New Jersey Airshows

Atlantic City

In 1910, manned and fully controlled flight in an aircraft heavier-than-air was a relatively new concept. The first flight, an undertaking of the Wright Brothers, occurred only seven years earlier. Most Americans had never witnessed man fly, let alone seen an airplane. When the Aero Club of Atlantic City announced its intention to host an airshow, the city was transformed from a site once prescribed for rehabilitation and respite to a place consumed with unbridled fervor for one thing: flight.

From July 4th – July 12th, Atlantic City hosted one of the largest airshows of 1910. Organized by the Aero Club of Atlantic City to draw tourists to the renowned summer resort, the airshow was underwritten by both commercial and private donors who fundraised nearly $26,000 for the event – an amount equivalent to $591,209 in today’s dollars. The Aero Club offered two $5,000 awards. One prize was allocated to the pilot who succeeded in breaking the world record for altitude in flight, and the second award was offered to whoever set the record for speed over a 50-mile course. Aviators such as Glenn Curtiss, Walter Brookins, Charles Hamilton, Clifford Harmon, Frank Coffyn and J.A.D McCurdy flocked to Atlantic City in order to compete for these prizes.

The airshow was held beachside between the Ocean Pier at Tennessee Avenue and the Million Dollar Pier at Arkansas Avenue. It was estimated that more than 100,000 spectators watched the events. Crowds were sometimes so dense that bodies filled the space between the Boardwalk and the ocean, allowing only a narrow runway for planes to land and take-off. While exact flight times were not designated – flying the aircraft was contingent upon factors such as opportune weather and wind conditions – the flights were announced, half an hour in advance, by cannon shots set off at the ends of the piers. Patterned flags were raised to signal the events, who was flying and what records were being attempted.

Perhaps the two most anticipated aviators of the Atlantic City Aero Meet were Glenn Curtiss and Walter Brookins. Glenn Curtiss, a seasoned aviator in his mid-30s, flew a self-engineered biplane. The aircraft had one propeller driven by a 50-horsepower engine, and it rolled on wheels. Walter Brookins, in his early twenties, was a rash and daring flier. A representative and pupil of the Wright Brothers, Brookins piloted a Wright Brothers’ wheel-less biplane. The aircraft had a 40-foot wingspan, carried two propellers turned by a 30-horsepower motor and took off by skidding along an iron monorail.

A number of significant events in aviation history transpired at the Atlantic City Aero Meet. On July 5, 1910, Curtiss made an eight-and-a-half minute flight, one-half mile out over the water. It is believed that this demonstration was the first flight ever made above the Atlantic Ocean. Four days later, Walter Brookins – with a Richards barograph attached to his Wright biplane – broke the world record for flight altitude. He soared to a height of 6,175 feet in an extremely dangerous flight. As Brookins reached 6,175 feet, his fuel ran out. He was forced to glide his aircraft to the ground below, relying solely upon his wits, the wind and the stability of his plane in order to land safely. In addition to Brookins’ heroic flight, Glenn Curtiss broke the world record for speed on a 50-mile flight. Curtiss also provided a visual enactment of what could be accomplished by the use of airplanes in wartime. Substituting oranges for bombs and yachts for warships, Curtiss waged a “war” against Atlantic City, and proved that one is able to hit a static target from a moving aircraft.

Asbury Park

Following the excitement of the Atlantic City Aero Meet, Asbury Park hosted its own airshow. Although they were organized and presented by the City of Asbury Park, the airshow events took place on an airfield in Interlaken, New Jersey. The ten day festival, spanning August 10th to August 20th, featured aviators such as Walter Brookins, Clifford Harmon, Duval La Chapelle, Fred Owens, Johnny Mack, Ralph Johnstone and Arch Hoxsey. In addition to the aviators, celebrities such as Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison and the governor of New Jersey, John Franklin Fort, attended. Catering to a variety of aeronautical interests, Asbury Park expanded its program beyond airplanes to include rigid balloons, free-balloons and parachute jump expositions.

