Year Anniversary Of Naval Aviation Celebrated This Weekend in San Diego
It is natural for the year of Naval Aviation events around the US to start right here in San Diego. It was 100 years ago that the first successful hydroplane flight by Glenn H. Curtiss in San Diego bay showed the world that aviation could go to sea and North Island ( most westerly tip of Coronado Island) is the birthplace of all Naval Aviation. I wish I had more photos to share with you but this weekend at 1:00 PM on Saturday, a parade of nearly 200 aircraft from all the various eras of naval aviation will take to the sky and create a flyover parade that will be the first of it's kind. This is an historic event whose proportions will excite all who witness it. I fully intend to be ready. I have my spot picked out, will have my camera, tripod and telephoto lens to capture as much as I possibly can. Naturally the first place I will share this will be right here on ActiveRain.
I can't remember an event scheduled for San Diego that has me so excited that I have already shared this with many friends and clients to join me.
If you can make it for the exciting event, here are some recommended viewing sites.
The events through this Centennial celebration will be amazing. There will be a Center stage where various planes will show their stuff and it will be in the Bay between Harbor Island Park and the North Island Naval Air Station. There will also be a 250 seat temporary grandstand between the Navy Pier just a bit to the north of the pubic pier at the Embarcadero.
North Island Naval Air Station on Coronado of course will be Open to the Public ( opens at 8:00 an and it to fill up rapidly) and viewing from this vantage point will be the closet point to the action.
Several Spectator boats will also be set in in the Bay.
The setting along the Embarcadero Marina Park will be a good viewing site but perhaps not as good for taking photos because of the way the Sun positions westerly of this area.
One other very good possibility though not as close to the action would be along the eastern section of the National Cemetery and the National Monument park on the southern point of Point Loma
I have been talking about this to nearly everyone I come in contact with and the crowds expected will be quite large all around the Bay, Point Loma and Shelter and Harbor Island( where I will be).
This is Centennial Celebration is expected to be the Mother of all events this year in San Diego and there will be a number of planes putting on demonstrations over the Center stage area. The Navy is bringing the party to San Diego and along with them will important personages as well as the the first makeshift aircraft carrier that will be in the Bay.
List of the Naval Aviation Centennial Events All Around the US. Follow this link to see what events may be near you.
