Fat Albert is coming back to Owensboro for the 2024 Air Show. While it serves as a transport aircraft hauling equipment for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, the massive plan will also open the demonstration team’s performance highlighted by tactical fighter jets roaring through the air within a few feet of each other just under the speed of sound.
Blue Angels pilots No. 7 (Lt. Connor O’Donnell) and No. 8 (Lcdr. Brian Vaught) flew into Owensboro for their winter site visit on Thursday.
They flew in the F/A-18E Super Hornet, the fighter jet the Blue Angels use at air shows. Vaught said while crowds love seeing the high-speed maneuvers, the C-130J Super Hercules — affectionately nicknamed Fat Albert — is also a fan-favorite that cruises at low altitudes and low speeds.
Though the Owensboro Air Show is still 10 months away, the pilots were on site to make sure the logistics are all in line.
“We are here to get eyes on the area,” Vaught said. “Every air show is different. Safety is our number one concern. We’ve been here before so we kind of know what to expect, but seeing it firsthand is always important. We also handle the logistics for transportation and lodging.”
Vaught and O’Donnell briefly answered questions during a media conference Thursday afternoon after they landed at MidAmerica Jet. Watch that interview here.
The 2024 Owensboro Air Show is scheduled for September 13-15. The appearance will mark the fourth time the Blue Angels have headlined the Owensboro show (2018, 2021). Find out more about the Blue Angels here.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Air Force announced the F-35A Lightning II Demo Team would also be part of the 2024 Owensboro Air Show. It will be the first time the team has ever performed in Owensboro. According to a fact sheet on the demo team website, the F-35A Lightning II is “a stealthy, multirole, all-weather air-to-air and surface attack fighter.” Find out more about their team here.
City of Owensboro Director of Public Events Tim Ross said he’s proud the Owensboro Air Show has continued to grow and find enough success to draw major performers annually.
“Ever since we did the first Air Show back in 2012 with the grand opening of Smothers Park along the riverfront, Owensboro has done a tremendous job of building the brand and establishing itself as a major player in the air show community,” he said. “Every fall, if you come down the riverfront, there are thousands and thousands of enthusiastic fans. Our community does a great job of hosting, with some great Southern hospitality, all the performers, and that allows us to have the best performers in the world.”
More information about the 2024 Air Show, including a full lineup, is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
