Boston-Portsmouth Air Show Soars Into City Next Weekend

Last year's Boston-Portsmouth Air Show at Pease International Tradeport was a huge success. Maybe too huge.

So many people attended -- an estimated 75,000 over two days -- that traffic was backed up in both directions on the Spaulding Turnpike leading into the event. Many attendees also complained that there wasn't enough water available.

This year, organizers have taken steps to address the problems encountered last year. Most notably, they've completely revamped the traffic plan for the Aug. 13th and 14th event. And it's a good thing, because this year's lineup is sure to draw big crowds to the area once again.

That lineup includes the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, plus military demonstrations from the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, the U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet and the New Hampshire Air National Guard KC-135. The Super Hornet will also be featured in the U.S. Navy Legacy Flight with the F4U Corsair. 

The show will also feature civilian aerobatic stars like National Aviation Hall of Famer Sean D. Tucker, New England native Michael Goulian, and Jason Newburg. Aerobatic teams performing include Team AeroShell with their four AT-6 “Texans”, The Northeast Raiders flying Yakovlev 52s and Nanchang CJ6’s, and Team Heavy Metal, a new jet demonstration team flying four L-39’s and one T-33. The show will also have a MIG-17 demonstration and a P-51 Mustang demonstration.

There will also be numerous on-ground aircraft displays and a Kidz Zone Play Area.

"It's a great lineup," said event co-producer Mike Kaufman. "It's really outstanding. We were really quite fortunate to be able to secure the acts we did. It goes to the fact of what a wonderful venue this is."

To address the traffic problems, organizers decided to open the gates a little earlier -- at 8 a.m. -- and start the show an hour later.

"That will hopefully give a greater window for people to get up and come out to the air show," Kaufman said.

Last year, there were only two ways for motorists to get into the Tradeport, but this year there will be four. More parking lots and more parking attendants have also been added to keep the traffic flowing steadily into the event.

"At the end of the day, history's your best teacher," Kaufman said. "Will there be some bottlenecks? Yes. But we're going to be able to move a lot more traffic a lot more efficiently."

There will also be free water this year, misting tents, and almost double the amount of concession booths.

Kaufman said organizers aren't expecting as many people as last year, as it had been 20 years since there had been a big air show in this area. But the Thunderbirds alone should ensure that it is still extremely well attended.

"It's hard to beat the Thunderbirds," he said. "They're right there beside the Blue Angels (last year's main attraction) in terms of the two absolutely best performance teams in the world."

There will be far fewer breaks between acts this year, compared to the 15-minute breaks at last year's event.

"There are not going to be any lulls whatsoever," Kaufman said. "Pretty much from 11 to 4:30, if you look in the sky, there's going to be something flying."

Tickets for the show range from $15 to $25, and are available at www.BostonPortsmouthAirShow.com. The Service Credit Union Boston–Portsmouth Air Show is jointly produced by the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire.