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Aviation Nation app innovates interactive Nellis air show

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Byrnes
  • 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

Nellis Air Force Base is proud to present the Southern Nevada community "75 Years of Airpower" with an air show and open house, Nov. 12 and 13.

Attendees will get to experience exciting aerial acts, an array of static displays from both past and present, and have the chance to interact with the Airmen who carry out the Nellis, Creech and Nevada Test and Training Range mission. 

Attendees of the air show will also be able to download the Aviation Nation app on their smart phone or tablet to enhance the viewers experience while enjoying the show.

“It’s an electronic brochure that puts all the Aviation Nation details right in your pocket, and then some,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Morris, 99th Communications Squadron base content manager and app developer.  “From show times to vendors and exhibits, the app has everything you need for air show information dominance.”

This will be the first year Nellis AFB will have an app available for download specifically for the air show.

“While it’s not the first time an app has been created for any air show, the Aviation Nation app is certainly the most sophisticated,” said Morris. “It has a play-by-play layout of all the show center stage performances. It has information on all participating aircraft, including where to find each one. It also has a method for purchasing premium seating tickets.”

Additionally, the app has several features and provides up to date information encompassing what is going on during the air show with the ease of it being on a smart phone or tablet.

“It will allow our guests to keep up with the latest information, changes in schedule and alerts to important events that will impact them (i.e. any real time emergency or up to date traffic information),” said Bob Jones, air show director. “They will also be able to find aircraft and learn about them even before coming to the air show.”

While the app is a useful source of information prior to attending Aviation Nation, once at the show the app serves as a valuable tool to navigate the air show.

“There are several menu options for guest to find out what there is to eat and at what price, locate the various attractions,” said Jones. “One feature includes the use of Bluetooth beacons that when you approach say for example an aircraft it will "ping you" and tell you everything about the aircraft’s capabilities, mission and offer a video with the aircraft in action.

“All in all, the phone app will help our guest have a better experience, learn more about their community and their Air Force,” said Jones.

The app can be found in the iTunes and Google Play stores by following the links directly: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nellis.aviationnation; https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/aviation-nation/id1166270985 or by scanning the QR code.