According to organizer Bryan Lilley, the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, which takes place on Fort Lauderdale beach every few years, always features an exciting and energetic main act that never fails to impress. This year, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be the headline performers, offering a thrilling sonic experience akin to Kenny Chesney.
If there is no sign of any fatigue from the public, Lilley wouldn’t argue that it exists. The elite sextet of Blue Angels, consisting of sleek Super F/A-18 Hornets, will once again take flight this Saturday and Sunday as the inverted death-defying rolls and hairpin turns are executed in the skies over South Florida. This aerial show is the signature act of the Blue Angels.
“At the beach, we have the incredible opportunity to witness a remarkable exhibition of military aviation, which instills a sense of pride and patriotism in our country. We are fortunate to have the most talented players who make this all-star game feel like a truly exceptional event. According to Lilley, the mastermind behind this awe-inspiring spectacle, it is not just possible, but it also becomes more remarkable with each passing year. It feels as if Tortuga is ablaze with excitement, just like how one would feel when attending a thrilling stunt show.”
Joining this weekend’s daredevilry in the skies, you can expect everything from helicopters flying upside-down to military-grade aircraft with paratroopers and stunt performers. Don’t ever forget your earplugs and yes, this will be a fun aerial weekend.
Flight cost.
Lilley says that those seeking stunts will have the opportunity to visit the beach. The YouTube show’s air on the International Lauderdale-Hollywood Fort Airport tarmac still allows the crew to catch takeoffs and arrivals. However, those watching from home can no longer enjoy the livestream of Air.Show for free as it was discontinued this year due to the pandemic.
Admission for spectators is free if you want to splurge on prepared seats. However, if you prefer passes, you can purchase them online for the prime viewing area on the shore between Court 14th Northeast and Sunrise. The passes cost between $26 and $37.50 and include access to portable restrooms. Early admission is available from 9 a.M. Until midnight on Friday.
The Boxes Sand, as stated by Lilley, have already sold out for both days. These designated areas on the sand are intended for the admission of four people and include beach chairs. Instead, you can opt for VIP Club Line Flight tickets which come with parking passes, a catered lunch in a personal beach tent, and additional perks, costing between $169 and $199.
The restaurant and bar are open, there is a parking valet, and the bathroom is air-conditioned. The Grand Pelican, located on Ocean Blvd. N., Sold the VIP Penthouse on Saturday. The rooftop balcony offers arguably the best vantage point, with a bird’s-eye view if you prefer.
Bookings can be made by calling 954-565-4446. The buffet lunch and unlimited drinks package includes access to the rooftop for $150 or can be enjoyed for free from the patio at McSorley’s Beach Pub (837 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.). Additionally, there is an alternative option to watch the air show: Backup.
Ready, Maverick?
Commencing at 11:30 a.M. During the entire duration of the festival, these adventurous aviators will loudly soar, rumble, and execute daring maneuvers above the skies and coastlines of Fort Lauderdale.
Here is the complete roster of stunt performers:
The Blue Angels, known for their precision flying, are grounded in Pensacola during the off-season, with six F/A-18 Hornet fighter jets flying in a Delta formation and landing on top of each other.
Among the most advanced fighter jets in the world, the U.S. Air Force’s Team Demo Raptor F-22 can sleekly and stealthily climb vertically and reach supersonic speeds of up to Mach 1.5 while in mid-air.
The Para-Commandos, alternatively recognized as the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team, consist of individuals who willingly serve from every division of the armed forces.
The 482nd Reserve Force’s Air Wing will pilot a pair of F-16s, performing stunts among a simulated airfield attack and pulling off a flyover formation. These F-16s belong to the Vipers, the reserve force of the Air Wing.
The rescue crew of the Coast Guard will simulate a water rescue demonstration offshore, returning from their appearance in 2022, by having a swimmer rescued by hoisting them into a helicopter hovering over the distressed person, then having the helicopter dive to rescue swimmers.
The Lightning F-35C Navy’s aircraft, which is featured in the Air Show lineup, boasts a wingspan of over 8 feet, making it longer than the Marine’s model B or the Air Force’s model A. This advanced and stealthy jet fighter is the newest addition to the Team Demo II’s fleet.
Aaron Fitzgerald, the stuntman known as Red Bull Helicopter, can perform a full array of dangerous aerobatic maneuvers in this modified twin-engine BO-105C helicopter, including flying upside-down, executing loops, performing nose dives, climbing vertically, and executing barrel rolls.
Michael Goulian: Flying the single-seat Extra 330SC, Goulian’s 400-horsepower monoplane can reach speeds of up to 250 mph.
The Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk is set to replace the Northrop T-38 this year as the Air Force’s next-generation aircraft. Since its introduction in 1959, the T-38 Talon, a supersonic jet trainer with seating for two, has been utilized to train a diverse range of individuals, from Air Force pilots to NASA astronauts.
Kirby Chambliss, an aerial performer who maintains his fitness through a demanding regimen of skydiving and motocross, will be at the controls of the Red Bull Edge 540. This electric plane will soar through the Atlantic, executing impressive acrobatic maneuvers such as flips and rolls.
Red Bull Air Force showcases a sequence of airborne maneuvers featuring a team of athletes engaging in base-jumping, freefalling, and gliding over the sea while donning vibrant wingsuits.
The Flight Heritage of the American North Aviation utilized the Mustang P-51, a single-seat fighter-bomber aircraft, in synchronized formation flights during World War II and the Korean War. Additionally, the Raptor F-22, an advanced fighter aircraft, was employed by the Air Force.
The Navy Legacy Flight will soar with a duo of F-35C Lightning IIs in a three-aircraft arrangement alongside a Vought F4U Corsair, a resilient fighter also employed during World War II and the Korean War.
LOOP the loop.
Visit TheLoopFLB.Com. The occasion comprises of meet-and-greets with pilot demonstration teams and an engaging traveling display brimming with flight simulations. The live music performance by Higher Ground will present a complimentary concert for Friday Night Sound Waves from 6:30 to 9:30 p.M. On April 28. As you anticipate the aerial symphony of this weekend, there will be a few ground performances available.
Parking and the closure of roads.
The exit to the beach will be closed each day from 5 PM to 3 AM to lower traffic congestion. The Sunrise Boulevard Bridge may also be closed from 6 PM to 6 AM, going from A1A to Las Olas Boulevard. There will be a checkpoint on 20th Northeast Street in Finger Park, posted for the residents living on Birch Road. A1A will be closed from Seabreeze Boulevard to Sunrise Boulevard, and Sunrise Boulevard will be closed between Court 14th Northeast and A1A. It is expected that these closures will be in effect on April 29-30, from 6 PM to 6 AM. It is advisable to find alternate commuting routes during this time.
There are numerous metered parking spaces, as well as garages and parking lots, near Southeast 17th Street and Oakland Park Boulevard. If you plan to go to the beach, we suggest crossing from the Intracoastal ($20). Additionally, we recommend parking at the Galleria Mall on Sunrise Boulevard.
We recommend locals to use Birch State Park for all-day passes, with a 25 percent discount using the promo code AIRSHOW23. However, please note that drop-offs and pick-ups are not allowed during weekends, so we suggest using the Water Taxi service instead.
If you go.
WHAT: Fort Lauderdale Air Show in 2023.
WHEN: April 29-30.
LOCATION: Fort Lauderdale beach, situated north of Sunrise Boulevard.
COST: No charge to observe; $26-$599 for preferred seat options.
DETAILS: Visit FortLauderdaleAirShow.Com or contact 321-395-3110 for further information.