photo by Shinji
When you came to Japan, what sort of transportation did you use? Japan is an island nation, so most of you must have flown in. If you are a frequent flyer, you must be familiar with seeing passenger aircrafts. But there must be very few who are used to see battle planes. Fighters flying as if slashing the blue sky with roar are the admiration of all aircraft fans. Well, what if you can see loads of static displays or even flight exhibitions of fighter planes at Air Festival of Japan Air Self-Defense Force?
About JASDF Air Festival
Every year, Japan Air Self-Defense Force occasionally opens up main air bases to the public for the purpose of encouraging people’s understanding of JASDF. At JASDF Air Festival of each air base, an opening flight exhibition starts soon after the gate opens followed by demonstrations of life-saving service, anti-aircraft firing, flight exhibitions of fighter aircrafts and more. There also are static displays of fighter planes which are the same models as aircrafts used in flight exhibitions. Visitors are allowed to take photos of military equipment, and some of aircrafts are open to view inside. Air Festival is highlighted by flight exhibition of Blue Impulse, the aerobatics team of JASDF, performed in the afternoon. Stunning performance by Blue Impulse is guaranteed to have visitor’s eyes glued to the sky.
Aerobatics by Blue Impulse
Stunning flight performances of Blue Impulse. Under the internal rules of JASDF, only Blue Impulse is allowed to perform aerobatics that includes tuning over, sideway turning and rolling. This section will introduce some of the major arts performed by Blue Impulse.
Diamond Take-off
photo by Shinji
One of the most well-known formations. Four planes fly in the diamond formation. The preciseness in every angle and distance is must-see.
Low Angle Cuban Take-off and Roll on Take-off
Two fighters take off in different angles. One shoots up in extreme angle and rolls down while the other makes a transition from moderate-angled take off to rapid uplift then rolling down.
Vertical Climb Roll
Rapid rolling uplift drawing a spiral of smoke.
Star Cross
photo by PooWho
5 fighters draws straight lines with smoke to complete a star in the sky.
Cork Screw
One fighter draws a straight line with smoke while the other circles around it making a spiral of smoke.
Check JASDF website for Air Show schedule
Annual schedule of JASDF Air Show can be checked on their website. The list of Air Show is released at the beginning of a year and detailed information of each event is posted a little before the scheduled date.
Coming up next, Chitose Air Base
Air Show will be held at Chitose Air Base on Sunday, 23rd July 2017 in commemoration of 60th year since opening of the base.
Date: Sunday, 23rd July 2017 9:00～15:00 ※Free entry
Venue: Chitose Air Base
Access: 10 minutes from Chitose Air Base temporary bus stop (5 minutes-walk from JR Minami Chitose staion) by shuttle bus, or 20 minutes from Kirin Beer Chitose Factory by shuttle bus (Fees apply)
Inquiry: JASDF Chitose Air Base PR TEL: 0123-23-3101
2017 Air Show schedule: August – December
The following Air Show are coming up later in this year. Detailed schedule will be noticed on JASDF website.
Sunday, 27 August: Matsushima Air Base (Miyagi prefecture)
Saturday, 10 September: Misawa Air Base (Aomori prefecture)
Friday, 3 November: Iruma Air Base (Saitama prefecture)
Sunday, 19 November: Gihu Air Base (Gifu prefecture)
Sunday, 26 November: Tsuiki Air Base (Fukuoka prefecture)
Sunday, 3 December: Nyutabaru Air Base (Miyazaki Air Base)
Saturday & Sunday, 9&10 December: Naha Air Base (Okinawa prefecture)
※Blue Impulse will perform at all events except for Okinawa
Tips to watch JASDF Air Show
- It is recommended to access a base by public transports on the day. Each base has visitor’s parking space for those who applied in advance by replied pay postcard, but a huge traffic congestion is expected in the parking lot and also on the main roads around the base. Note that it is normal to take a few hours just to get out of the parking space after the show.
- Items such as dangerous substances, alcohol, stepladders, tents, chairs, drones are prohibited in an air base.
- No smoking is allowed in an air base except for smoking area.
- Follow the instructions from air base staff.
- Wearing casual outfits and comfortable shoes is recommended as you are expected to walk around within a vast site in a crowd.
Take my breath away…
JASDF Air Festival is a great chance to see not just displays of fighter planes, but actual flight of them or even battle demonstrations which can hardly be seen in daily life. There are 10 air bases that hold annual Air Festival which are extremely popular. Among all events held during Air Festival, aerobatics performed by Blue Impulse is the best highlight of all. Believe me, it is the-must-see.
