Punta Gorda Air Show This Weekend -- Named One of the 10 Best in the World

The 2013 Florida International Air Show will roar into Punta Gorda tomorrow celebrating its 33^rd year. Recently named one of the top ten air show's in the world by US Today, this year's show will trace the history of aviation. Featuring acts from many of the top aerobatic pilots in the world, the event will be filled with amazing demonstrations in the air and on the ground. Attendees will enjoy seeing aircraft dating from before World War II to the present day tactical fighters.

In addition to entertaining and enthralling those of us fascinated by flight, the Air Show benefits dozens of local charities.   If you go, while you're not looking to the sky to enjoy the  thrilling aerobatic passes, you will be able to visit dozens of aircraft-related displaysas well as shop for memorbilia and enjoy a great variety of refreshments.  There is also an expanded play area.  

•  Information on the Air Show including Performers, Displays and Schedule.
• Location & Directions


Gates open at 9 a.m. both days.

Blue Angels to Fly into Punta Gorda This Weekend -- A Little History of the "Blues"

The soaring sounds of jet airplanes overhead remind me that the Blue Angels are coming to Punta Gorda for this weekend's air show.  The Angels or "Blues," currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team, are returning after a two-year absence from the Florida International Air Show.  The Punta Gorda show is the only one in southern Florida that will feature them this year.   Their appeal and draw goes without saying.  Since there formation at the end of the World War II, their purpose has been to promote US Naval Aviation both domestically and worldwide and support recruitment efforts.  

After the end of the World War II it became apparent to the the US Navy that to keep this armed forces group  in in the minds of people who were used to reading about  numerous victories of the Navy pilots, a strong publicity program had to be launched.   It was  in 1946 that the then US Navy Secretary James Forestal and the chief of US Navy Operations Admiral Chester Nimitz decided to launch the official US Navy aerobatic display team.   Nimitz directed  Vice-Admiral Frank Wagner, director of Naval Air Advanced Training Command (NAATC) in Pensacola, Florida, to create such a team.

The original 1946 Blue Angels Demonstration Team

The team was formed at the airbase in Jacksonville, Florida.  The name "Blue Angels" actually came from a team member who saw an ad in the New Yorker magazine for a nightclub the "Blue Angel" and the rest is history.  Including the 2012 season, the Blue Angels have had 242 demonstration pilots, and 34 Flight Leaders/Commanding Officers.  Their home base now is in Pensacola, Florida.  Since their inception, the "Blues" have flown a variety of different aircraft types, thrilling more than 427 million spectators worldwide.

The six demonstration pilots currently fly in more than 70 shows at 34 locations throughout the United States each year, where still employing many of the same techniques used in their aerial shows in 1946.   During their aerobatic demonstration, the Blues fly six F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, split into the Diamond Formation (Blue Angels 1 through 4) and the Lead and Opposing Solos (Blue Angels 5 and 6). Most of the show alternates between maneuvers performed by the Diamond Formation and those performed by the Solos.  The Solos join the Diamond Formation for a Delta Formation near the end of the show.  

This year will be the first time that the Air Show will feature more than one jet team.  In addition to the  Blue Angels, the Black Diamond Jet Team, which is America’s premier civilian-owned demonstration team will perform. The Black Diamond Jet team, formerly known as the Heavy Metal Jet Team, will return to the Florida International Air Show for their second year. Flying five L-39 aircraft and two MiG-17 fighters, this is the first seven- ship civilian jet team act in North America.  

Joining the two jet teams will be Team RV, which is the world’s largest air show team performing in North America. Team RV features a 10-12 ship aerobatic and large formation routine flown by experienced military fighter pilots and private general aviation pilots flying “home built” planes.  For more on this 32nd annual air show visit: http://www.floridaairshow.com/

Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda to host Doolittle Tokyo Raiders and Special Guests Representing the People’s Republic of China

The 31st Annual Florida International Air Show taking place in Punta Gorda, Florida (March  26-27) will be hosting a historic “Commemorative Gathering” between three surviving Doolittle Tokyo Raiders and special guests representing the People’s Republic of China.

On April 18, 1942, sixteen North American B-25B twin engine bombers and eighty U.S. Army Air Corps airmen took off from an aircraft carrier (USS Hornet CV-8) in the Pacific, with a top secret mission to bomb military and industrial installations in and around Tokyo. This was the very first strike on the Empire of Japan, one hundred and thirty three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.  Although no planes were lost over Japan, fifteen planes made it safely over China, fuel loss and bad weather forced all crews to crash land or bail out. One plane made it to USSR and landed.

Three Raiders were killed on bail out, eight were captured by the pursing Japanese Army and sixty four crew members were saved by National Chinese who risked their lives moving the Raiders to safety throughout territories occupied by the Japanese militia. The Chinese people including many soldiers of the National Chinese militia paid the ultimate sacrifice for aiding these crew members. It was estimated that over 250,000 men women and children were slaughtered by the pursing Japanese Army for their valiant efforts to protect and save the American fliers from being taken prisoner or being killed.

