Blue Angels Overhead Practicing for the Florida Air Show

Just heard the Blue Angels flying overhead practicing for this coming weekend's Florida Air Show at the Charlotte Airport and most probably their special rides this afternoon.  Each March, Punta Gorda hosts one of the largest air shows in the country and for years this had included the famous Blue Angels.   

This year, the angels are back. Having  lived in Annapolis, Maryland where the Blue Angels flew over our house during graduation weekend at the Naval Academy, I  continue to thrill at the sound of their engines and sight of them soaring through the sky in Punta Gorda.  

And this year the United States Navy Blue Angels will be adding a  twist to their visit  to the Florida International Air Show. The team is providing  rides for two “Hometown Heroes” from Southwest Florida. In order to qualify for a ride with the famed demonstration team, the chose passengers had to  be heavily involved in the community.   The Southwest Florida leaders chosen  for rides in an F-18 Hornet are Dr. David Gayler, Charlotte County Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw, President of Florida Gulf Coast University. Both educators are leaders in the community as well as their respective institutions.  Their  rides are  this afternoon -- March 18.

The air show which begins Saturday also features Michael Goulian, the aerobatic flyer; the Special Operations Jump Team; Dan Buchanan and his flying colors how; Panchito B-253 Mitchell Bomber, Air Force Reserve Jet Car; American Double Trouble Barnstormer, and John Mohr and Greg Koontz Barnstorming.  See the complete schedule at www.youbelonginpuntagorda.com.