The Wandering Disciple

A WC-130J Hercules “Hurricane Hunter” sits on static display at the 2012 Florida International Airshow. A fleet of ten Hurricane Hunter planes help support the National Hurricane Center in gathering information to help forecast tropical systems. The USAF Hurricane Hunters are operated by the US Air Force Reserve’s 53d Weather Reconnaissance Squadron based at Kessler Air Force Base in Mississippi. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

The Black Diamond Jet Team flies high over the crowd during the 2012 Florida International Air Show. The Lakeland based team is one of few civilian jet demonstration teams. The team consists of five L-39 Albatros and two Russian Mig-17. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

The F/A-18 Hornet does a touch and go during a performance at the 2012 Florida International Air Show at the Charlotte County Airport. The F/A-18 Hornet is a multi-role fighter jet used by the US Navy. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Team RV performs at the 2012 Florida International Air Show. With twelve aircraft on their team, Team RV is the largest performing air show act. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

The runway at Charlotte County Airport was set ablaze on Sunday afternoon during an air and land speed showdown took place the 2012 Florida International Airshow. Gary Ward took to the skies in his MX2 aircraft to race Jerry McCart in the Wicked Willy Jet Car. (Photo: March 25, 2012)

Punta Gorda, Florida: The skies over Charlotte County came alive this weekend with the sights and sounds of the 32nd annual Florida International Air Show at the Charlotte County Airport. The show featured aerial acts that spanned several generations from World War II era to modern day fighters as well as acrobatic planes. This year’s event was headlined by two jet performance teams; The Navy’s Blue Angels and the Black Diamond civilian jet team. The third headline act was the largest air show team; Team RV. But that was just the beginning; there were many more aerial and static displays to entertain the crowd. Over 50,000 people packed to the event each day to enjoy the show. All of the guests were treated to a spectacular show with the proceeded benefiting local charities.  We decided to attend Sunday’s show. Mother Nature made us a little worried on Saturday as it looked like Sunday might be a wash-out. But miraculously, the rain cleared just prior to the start o...

Punta Gorda, Florida: Located in Eastern Charlotte County, the Charlotte County Airport is the gateway to Charlotte County. The hometown airport is home primarily home to general aviation traffic but has seen a steady increase in commercial traffic over the past few years. The airport operates three active runways. Runway 4/22 is the longest runway on the property and is used as the primary runway for commercial traffic. Runway 15/33 is the primary runway for general aviation. Runway 9/27 is the shortest runway at the airport. These three runways saw 74,854 flights in 2010 according to an FAA report. The airport began its life in the 1940’s as the Punta Gorda Army Air Field. The base was home to a fleet of P-40 Warhawks, P-51 Mustangs and C-45 and C-47 transports. The base was a training center for combat field ops during World War II. During the height of its war efforts, over 1,000 soldiers were assigned to the base. When the war was over, the military decommissioned the ba...