rob Holland Ultimate Air Shows, Tora! Tora! Tora!, and many more aerial performers at this year’s Wings Over Wayne air show at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC, April 16 and 17. For more information, the complete schedule of events, and more, visit www.wingsoverwayneairshow.com!

Getting to Wings Over Wayne – Parking Info & Traffic Flow!

With tens of thousands of people flocking to Goldsboro for Wings Over Wayne, a detailed traffic flow and parking plan has been in the works for weeks. The planning team wanted to get it just right, and they’ve got it all finalized just in time!

Traffic flow

View larger.

The NC Highway Patrol will keep traffic moving safely in Goldsboro and along the highways. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department will be deploying its aviation unit helicopter to keep eyes on the traffic flow. Remember, it might get crowded, so drive safely, take extra care to be aware, and be on the lookout for traffic directors on the ground!

Traffic updates
For traffic updates tune into 1610 AM. The Wayne County Sheriffs’ Department helicopter crew will provide real-time traffic flow updates for guests’ situational awareness on this channel.

Entering the base
The Oak Forest and Berkeley Gates open to the public April 16-17 at 8 a.m. The Oak Forest Gate will be open to inbound traffic until 2 p.m. The Berkley Gate will be open to inbound traffic until 6 p.m. Both gates will have two lanes open to inbound traffic. Car pooling is encouraged.

To help facilitate the flow of traffic onto the base, traffic traveling down Berkeley Boulevard toward the base will have an extended green light. In addition, a Goldsboro police officer will be on-site to assist with the traffic flow.

Parking on base
There will be four parking areas on base, broken into four color zones. Shuttles will stop in each color zone every 20-30 minutes. The larger color zones will have bleachers and port-a-johns available for guest use. It is recommended those waiting for buses have everything they need to take on base with them to include sunscreen, sunglasses and cash.

Handicap parking areas will also be available. Individuals requesting handicapped parking must have state-approved handicapped placards.

Parking off base
For local spectators choosing to park off base, there will be parking areas available near Greenwood Middle School and Meadow Lane Elementary School. Spectators parking off base at these locations will proceed through a pedestrian gate on to the base and will be able to either walk to the event or take an on-base shuttle.

Leaving the base
At the end of the Air Show, the Oak Forest, Berkeley and Slocumb Gates will be open for outbound traffic. Signs will be strategically placed off-base to direct drivers to US-70 or US-117.

For the complete schedule of events, information on how to get to Goldsboro, and other news about Wings Over Wayne, visit www.wingsoverwayne.com.

A spectacular day out for Make-A-Wish kids at Wings Over Wayne!

A team of airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force base has been planning a very special event for a group of very special children as part of the Wings Over Wayne air show week.

The day before thousands of people file through the base gates, a group of kids from Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina will be given a private show all their own.

A center-stage viewing of the Thunderbirds’ practice, a private autograph session with the team’s crew members, tours of the F-15E squadrons, a trip in the KC-135R simulator, and a meet-and-greet with the base K-9 team will be just part of their air show experience on Friday, April 16.

Car Wash!

As part of the Make-A-Wish event, volunteers have planned a fundraising car wash to benefit Make-A-Wish of Eastern North Carolina on Friday, April 8 at Advanced Auto Parts in Goldsboro (305 Berkeley Blvd.) from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Make-A-Wish, funded solely by the generous donations of people in communities across America, grants the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions.

Stop by the car wash and help Make-A-Wish continue to make wishes come true!

Air shows, festivals, and four other awesome, cheap family outings that you haven’t thought about, yet!

With gas prices on their way up just in time for spring and summer, it’s time to find ways to stretch the vacation fund!  “Staycations,” vacationing near the house or at home, are back on the table for keeping the family busy in 2011. 

Bet you thought this would all be about air shows? Well, it isn’t! After coming up with all of the reasons why I think Wings Over Wayne is a great family destination, I started finding a ton of other events that are inexpensive, family friendly, and tons of fun!

(1)    AIR SHOWS! – Ok, ok. I have to start with this one. A shout out to Wings Over Wayne (April 16 & 17, Goldsboro, NC), and all of the major and regional air shows out there. They’re almost always FREE and are generally more than just aerial performances. In addition to loop-de-loops, supersonic jets, and parachutes, there are often pilots to meet, mascots to hug, places to play, and cars and trucks to see! At Wings Over Wayne, for example, we have a 50,000 square-foot Kid’s Zone with bouncy castles, inflatable slides, trampolines, and kid activities. Little princesses can meet Miss North Carolina and future aviators can get autographs from the USAF Thunderbird team or climb up and see inside an F-15. Country music fans of any age will enjoy free concerts by country superstars Aaron Tippin and Tracy Lawrence.  Free admission, free parking, and more activities than a day at Disney, air shows are a great staycation choice.

• April 16 & 17, Goldsboro, NC – Wings Over Wayne
• Click here for a list of air shows across America. 

(2)    Dog agility trials –“Hey, mom! It looks like a mop with legs!”

You might think this is an unusual choice, but you wouldn’t believe how fun dog shows can be for kids! With more than 161 different recognized dog breeds, your little ones are sure to be wow’ed when they see their first puli. When they get tired of watching the pooches prance around the ring, you can take them to the agility area where dogs sprint at top speed through tunnels, over jumps, and on top of towers. With easy parking and, often, free admission, dog agility trials and dog shows can be a fun day out. And might even encourage the kids to teach Fido how to “sit.”

