The 2020 Yuma Aeromodelers Airshow

Cadets return to Yuma Aeromodelers Airshow

The 2020 version of the Yuma Aeromodelers Airshow got off to a damp start on Saturday morning, February 22. A cold front was passing through the area just a couple of hours before the show was scheduled to begin. It was still dry when cadets arrived at the hangar at 0730 to load the van with gear they would need to help with parking and to provide the color guard for the event. The cadets have been a welcomed support for the airshow for a number of years now. The Yuma Aeromodelers have responded in kind by allowing CAP Squadron 508 to use Contreras Field for their spring rocket launches.

Cadets unloaded our van and set up tables after we arrived at the field. No sooner did we spread out in pairs to help with parking than the sky started spitting at us with cold water droplets.

It did not take long for puddles and mud to develop making the duty somewhat treacherous. Besides, very few spectators were arriving at that point compared to years past. Wet uniforms and a cool breeze from the south drove the cadets to take shelter under the corrugated iron-roofed structure at midfield. That’s where all the performers were congregating also.

Cellphones with weather apps were checking out weather radar sites to study the prospects for carrying on with the show. The quick-moving storm was moving off to the northeast so event organizers decided to go on with the show. The cadet color guard was called to duty to start off the event with presentation of colors and the traditional playing of both US and Canadian national anthems.

The cadets did a wonderful, professional job under difficult conditions.

There were few new arrivals and the parking lot was a mess so our cadets suspended parking assistance activities as they tried to dry out. Shortly, the sun came out and everyone felt cheerier. We stayed around to watch some of the early performances that included jet planes and a twin WWII fighter replica. Several cadets had other activities planned for the day and our numbers dropped by attrition. After a couple of more hours we loaded the van and returned to hangar hoping for better weather conditions next year.