Cleveland National Air Show 2023

[kalamazookid]

I was told the same thing by the demo pilot on Sunday. Made me even more glad I made this show a priority.

[nosaints24]

Glad I was able to see it one last time. You knew it was coming sooner rather than later, but it’s still sad to see the end of an era. It’s always bittersweet when a demo comes to an end. Still miss the Tomcat.

[n33d4sp33d_85]

Got the chance to speak with the Harrier demo pilot yesterday (Monday) and he said that this was almost certainly the last public Harrier demo

I’m glad I made it to Atlantic City last month as I knew the Harrier’s time is nearing the end.

[Airplanefreak2000]

Shots from the weekend!

[Airplanefreak2000]

Got the chance to speak with the Harrier demo pilot yesterday (Monday) and he said that this was almost certainly the last public Harrier demo

At least for the demo team i would agree but I would take the last public demo with a grain of salt. Cherry point has an Airshow next May. If you missed the harrier demo at Cleveland, I wouldn’t miss the Cherry Point show.

[nosaints24]

Got the chance to speak with the Harrier demo pilot yesterday (Monday) and he said that this was almost certainly the last public Harrier demo

At least for the demo team i would agree but I would take the last public demo with a grain of salt. Cherry point has an Airshow next May. If you missed the harrier demo at Cleveland, I wouldn’t miss the Cherry Point show.

I think by public demo, they are referring to shows not on military bases. Maybe civilian demo would’ve been a better term?

[Bretten Bailey]

The selection board was still taking applications for all three Marine aircraft (F-35B, Osprey & Harrier) over the summer. Lots can change in a month though. I think the Harrier was a big selling point for a lot of people and I'm glad everyone got to see it one more time.

One thing to remember with the Marines is that there are no demo teams like there are for the Navy and Air Force. The Marine Corps demos are all non-aerobatic and are flown by mission ready pilots or trainers. This is why there are limited amounts of demos flown every year because it is all based on operations. The way they schedule is pretty unique as an entire board meets in the fall to determine support. Squadrons can request pending their availability, but the selection board decides the showsites. They'll call and confirm dates but not really say much else and then all of a sudden you find your show on their schedule come December. So if another squadron could support a show, it's possible to see another one. The Marine Corps could also just say "no more Harrier demos" and that would be that as well.

Whether another public show is flown (besides the aforementioned Cherry Point) or not, the Harrier in Cleveland was definitely a rare sight and was the last demo of the aircraft for many people. For 2023, the Marines only supported two shows with the Harrier (Cleveland & Atlantic City, both in August) while picking two as backup. So even if they do roll forward with two shows next year (not saying they will, just hypothetical, and they generally don't include Marine bases on their schedules for the most part), what're the odds that you would be near a show selected again? They picked up support for the Osprey & F-35B but kept the Harrier limited as the transition continues.

Always treat every Harrier Demo as the last at this point because that may truly be it. And this may truly have been it. We'll know more at the convention (the Marine Corps Forum is slated to be held on the afternoon of Monday, December 4th with the schedules being released the next day).

Back to the show, the breeze definitely helped keep things a tad more comfortable. It would've been super hot otherwise. Was a terrific weekend with terrific people!

[Airplanefreak2000]

The selection board was still taking applications for all three Marine aircraft (F-35B, Osprey & Harrier) over the summer. Lots can change in a month though. I think the Harrier was a big selling point for a lot of people and I'm glad everyone got to see it one more time.

One thing to remember with the Marines is that there are no demo teams like there are for the Navy and Air Force. The Marine Corps demos are all non-aerobatic and are flown by mission ready pilots or trainers. This is why there are limited amounts of demos flown every year because it is all based on operations. The way they schedule is pretty unique as an entire board meets in the fall to determine support. Squadrons can request pending their availability, but the selection board decides the showsites. They'll call and confirm dates but not really say much else and then all of a sudden you find your show on their schedule come December. So if another squadron could support a show, it's possible to see another one. The Marine Corps could also just say "no more Harrier demos" and that would be that as well.

Whether another public show is flown (besides the aforementioned Cherry Point) or not, the Harrier in Cleveland was definitely a rare sight and was the last demo of the aircraft for many people. For 2023, the Marines only supported two shows with the Harrier (Cleveland & Atlantic City, both in August) while picking two as backup. So even if they do roll forward with two shows next year (not saying they will, just hypothetical, and they generally don't include Marine bases on their schedules for the most part), what're the odds that you would be near a show selected again? They picked up support for the Osprey & F-35B but kept the Harrier limited as the transition continues.

Always treat every Harrier Demo as the last at this point because that may truly be it. And this may truly have been it. We'll know more at the convention (the Marine Corps Forum is slated to be held on the afternoon of Monday, December 4th with the schedules being released the next day).

Back to the show, the breeze definitely helped keep things a tad more comfortable. It would've been super hot otherwise. Was a terrific weekend with terrific people!

I want to disagree with the “not a demo team” moniker for the USMC F-35. The F-35B is a fully aerobatic demo. They also have demo team patches.

[Bretten Bailey]

^Should've clarified that the statement was directed at the Harrier & Osprey. The F-35B is the new and only certified demo. You are right on that. Just so used to only discussing the Harrier & Osprey. The same board determines support for the F-35B but I also feel like that has the highest chance of more shows being added during a season too.

[RyanS]