• May 25, Fletcher, NC – AKC Dog Agility Trial
• August 14, Sanford, NC – Greater Monroe Kennel Club Agility Trial
• For a complete list of AKC agility events

(3)    BBQ Festivals – More than just cheap eats.  While I always envisioned rows of picnic tables loaded with greasy napkins, BBQ festivals are more than just a crowded picnic. Often ridiculously cheap food, such as the $5 plates at Pig in the Park in Goldsboro on April 9, free admission, hot air balloon rides, and kid-friendly activities accompany these North Carolina cook-offs. For example, Pig in the Park will feature music from two regional bands, face painting booths, and a miniature train!

• April 9, Goldsboro, NC – Pig in the Park
• BBQ festivals in North Carolina

(4)    Free fishing events – Sometimes not even having a pole should stop you from goin’ fishin’! Ponds, streams, and waterways across the state often offer fishing open days for kids and families, and sometimes they even have equipment available to borrow! Pack a picnic and introduce your family to worms and hooks.

• April 2 & 3, Blowing Rock, NC – Trout Derby
• June 4, Chapel Hill, NC – Youth Fishing Rodeo
• July 4, North Carolina, Statewide! Free fishing day across the state.

(5)    Fun runs – You think running a 5K is just for the gym-set, but often road races offer a 1-mile family fun run for strollers, kids, and families! After the race, you can get snacks, have lunch, and cheer on the finishers as they cross the line.

• April 30, Morehead City, NC – Lookout Spring Road Race
• June 11, Beech Mountain, NC – Cool 5 and Fun Run

(6)    Festivals & Fairs – Like amusement parks, town festivals and county fairs often have rides, activities, souvenirs and snacks, but at half the price! Look for small towns and major cities that host street festivals, or take a trip to the state fair instead of going the hundreds of miles to Disney!

• April 9, Greenville, NC – Pirate Fest!
• April 29, Mount Olive, NC – North Carolina Pickle Festival
• July 29 – 31, Asheville, NC – Bele Chere, the largest free street festival in the Southeast!

Ways to make your staycation even more special:

Go camping! Just because you’re not traveling far from home, doesn’t mean you can sleep under the stars. Look for campgrounds with swimming pools or in state parks with hiking and biking and campfire opportunities. For example, if you’re coming all the way to Wayne County for Wings Over Wayne, book a campsite at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park – they’ve got picnic tables, a swimming hole, and walking trails along the river!

Photo safari! Give the kids the outdated, but still functional, digital camera and send them on a photo safari! See if they can find an out-of-state license plate, a Coke logo, a raffle booth, or anything else you put on your event list. Maybe you want to take the kids to an even that is more interesting to you than them, well a photo safari and promise of an ice cream cone might get you all through the day!

For more great outings and attractions in North Carolina, visit the North Carolina Travel & Tourism website at www.visitnc.com.

Tips for protecting your child’s hearing at Wings Over Wayne

Should you be concerned about your kids’ hearing at Wings Over Wayne?

Photo by S. Russell Photography.

Noise levels at air shows regularly reach decibel levels above 80, and possibly peak well into the 100s, during performances by teams of loud jets. Should you be concerned about protecting your children from hearing damage when you bring them to an air show like Wings Over Wayne?
According to Dr. Cory Bean, FAAP, a pediatrician at Goldsboro Pediatrics in Goldsboro, N.C., sustained noise above 85 decibels can cause some temporary or permanent hearing damage.

How does this translate to Wings Over Wayne?

At Wings Over Wayne, the sound levels will vary depending on what aircraft are in the sky and what performers are on stage. Some aerial performances, like the Thunderbirds, may exceed 80 decibels during their show. Throughout the day, decibel levels will go up and down.

What about the REALLY loud times?

It’s true that during some of the performances at Wings Over Wayne – including the concerts – decibel levels may go past 85 dB. High-speed flyovers, explosions, loud speakers, and other sounds can be compared to riding a really loud motorcycle (100 dB) or using a power saw (110 dB).

Most of the loudest sounds at Wings Over Wayne will be very brief, but it still is advisable for you to seek hearing protection for yourself and your family.

“In general, when the family attends any event or activity – a NASCAR race, an air show, a rock concert, or target shooting – ear protection such as ear plugs should be worn by the entire family,” said Dr. Bean.

Often kids will put their hands over their ears reflexively when they hear really loud sounds, but that isn’t enough to really protect their hearing.

“Purchasing inexpensive, over-the-counter earplugs available at most pharmacies and retail stores is a good idea,” said Beans. “They are easy to use, will protect the sensitive inner ear, and come in different sizes for children and adults.”

Tips:

• Choose a pair of earplugs connected to a string that they can wear like a necklace, so the kids don’t lose them when they’re playing or running.
• If you’re bringing a baby or toddler, buy a pair of noise reduction earmuffs at a home improvement store. They’re relatively inexpensive and your baby will look like a little aviator!
• Because takeoffs and start-ups are probably the loudest times, sit near the back center of the air show, not at either end of the runway or right up front where the jets engines are the loudest.
• Don’t sit near the speakers during the Aaron Tippin or Tracy Lawrence concerts! Sit near the back, farther away from the speakers.