Flabob Flying Circus

No Barnstorming
But Plenty Of Antique Airplanes

In 2020, the COVID pandemic cancelled most air shows. Some, like Oshkosh, held virtual events. Some aviation museums are starting to reopen slowly. Hopefully people are busy in hangars restoring antique airplanes and readying them for when we can all get out and travel again.

It's no fun to be grounded when you want to fly and explore.

We have had a personal setback too, with some health issues slowing us down.  We don't have the time to check on which venues are still viable and which are things of the past.

So... Post COVID our advice is to check with each air show or museum to see if they are open and operating.  Stay safe.

The Flabob Flying Circus recalls the early days of aviation.  Flying circuses… barnstorming... 

Those early air shows demonstrated planes with feats of daring intended to thrill audiences.


There is no dare devil flying at Flabob today, but there are plenty of planes to see.

The Flabob Airport is historic in its own right. 

...It is the seventh oldest surviving airport in California… founded  in 1925. 

...It was the first civil airport in Riverside, California.


This little fly-in has come and gone a couple of times, so you'll have to check to see if they are going to have it again by looking them up.  Their website is down (again) as we write this.

Flabob Flying Circus Means Old Planes

With both a grass strip and a paved runway, you'll see all kinds of planes.  How about a Curtiss Jenny?  Everybody holds their breath as she gets off the ground...

Crew watches as Curtiss Jennny takes flight at Flabob

With the winds calm, fly she does.

Curtiss JN4C Jenny in flight
EAA Chapter 1 is at Flabob Airport


EAA Chapter 1

The story goes that shortly after the EAA was founded by Paul Poberezney, early aircraft designer Ray Stits was asked to join. 

Milwaukee was a bit far from California… especially then...

...So a chapter of the fledgling Experimental Aircraft Association was formed in Riverside, California. 

The EAA Chapter 1 is still active at Flabob today.


The First Annual Flabob Flying Circus

The first annual flying circus was in 2012… As we said at the start… there was no barnstorming here.  No aerobatics either.  This is basically billed as a fly-in… a time to share the love of aviation.

Planes were flown from earliest to later models… late being a relative term of course.  The planes simply flew an oval pattern around the airport… but it was all fun.  They call it an Aerial Cavalcade… or History In the Air.  The progression is a fun demonstration of the progress of aviation.

As it turned out, the Flying Circus hasn’t been an annual event.  It was postponed in 2015 and the date was changed from September to June.  It is scheduled again June 6, 2015.


The Planes, The Planes

Wandering The Flight Line

Before the planes start flying, you can wander the flight line and check out the antique and vintage aircraft. 

There are early antiques and replicas of early Racers from the 1930s.  There are Classics and post WWII. 

Some are originals, and some are reproductions.  Clicking on any of these pictures will enlarge them and start a slide show.  Enjoy.

Curtiss JN4C  "Jenny"
Piper J3 Cub and Stearman
Replica 1930s Air Racers
WACO UPF-7 and Travel Aire 4-D (1929)
Curtiss-Wright Travel Aire 4000
Stinson SM-1 Detroiter 1927
WACO YKS-7  “Signal Hill” from 1937
Beech D17S - Staggerwing

Peek Into Hangars

If hangars are open, peek in.  Ask if you can look around.  You may find a project in progress...

Travel Aire when it was a project at AeroCraftsman

But Really, You Want To See Them Fly

Fokker DR1
Travel Aire 4-D in flight
Buhl LA-1 Pup (1931)
Beechcraft D18S (1946 ) - Twin Beech

Landing On Grass or Tarmac - Pilot's Choice

Meyers 200B (1959) landing on grass
Flabob Express - Douglas DC-3  landing on grass

Getting To Flabob Airport

As we said above... check to see if and when this is on.  You can fly in, of course.  You can also drive.  The airport is in Riverside, California.

4130 Mennes Ave
Riverside, CA 92509

Admission is free.  Parking will cost you $5.00.

Check to see if they have a website up.  Flabob Airport has an interesting little website.  Learn about their history there.

This is a fun fly-in when it happens.  If you're in Southern California when it's on, the drive will be worth it.

We’re hoping this showcase of the golden age of aviation continues in the future.

Find 'em, See 'em, Fly,'em! And have a great flight!
Judy and Mark

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