The Air Force's aerial demonstration outfit, no stranger to air shows, returns to Jones Beach on Memorial Day weekend for the annual air show. The USAF Thunderbirds will headline the two-day event that draws nearly half a million people each year.
Showgoers are advised to arrive before 1 p.m. for the best parking spots. The air show draws the second-largest Jones Beach crowd after the Fourth of July fireworks, said New York State Parks spokesman George Gorman Jr. In 2007, 198,000 people showed up on Saturday and 203,000 on Sunday, Gorman said. However, with "minimal traffic problems" then, Gorman expects no major traffic snarls this time around.
This year's show also features the U.S. Army Golden Knights skydiving team, the New York Air National Guard-HC-130/HH60 Rescue Demo, Air Force A-10 East Demo Team, the Air National Guard Aerobatic Team and the Canadian Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron). Civilian performers include stunt pilot Sean D. Tucker and the American Airpower Museum Warbirds.
The Thunderbirds are being based out of Republic and you can see them on the ramp at the main terminal.
Practices are Thursday from 12:30PM-2:00PM, probaly just the Thunderbirds. The Friday practice from 9:00AM-2:00PM is scheduled to be a full show run through minus the Thunderbirds at this time.
I guess I'm a little biased watching the Blue Angels practice every Tuesday and Wednesday morning, but the Thunderbirds are pretty good as well. Hopefully the weather will hold up for a good show.
Watched them at Republic today. Got a nice place to see everything up close by the main terminal. Really cool, seeing everything upclose. Only wish I remembered my earplugs, bc its been almost 12hrs and my ears are still literally ringing non-stop.
Saw the Canadian Snowbirds, 2 A-10's, 2 Super Hornets, and I believe a old mustang, among other aircraft. Tucker was practicing all day in his red plane.
* Tip for people who are going to republic, the main terminal by the 56th fighter group restraunt has the ThunderBirds on display there.
The other aircraft can be seen from the Air Museum parkinglot. And again, I say sunscreen, and most importantly EARPlugs.
I guess I'm a little biased watching the Blue Angels practice every Tuesday and Wednesday morning, but the Thunderbirds are pretty good as well. Hopefully the weather will hold up for a good show.
i gotta agree with you on this as the son of a former Blue Angels Mechanic
Watched most of the practice today and it is going to be an awesome show. Saw the F18, P51s, Sean Tucker and the Thunderbirds. They were all incredible. If you go, make sure to be within ear shot of the PA system or bring a portable radio, the show is narrated and choreographed to music (I think it is simulcast on 1100am, but don't quote me). At times they also had the pilots talking going over the PA. An incredible show.
Show Was Good, Stayed Out On The Ocean Parkway And Watched Cause I Had To Be In At Work At 4, Never Went To The Beach For The Festivities. Very Loud And Was Good. Amazing The Maneuvers They Did. The Helicopters, Sky Divers, Everything In General
Show on Sunday was delayed because of HEAVY fog...i got there around 830, and it was beautiful. Golden Knights jumped with the flags and did their demonstration, and right after that is when the fog rolled in. Finally around 1pm it started to clear up, and by 130 they had planes in the air. Was absolutely worth the wait. The stunt helicopter was INSANE, the stunt planes were impressive as always, the FA-18 super hornet got on the cusp of a sonic boom at almost 1000mph(
), and while im a big Blue Angels fan, the Thunderbirds i thought put on one of the best shows i have seen them do in a while. Show ended at about 330, as a couple of acts got cut. Was absolutely worth the wait and the sunburn tho lol Great job to everyon in charge of this, and kudos on having the patience for the fog to clear and finally getting some planes in the air
2009 Jones Beach Air Show
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