Nellis Air Show at LasVegas Speedway

So after looking at the lineup at this airshow i decided i was going to take the trek up from San Diego to check it out. However i'm a little leary since it wont be done on the actual base and at a speedway instead. Has anyone went to the event before when it was help at Las Vegas Speedway? Is that where its normally held? Just trying to figure out the logisitcs and how the jets are going to be taking off off of a speedway...i'm assuming its a le mans course. Can someone just provide some info about how they run the show there.

Thanks!

I thought it was always held at Nellis unless they've changed it for security reasons...

Thats very interesting , when I was at Nellis in 07 they used the speedway for parking and had shuttle buses to ferry the people to and from the base.I am sure they will launch from Nellis and do there demos overhead,if indeed thats the case.

Hmmm maybe i am wrong then and they are only using the speedway for parking...i guess that would make more sense. I'm hoping thats the case anyway...lol

chuckie365 wrote in post #8827101
Hmmm maybe i am wrong then and they are only using the speedway for parking...i guess that would make more sense. I'm hoping thats the case anyway...lol

That's how it works, you park at the speedway and the show is at the airport. Just out of curiosity where did you hear/get the idea they were doing the show at the speedway?

RCoulter wrote in post #8830611
That's how it works, you park at the speedway and the show is at the airport. Just out of curiosity where did you hear/get the idea they were doing the show at the speedway?

I was stationed at Nellis for 5.5 years.
PARKING is at the speedway. you will be bussed into the base for security reasons and due to limited parking on base.

The Raceway is literally right across the street from the base. They do a good job at keep the busses moving.

We (the AF parachute team wings of blue) will be skydiving into the show.
I will not be there this year because I will be on the nevada state skydiving record attempts in Mesquite (70 Mmiles North) of vegas.

I am sure that if you take your camera and shoot some of the chutes that the teams would be interested in at least viewing them. (you may get a few sales out of it. too.) If you have any good shots pm me and I will get the team to look at your sites.
If you wanna check out some of the shots I took of the teams lately check out my website (www.shutterfly.com/pro​/jt/photos)

Ok great. Thanks for the infromation, i expect at this point to be there both days. Where would you say is the best place to be such that im not shooting into the sun and and having to worry about silhouettes? Thanks!

You are facing the light in the morning, but by the afternoon the light will be to your back and just about perfect

Awesome...can't wait

chuckie365 wrote in post #8893344
Ok great. Thanks for the infromation, i expect at this point to be there both days. Where would you say is the best place to be such that im not shooting into the sun and and having to worry about silhouettes? Thanks!

RCoulter wrote in post #8893676
You are facing the light in the morning, but by the afternoon the light will be to your back and just about perfect

Yep. If you have a long lense you'll be fine. If you find show center and set up there you'll get the best shots. (Show center is where the t-birds are parked.)

The parachute team does two shows per day, if you're interested.

They jump the flag in in the morning to start the show. It's usually a "crowd line spread" meaning that they will all land along the length of the crowd line.

The afternoon show they do 3 to 4 passes with different aspects of skydiving. Depending on the ceiling. They may even do they wingsuit demo at this show. This is where they will all land on a target. After the 2nd show they all go into the crowd and pack their parachutes. Its a chance for us to talk and answer questions.
(my favorite part of the demo is meeting curious people.)
Shortly after that the tbirds take off.
At show center you will get the better shots since the angles will be correct.
I.E. The visual of them crossing over each other will more impressive from the center rather than the far right or left.

OK so whats the best time to get there so i can get show center? I'm sure there's usually a big line to get in for this show. I always like to be right at the front to make it easier to get taxiing shots of the jets and props. Is it ok to bring chairs as well? Thanks!

chuckie365 wrote in post #8896593
OK so whats the best time to get there so i can get show center? I'm sure there's usually a big line to get in for this show. I always like to be right at the front to make it easier to get taxiing shots of the jets and props. Is it ok to bring chairs as well? Thanks!

DEFINITELY bring chairs.
It depends on the size of your group. if its just you going you can weave in and out of the crowd. if youre bringing a few people I would get there as early as you can. Set up camp and hang out. Bring sunscreen and water at a minimum

Ive read in some other threads that you need a lot of lens at nellis, is this true? I have my 100-400, but was considering renting a 300 2.8 and a 1.4tc. Do you guys think this owuld be better?

Matt

camaronut502 wrote in post #8947320
Ive read in some other threads that you need a lot of lens at nellis, is this true? I have my 100-400, but was considering renting a 300 2.8 and a 1.4tc. Do you guys think this owuld be better?

Matt

300 with a 1.4= 420 not much better than the 400.

First time (and last time) I went to Nellis I had the 100-400, when I got home I bought the 500MM ,after seeing alot of 500's and 600's. Never have looked back on that purchase.

camaronut502 wrote in post #8947320
Ive read in some other threads that you need a lot of lens at nellis, is this true? I have my 100-400, but was considering renting a 300 2.8 and a 1.4tc. Do you guys think this owuld be better?

Matt

It depends where you are on the crowd line. As I sad above Show center is the best spot.

I went with a 70-200 with a 2x expander but after a few minutes I took the expander off.

I found that the 400 was too close.
Check out the photos in my shutterfly page in the aviation folder.
ALL of the aerial were taken with the 200. Some were taken off site but you should be able to tell the difference just by looking at the backgrounds.