Have a question for the Thunderbirds? Every week until the Owensboro Air Show on September 15-17, the crew will answer community questions during “Thunderbird Thursdays.”
This will be the first time the Thunderbirds have flown in the Owensboro show since 2015, when officials estimated they drew about 30,000 people. The 120-member team is made up of 8 pilots that fly the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon plane through different air shows and performances across the country.
Questions can be sent by commenting on the Air Show’s Facebook post here, or by emailing [email protected]. Questions will be accepted through July 27.
When the Thunderbirds return with their iconic F-16 Fighting Falcons this September, viewers will be treated to a different experience. With their 2020 season canceled due to COVID, the Thunderbirds took the time off to overhaul their routine.
Earlier this year, two Thunderbirds team members were in Owensboro for a site visit as they began preparations. They said fireworks, smoke displays, and non-stop maneuvers can be expected in the action-packed and fully revamped performance.
Major Jeffrey Simmer Downie, who flies Thunderbird 8, previously said “There’s a big-bang, high-energy opening. There’s different changes in tempo, there’s crescendos, and there’s false finales before that to build up to the actual finale. It’s an incredible performance. We’ve changed the timing for maneuvers across show center. It’s less of doing one maneuver and then sitting and waiting for another jet to show up. It’s very in-your-face, action-packed, 20 seconds from smoke off to smoke on again.”
The Air Show weekend will kick off September 15, when many of the aircraft will be on display and some will do demonstrations at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport from 4-7:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $5, though children 10 and under, as well as veterans and active-duty military, are admitted free.
The Air Show will then take place from 12:30-4:30 p.m. on September 16 and 17 along the riverfront. Admission is free, though there is some reserved seating available for purchase at the Convention Center. To purchase or for more details about those options, click here.
The full Air Show lineup of performers includes:
