Rhode Island National Guard Open House June 27th & 28th

[N101CV]

I am planning on being there for at least Saturday. Three or 4 days with Sean Tucker is enough to wear anyone out. That guy has ENERGY!

[moose135]

F-22 reportedly in, and they are removing the F-15 from the show.

The ACC show schedule lists both the F-22 and F-16 demos, as well as a Heritage Flight, for RI.

[Steven Holzinger]

Yeah, no Ritz & Gizmo with the Strike Eagle. Still gonna be a great show...

[SPEEED]

For anyone interested in going... get there early. Gates open at 9 am and there is almost always people lining up before 0730.

When you say get there early, you mean the line starts building up at the gate? Once the gates are opened, how does it work? Is it basically a matter of who can run fastest to the fencing line to secure a first raw view of the runway? I assume parking is outside the gate?

If you can describe the layout (parking, entrance, viewing section, etc.), I would greatly appreciate it. :)

TIA

[Steven Holzinger]

When you say get there early, you mean the line starts building up at the gate? Once the gates are opened, how does it work? Is it basically a matter of who can run fastest to the fencing line to secure a first raw view of the runway? I assume parking is outside the gate?

If you can describe the layout (parking, entrance, viewing section, etc.), I would greatly appreciate it. :)

TIA

To answer the first set of questions - yes, yes, and yes. There are several different lots around the airport area so the best bet is to get there as early as you can. Like I said, 0730 is pretty early and I have heard of people starting to line up at that hour. Last year, all of the front row seats were taken up within the first 25 minutes of the gates opening. Show center is taken up with all corporate chalets and such, with show left and right always being open for everyone else. Best places to sit are at either end.

[SPEEED]

Thank you very much. That helped! :)

[nikon50bigma]

Is Friday also open to the public or just media coverage?

[SPEEED]

Anyone knows what's the situation with backpacks? On the show's site it states that only 'small' camera bags are permitted. I'm planning on brining two gripped bodies, 70-200 f2.8 IS, 100-400L, 10-22, 17-55, and a Bogen Tripod - all stuffed in a Crumpler Whicky & Cox backpack (tripod will strapped on the back). Will I have any issues with this gear?

[nikon50bigma]

I got in there last year with a Lowepro Mini Trekker backpack with no issues.

[SPEEED]

Great, thanks :)

[fk6065]

Never had a problem with a back pack. They search it.

On another note, The Snowbirds are currently grounded with ejection seat problems and may not perform.

[SPEEED]

One more question: Anyone knows when the event is scheduled to conclude? (as in approximate hour of the day)

[Greg_NY]

The Snowbirds are cleared to fly again!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/ ... aired.html

[nikon50bigma]

Only a week to go!
I was taking to a few people a couple weeks ago at the Jones Beach Airshow and they mentioned something about a ferry from somewhere on Long Island or Coneticuit that connects to Rhode Island ot somewhere near there. Anyone know the name of the ferry company?
For me to drive there its 3 and 1/2 hours from Staten Island, so if the ferry could shave off some time like an hour that would be great!

[moose135]

The Cross Sound Ferry operates between Orient Point and New London, CT:
https://www.longislandferry.com/Default.asp

There is also the Port Jeff Ferry that operates between Port Jefferson and Bridgeport, CT:
http://www.bpjferry.com/Default.aspx

Both ferry services charge in the area of $50 each way for a car + driver. From Staten Island, I don't think you will save enough time to make the ferry worth it - in fact, when you add in the time it takes to cross (the Orient Point ferry takes 1 hr 20 min plus check in, loading, unloading) you will probably end up taking longer to get there. If you were starting out on Long Island, these would probably be a better option to consider.