WATCH: Airshow Wows Crowd, Hear ‘Slot’ Pilot of U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Talk About His Job

See the Larsen Motorsports Florida Institute of Technology Jet Dragster fire up

SPACE COAST DAILY TV: With the air show in town at Orlando Melbourne International Airport, speed is the name of the game in Brevard County. See the Larsen Motorsports Florida Institute of Technology Jet Dragster fire up, hear from the “slot” pilot of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and listen to Larsen Motorsports driver and 20-year old Florida Tech Senior, Kathryn “Kat” Redner.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds officially kicked off their 2018 show season at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport Saturday, bringing their breathtaking precision aerial maneuvers to the action-packed, high-flying Melbourne Air & Space Show, which continues Sunday.

Sponsored by Northrop Grumman, this year marks the fifth anniversary of the Melbourne Air & Space Show at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport.

Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. The airport entrance is at 1 Air Terminal Parkway in Melbourne.

The airshow features several exhibits of aeronautical brilliance in the skies overhead, as well as awesome displays on the tarmac. More than 30 aircraft from different eras in aviation history will be parked for up-close inspection by those in attendance.

“The Melbourne Air and Space Show is a spectacular, must-see event, with dramatic, jaw-dropping performances in the air and a mixture of intriguing aircraft exhibits and family entertainment activities on the ground,” said Eric Garvey, Executive Director of Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism.

“Its pioneering spirit shows once again why this area is known as the Space Coast. It’s become another regional tradition that continues to draw wider audiences each year.”

In their return to the Melbourne Air & Space Show, the Thunderbirds will showcase the capabilities of their high-performance aircraft – the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet – and the professional skill required to fly these sophisticated machines.

Their hour-long aerial demonstration, which includes approximately 40 maneuvers, covers both formation flying and solo routines.

Each year, the airshow comes up with new aerial performances, and the 2018 event is no different. This edition of the Melbourne Air & Space Show will feature a P-51 Mustang demonstration by celebrated pilot Scott “Scooter” Yoak, in his renowned Quick Sliver aircraft.

Also on tap for the Melbourne Air & Space Show at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport are appearances by the United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team (also known as the Para-Commandos) and the famous “Panchito” B-25 bomber, which served as a military workhorse in every theater of World War II.

The airshow will feature additional exhibits, simulators, a kids’ zone and more.

The viewing area for the air show overhead and the static aircraft displays below covers more than 17 acres on the north side of the Melbourne airfield.

For more information, including the up-to-date airshow schedule and ticket information, visit www.airandspaceshow.com

CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS

Similar Stories