“Best drive-in I’ve ever been to!” 

Those were the words of Beccy Whyte, a VIP attendee at the 2020 Wings Over Houston Airshow that was held the weekend of Oct. 10 at Ellington Airport, EFD. 

Wings Over Houston converted to a drive-in format for spectators as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to limit attendance at events, performances and shows. The annual event was in a short limbo while City officials discussed and agreed upon a modified format which included no static aircraft on display.  

Upon arrival, every spectator had to answer several health screening questions upon arrival. To maintain space between others, spectators were permitted to set chairs and tables only on one side of their vehicle. Some spectators viewed the “parade in the sky” from atop their vehicles while others stood in front of their vehicles. Regardless of the viewing angle, the results were the same. 

Spectacular. 

Among the show highlights were the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demo, marking the first time that all the Air Combat Command, ACC, single-ship demonstration teams were flying in the same show in the United States. The F-35A Lightning II, the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter, features incredible aerodynamic performance and next-generation stealth capabilities. Joining them from Air Combat Command, and flying full demonstrations, were the A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo, F-16 Viper Demo and F-22 Raptor Demo. Adding a “heavy” to the demonstration list, the C-17 Globemaster out of Washington state came and wowed the audience with its impressive performance.  

Weather conditions forced the cancellation of scheduled performance on Friday, but Saturday saw the fruition of detailed and extensive planning, according to Wings Over Houston Director Bill Roach. Roach has led the airshow for 16 years after serving as Chairman of its Board of Directors for 10 years prior to that. 

 “We’re honored to be able to do it, make it happen and not break the continuity of entertaining our fans,” Roach said. 

Arturo Machuca, General Manager at EFD and the Houston Spaceport, was thrilled to have Wings Over Houston return and offer joy and excitement in the midst of difficult times. Because of the pandemic, attendees were allowed to bring their own food and drinks.   

“Our association with Wings Over Houston goes back to its inception in 1984, and I cannot over-emphasize the organization’s importance to the community,” Machuca said. “Wings Over Houston serves the region through its contributions to scholarships, many local and national charities, nonprofit organizations, and military recruiting efforts. We count ourselves so fortunate to be able to partner with them, and this year it was especially gratifying to see people come out and receive some enjoyment in their day.” 

Beccy Whyte wholeheartedly concurred. She and her friends were among the many satisfied attendees in a crowd estimated at about 1,400 vehicles per day for the two days. 

“I loved it,” Whyte said. “Even when things return to a semblance of ‘normalcy, I’d love to see them continue to do it this way. This drive-in was okay by me!” 

One of the top air shows in the country, the Wings Over Houston Airshow showcases the thrills of modern aviation and supports a variety of local and national charities.