Look to the skies! The Tampa Bay airshow came back to town taking over the skies with their amazing stunts and performances. The air show is hosted at the MacDill Air Force Base starting at 8 a.m. The event coordinators invite all to attend for free. The event brings in a crowd of about 150,000 people for their two-day event.
A variety of planes were shown soaring the skies such as Fighters/Helos, Tankers/Airlift, Warbird/Civilian, Trainers/Helos, and Bombers. The MacDill Air Force Base was first established in 1939 and named after Colonel Leslie MacDill.
Included in the plane performances are the Air Force Thunderbirds. Performing all around the world flying in the F-16 Fighting Falcons, the planes stay very close and are mostly known for their clean organized positions in three different formations of The Delta, The Solos, and The Diamond. There are over 120 people on the team with almost 30 different professions working to make sure all jets are always in perfect condition.
Para-commandos can be seen demonstrating U.S. Special Operations Command’s parachute team. Performing across the nation, the team can perform from as low as 2,000 feet and as high as 13,500 feet in the air. The team includes over 70,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Department of Defense Civilians.
Part of the air show is the aerobatic pilot Michael Goulian who began his career by joining aerobatics becoming one of the youngest pilots in the USA Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at 27 years old. In 2006, Goulian competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. His performance in the air show includes spinning continuously through the air creating spirals in the sky.
Scott Yoak “Scooter” and his father Bill created the plane Quick Silver P-51D Mustang out of their dream and is sometimes also called “The Resurrected Veteran,” All the designs put into Quick Silver were made to be dedicated in remembrance of veterans. You can spot its shining glare reflecting from far up in the sky going upside down and back up right.
One of the biggest planes is the C-17. It is part of the Demo team working as a cargo plane for carrying troops and all types of baggage to be delivered to bases or deployment areas. The C-17 is 174 feet long with wings being 169 feet long, weighing 40,440 pounds with a max amount of weight loaded onto it of 170,900 pounds.
Carrying up to 83,000 pounds of cargo is the KC-135 Stratotanker aimed to provide refueling for the Air Force and has been successful for more than 60 years. Like the C-17, the KC-135 is used to help transport those who are unable to move after being injured during aeromedical evacuations.
Flying in the F/A-18F Super Hornet is the Rhino Demo Team. It is a 44,000 pounds Navy fighter plane. The Super Hornet was developed over 40 years ago and provides air support by striking with guided weapons, fighter escorts, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strikes, reconnaissance, forward air control, and tanker missions.
Showcasing two of the former WWII Navy Advanced Training Aircrafts are the North American SNJ Texan flown together as the Warbird Thunder. It performs in the graceful formation of aerobatics despite the plane’s size. While performing, you can hear the engines and see the amazing smoke extending.
Protecting troops from the skies is the A-10 Demo performed by the Air Combat Command a-10 Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team. The Thunderbolt II is equipped with night vision technology and can survive direct hits and high explosives from up to 23mm.
Another famous pilot in the air show Roll Holland. He earned his pilot’s license as a teenager. He built his experience from being a corporate pilot, commuter pilot, banner tower, flight instructor, ferry pilot, and event operating his own flight school. Holland has earned many awards such as Five-time Consecutive World Freestyle Champion, Twelve-time Consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, Thirteen-time U.S. National Freestyle Champion, and more. Part of his performance shows include never seen beore stunts as part of his goal is “to push the limits of what can be done.”
Lastly, one of the most exciting to view performances is shown by Firewalkers International. The Firewalkers team has performed in the United States, Canada, China, El Salvador, UAE, and Australia. They were first established in 2013 as the newest Air Show Pyrotechnics Team show performance. The team consists of members who have many years of experience in a show including high explosives, flammable fuels, and fireworks that make the show loud, shocking, and hot! All of what is offered in the show is in a safe and controlled area.
The Tampa Bay Airshow is an enjoyable experience for everyone for more information visit: www.tampabayairfest.com.
