Stepping Out

High fliers at the Bethpage Air Show

Acrobats of the air take to the skies over Memorial Day Weekend

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The welcome arrival of Memorial Day on Monday is sure to be enthusiastically greeted by everyone. And the unofficial kickoff to summer fun often starts with a trip to Jones Beach to watch some of those high flying aerial maneuvers during the 12th edition of the Bethpage Air Show.
For many – there are many thousands watching the skies over the Atlantic Ocean at Jones Beach – this spectacular two-day display of flying stunts is annual tradition not to be missed, This year’s show, on Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, in its new time slot of noon-5 p.m., stars the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
The Thunderbirds are joined by other elite military pilots, including the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and a full lineup of air show performers who will thrill spectators with their escapades overhead.
And, of course, in addition to the military headliners, the roster features some of the premiere civilian pilots who continue to enthrall audiences on the air show circuit. These expert aerobatic performers include American Airpower Museum Warbirds, the GEICO Skytypers and the Miss GEICO Speedboat, Sean D. Tucker of Team Oracle, Lt. Col. John Klatt with his Air National Guard MXS, John Klatt Airshows’ Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco Aerobatic Team, and the Breitling Jet Team, which is making its debut at Jones Beach.
The Breitling Jet Team is the world’s largest professional civilian flight team performing on jets. With its fast and powerful aircraft piloted by “flying aces,” this unique aerobatics team performs a meticulously coordinated ballet, sometimes flying within three meters of each other at speeds of over 435 miles per hour.
The Thunderbirds, this year’s headliners, will be the final act and make their appearance in the sky above Jones Beach at approximately 4 p.m. This will be the legendary demonstration squadron’s fourth appearance here, having last headlined the show in 2009. Their performance will include approximately 40 maneuvers, featuring formation flying and solo routines.

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