For the first time in more than 20 years, the Cayman Islands Air Show is returning, complete with vintage aircraft, aerial displays and parachutists.
In the past, the air show has attracted scores of small aircraft enthusiasts from the US, many flying here as part of the ‘Cayman Caravan’, a convoy of planes that departed from Key West, flying in groups of four.
As seen from the above photograph, featured on the front page of the Caymanian Compass in June 2002, the last year the air show was held, Owen Roberts International Airport was packed full of small planes for the event.
Among the vintage aircraft that will feature in the show are World War II-era planes C-47 Tico Belle and Beechcraft Staggerwing, as well as an early airliner PBY Catalina. There will also be displays by the Red Bull Air Force’s precision parachute team; US skydivers Team Fastrax; Kirby Chambliss, five-time US national aerobatics champion; Brazilian QYON AeroSports Team; and Skip Stewart’s Prometheus Pitts Display, among others.
The air show marks the 70th anniversary of the landing of the first commercial plane at Owen Roberts International Airport.
The show had originally been scheduled to be held on the weekend of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee but was postponed due to inclement weather.
Parking for events
Organisers say there will be no parking access by Public Beach for spectators of the air show. Parking will be available at the old KAABOO site, with access to public beach via the walking path in front of the Kimpton Seafire.
There is also no parking access by the Island Air Hangar for the exhibition Saturday afternoon. Parking will be available in the site across from the Foster’s Distribution Centre (next to Uncle Clem’s) and shuttle buses will be provided to take attendees to the hangar.
For both the aerial display and the aircraft exhibition, there will be a park and ride option from Camana Bay.
On Sunday, 4 Dec., residents and visitors on Cayman Brac will also be treated to a flying display and aircraft exhibit, from 12.30pm to 2pm at the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport.
Restrictions on boating and drones
In the run-up and during the aerial displays, there will be temporary restrictions on boating in the area of Seven Mile Beach.
Organisers say a temporary maritime restricted zone will be implemented on Friday and Saturday, 2 and 3 Dec. between 9am and 2pm each day.
This means that no vessel of any type is permitted within the restricted zone.
All beach activity is permitted, however.
The restricted zone will be a 1.2-mile-long area between the Heritage Club to the north of Public Beach and the beach area just north of Government House, and will extend for half-a-mile from the shore.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands is also advising the public that there will be temporary restrictions on drones during the Cayman Islands Air Show in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Director-General Richard Smith of the Civil Aviation Authority has restricted the airspace surrounding the event in accordance with the provisions of the Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order 2013.
The flight of all aircraft, including drones, will be prohibited within three nautical miles of the air show, offshore at Seven Mile Public Beach, from the ground to 8,000 feet above mean sea level. This restriction will be in place from 7am to 5pm on Friday and Saturday, 2 and 3 Dec.
On Cayman Brac, from 11am to 2pm on Sunday, 4 Dec., a similar restriction will be in place at the Charles Kirkconnell International Airport.
The restriction applies to both approved commercial drone operators and recreational enthusiasts, unless specifically approved for this event by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Organisers said drone-detection systems will be deployed to protect the air show airspace and the Civil Aviation Authority is collaborating with the RCIPS to ensure that the restricted airspace is appropriately policed.
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