FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A variety of U.S. Air Force jets and popular civilian aerobatic aircraft are poised to perform this weekend during the penultimate American air show of the year.
The Fort Lauderdale Air Show will host Air Combat Command’s premiere four aircraft, including the F-22A Raptor and F-35A Lightning II. The A-10C Warthog and F-16C Viper will also perform flight demonstrations on November 21 and 22.
Air show center has been marked at the great pier located at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Beach. Aircraft will fly off the beachline inside a two-mile-long aerobatic box.
“The Fort Lauderdale Air Show means a lot to the folks of South Florida,” Chris Dirato, Director of Public Relations, said on Tuesday. “It has become an event that everyone looks forward to.”
Airshow officials have worked hard to keep the two-day event safe for guests and beach goers. The show’s Stay Safe Initiatives will follow current CDC guidelines.
“Given the pandemic, I think this year’s show will take on even greater importance in that people are starved for entertainment,” Dirato added. “Of course, we’ll be staging the show in a safe way.”
A few of the safety measures include masks are required when less than six feet from other guests. The addition of more hand-washing and sanitizing stations; and tickets can only be purchased online or by phone. Food and retail concessions will also be cashless, so bring a credit or debit card.
Aerobatic Maneuvers Over the Beachline
The F-35A demonstration team, lead by pilot Capt. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, will help provide the thrust and excitement each afternoon. Despite a shortened air show season due to Covid concerns, this show will be the demo team’s eleventh of the year.
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“We’re excited to be able to bring the future of airpower to South Florida and put on a great show,” Capt. Wolfe said on Thursday. “A huge shoutout goes out to the air show coordinators for all the work that went into making these performances as safe as possible for everyone.”
Fort Lauderdale will mark only the fourth air show this year to feature Air Combat Command’s four aircraft. The F-22A, A-10C, F-16C, and F-35A will perform together during the crowd favorite Heritage Flight.
Also, add the hulking C-17 Globemaster III to the Air Force’s performers list. Based in Washington state, the cargo and troop carrier’s crew will demonstrate its flying style and rapid landing ability.
Civilian Aerobatic pilot Mike Wiskus is also scheduled to perform. The air show will stream live both days.
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The six historic warbirds of the GEICO Skytypers will also perform over the warm Atlantic waters. Their World War II-era SNJ-2s are scheduled to demonstrate dogfighting maneuvers and close formation flying.
“We always get such a warm welcome from the people in Florida when we begin and end our season there,” GEICO Skytypers lead pilot Larry Arken told AvGeekery on Wednesday. “South Florida remains one of our favorites working along the beaches and seeing all the people that come out to watch us perform it’s quite exhilarating.”
Their pilots and aircraft maintainers love to perform across the Sunshine State. Two of their aircraft are also scheduled to race the Miss GEICO speed boat before the crowds.
(Charles A Atkeison reports on aerospace and technology. Follow his updates via social media @Military_Flight.)