Daredevil flyers will take to the skies during the Catalina Air Show.
Catalina Island’s connection to aviation stretches back more than a century to when the first amphibious landing took place in Avalon Bay in 1912. Since that time, aviation played a crucial role in Catalina Island’s development as a tourist destination. Passenger service to the island was introduced in 1919 and continued to be way thousands of visitors arrived on the island for decades. Today, Catalina Flying Boats and Island Express continue the commercial aviation tradition on the island. Although they don’t carry passengers, as Catalina Island’s freight forwarder Catalina Flying Boats serves an essential role on the island, bringing freight to the island each day aboard their historic DC-3. Island Express brings thousands of passengers a year to Catalina in their fleet of helicopters.
Santa Catalina’s aviation history also comes to life each fall at the Scheyden Catalina Air Show. Featuring heart-stopping acrobatics, skydivers and awe-inspiring pilots, the air show provides hours of thrills. The airspace above Avalon Canyon and the clear blue sky above the waters off Avalon Harbor provide the perfect stage for these daredevils and great viewing can be had all along the Avalon waterfront.
The Scheyden Catalina Air Show will be held on Oct. 4. VIP packages are available, including a performers’ dinner Friday night.