1. It all depends on what you want from your airshow experience. Do you want to get pics of the Heritage Flights? Do you want pics of the acro acts going thru the motions? Shots of the 106th rescue demo in action over the water? Then yes head to the beach. We don't have a demo team this year so the draw to see the full show is not there. If you are content with just getting shots of single airplanes, then stay at FRG. The warbirds, skytypers and military jets usually make a pass or two before landing.
Also, there is really not a backlight issue at the beach. I've seen a lot worse. Sunrise is 5:30 am so by the time the show starts it is well above and slightly west this time of year. The only real problem we've had some years has been HAZE. An on shore breeze just makes it worse. Also traffic should be down this year without the draw of the team. As with any show if you are a serious fan/photog, get there early and plan to stay an hour after the show to let the traffic thin out. We 3 major roadways out of the park it's never been a serious issue.
2. The AAM Ramp at FRG is a good place to be for the show, but there is not a lot of wiggle room. All aircraft that are to fly for the show are not accessible and outside the crowd barriers or airside if you will. Since the warbirds fly early, it is most likely that FIFI will fly around 9-11 and then land, and be brought inside the crowd barriers to be opened up for tours. I would wager that the B-17 will stay airside and be coming and going for rides. Most of the AAM's fleet will be outside the barriers, but one or two that won't fly will be on display in the hangar or ramp.
For shooting acts in the air, get to the museum early to get a spot at the short crowd line. The ramp is between two hangars so there is not a lot of time to set up your shots. When the fighters make a bananna pass from the south, they suddenly pop up from behind the big hangar, and you have seconds in which to focus and shoot before they disappear behind the AAM hangar. Definately a challenging locale.
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