While the Asbury Park Airshow was the site of a number of dramatic feats in aviation, these accomplishments were mixed with tragic events. During the first exhibition flight on the first day, Walter Brookins lost control of his aircraft. He crashed into a crowd and injured seven spectators. Brookins was also severely injured, breaking his nose and several teeth. He was grounded for most of the airshow while he healed. This marked the first time in America in which an airplane crashed and wounded airshow spectators. Nonetheless, ticket sales increased and the airshow continued. Two days after Brookins’ accident, misfortune once again fell upon the Asbury Park Airshow. The 12th of August marked the Governor’s Day celebration and the death of parachutist, Benjamin Prinz. From a height of 6,000 feet, Benjamin Prinz jumped out of Johnnie Mack’s air balloon. Prinz’s parachute failed to open, and he died upon impact when he landed in an apple tree on George C. Conover’s property.

August 13th – August 16th, the airshow events proceeded without incident. Ralph Johnstone performed a number of aeronautic exhibitions including a flight on the 13th wherein he flew for 35 minutes, over the Atlantic Ocean, at heights continuously above 5,000 feet. On August 18th, however, Johnstone crashed his plane into a spectator’s automobile. To his luck, Johnstone survived unscathed. In addition to the presentations in the air, aviation history took place on the ground as well. The Wright Brothers, in order to replace the aircraft that Brookins wrecked, unveiled a new airplane model on August 15th. This new aircraft was dramatically different in its design. It included room for more passengers and was engineered to travel greater distances.

On the last night of the Asbury Park Airshow, August 19th, Ralph Johnstone and Arch Hoxsey contributed to the historic aviation achievements set at the Asbury Park Airshow. Soaring through the dark sky, illuminated only by the moon, stars and a few small lights attached to their planes, Johnstone and Hoxsey showcased the first public, nighttime flight. Flying Wright Brothers aircraft, the two men soared over Asbury Park and Interlaken, New Jersey.

Asbury Park has not hosted an airshow since 1910.

OTHER NEW JERSEY AIRSHOWS
A number of locations in New Jersey – including Millville, Ocean City, Pomona, Sussex,West Milford and the Maguire Air Force Base – have held air meets in the last 100 years.

POMONA

The TransFair was first held from August 17-22, 1977 at the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center (NAFEC) – now named the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center – in Pomona, NJ. Though a variety of forms of transportation are displayed, aircraft were the highlighted exhibit and 100,000 visitors attend. the second TransFair took place in 1978 at the Technical Center in Pomona, NJ drawing 100,000 spectators.

From September 15 to September 16, 1990 the Atlantic Community College Foundation sponsored an airshow at the Atlantic City International Airport in Pomona, NJ in order to raise funds for the Community College's Center for Aviation Studies program. The program attracted 55,000 aviation enthusiasts.

From July 18 to July 19, 1992, an airshow is held at the Atlantic City International Airport. Although called the Atlantic City Air Show, events take place in Pomona, NJ. Demonstration teams include the United States Army Golden Knights, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, Frecce Tricolori, Team America, along with solo performers including acrobatic fliers and wing walkers.

MILLVILLE
In 1993, the Millville Airport hosted its first Wheels and Wings Airshow with 2,500 people in attendance. The most recent show, called Wheels and Warbirds, was in October 2009.

ATLANTIC CITY AIRSHOW: THUNDER OVER THE BOARDWALK
Atlantic City did not see another air meet until 93 years later. On August 27, 2003, the airshow returned to Atlantic City with demonstrations by teams including the United States Army Golden Knights, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, the New Jersey Air National Guard and the United States Coast Guard. The airshow, held over the ocean and beaches, was a sweeping success with more than 200,000 visitors watching the aerial performances. Atlantic City has continued this event annually and attendance grows each year.

The 2010 Atlantic City Airshow promises to be a remarkable event. Along with appearances by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Air National Guard and civilian acts, this year's lineup will be headlined with by U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. Additionally, U.S. Marine Harrier Jet and U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet flights are expected.

In celebration of the centennial anniversaries, the Atlantic City Free Public Library and the Asbury Park Public Library invite you to reawaken and experience this history via our Virtual Exhibit and through our exhibitions held at the Atlantic City International Airport, the Atlantic City Historical Museum on Garden Pier and at the Township of Ocean Historical Museum.