For the first time in sixty nine years, three Doolittle Tokyo Raiders – Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, plane number one and Doolittle’s co-pilot, Major Thomas C. Griffin the navigator on plane number nine and S/Sgt David J. Thatcher, engineer/gunner on plane number seven ( featured in the book and movie of the same name “ 30 Seconds Over Tokyo”,) will be reunited with members of a Chinese delegation sent by the Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C. to represent the Chinese Government and the people of China. For the Raiders, this historic “Commemorative Gathering” will demonstrate the ongoing respect and lasting friendship they hold for people of China for their bravery and the sacrifices they made saving the lives of sixty four Raider crew members.

The Chinese people have always praised the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders for their timely mission to help destroy their common enemy at that time, the Empire of Japan.

About the Florida International Air Show:

The Florida International Air Show (FIAS) organization is a Florida “not for profit” corporation and staffed entirely by volunteers. Their mission is to present a yearly Air Show that is focused on wholesome family entertainment, educational to all attendees in the areas of aviation and space, present a forum for military and commercial flight demonstrations, create a friendly environment for military recruiting, involve community support to the maximum and give favorable exposure to the Punta Gorda Airport as a major local economic asset. The organization is a Florida “not for profit” corporation and no one is paid, so income from gate receipts, sponsors and other income producing events goes to putting on the yearly Air Show. Monies in excess of this requirement are distributed to local working charities, which directly support the Show, in a yearly event attended by the recipients. www.FloridaAirShow.com. The bomber that was made famous on the Doolittle Tokyo Raid, the North American B-25 affectionately known as the “Mitchell” will be performing and on display.

About the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders:
Seventy nine young American aviators and their leader Lt. Colonel, James H. Doolittle took part in the historic and dangerous mission. Today, there are five surviving Raiders, including the last surviving Raider of eight who were captured by the Japanese. These men continue to attend special events including their annual reunion held every April in a major City. This year they will be guests of the City of Omaha, April 14-18. See Doolittle official website for more information. www.DoolittleTokyoRaiders.com & www.doolittleraider.com

Heavy Metal Jet Team and Doolittle Raiders headlining 2011 Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda March 26-27

Courtesy Florida International Air Show

The 2011 Florida International Air Show returns to the skies above Punta Gorda on March 26-27. It is a show described as" filled with death-defying feats, the whir of engines and a hushed crowd anticipating the next great dive towards earth".

Air Boss, Bob Hall, recently announced a new jet team at this year’s show, which will feature some of the world’s top aerobatic pilots and performers. “We are extremely excited that the Heavy Metal Jet Team will join us for the 2011 Air Show,” says Hall.

The Florida International Air Show marks the first time ever that the Heavy Metal Jet Team will perform in an Air Show. “The Heavy Metal Jet Team features retired jet pilots in a five-ship aerobatic civilian owned jet team,” says Hall. “This jet team is the first of its kind and unique to any Air Show in the country.”

Also attending this year’s Air Show is the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, a group known for their famous raid during World War II. “We are extremely honored and proud to be able to host three of the six surviving members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders at this year’s Air Show,” says Chairman, Fred Buckingham. “The Raiders will also be on-site to sign autographs for our excited fans.”

The Doolitte Raid took place in 1942 and was one of Franklin D. Roosevelt's highest military priorities, a payback attack on the Japanese Home Islands (Honshu) during World War II, and it was assigned to Lieutenant Colonel James "Jimmy" Doolittle. Known as the mission that changed the war, the Tokyo Raid was once called “one of the most courageous deeds in military history” by General Halsey as the Raiders left for their dangerous mission.

Thousands of spectators are expected to attend the Florida International Air Show, which always draws a large crowd from all across the state. Air Show fans looking for additional information and tickets can visit the show’s website at www.FloridaAirShow.com.

For contact information for the Heavy Metal Jet Team and the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders contact Lindsey Barfield at Media@FloridaAirShow.com.

Florida Air Show coming to Punta Gorda Airport on March 26-27

According to the Florida International Air Show website, the 2011 Air Show will take place on March 26-27th in Punta Gorda. The International Air Show, which will be celebrating its 31st year will feature aerial stunts, high-speed military jets, and acrobatic pilots. This year's show will trace the history of aviation with acts from many of the top aerobatic pilots in the world. There will be demonstrations in the air and on the ground. Attendees will be able to view aircraft dating from before World War II to the present day tactical fighters.

The Florida International Air Show takes place at the Punta Gorda Airport (still referred to as Charlotte County Airport). Ticket and more information about the show can be found on the Florida Air Show website.

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.