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Thunderbirds

Dayton Air Show Drops Drive-In Format And Returns To A Normal Show

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Governor DeWine’s announcement that Ohio’s health restrictions will end on June 2nd has given the CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger the green light to conduct a “normal” show in 2021. Show officials jumped at the chance to fully reopen and present a traditional show program complete with static display aircraft, specialty seating and a star-studded line-up of top aerobatic performers.

This year’s show will be headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on July 10th and 11th. 2021 marks the 46th anniversary of Dayton’s premier summer event held at Dayton International Airport.

“Hurray! We are back to a normal show,” proclaimed Scott Buchanan, Chairman of the United States Air and Trade Show Board of Trustees, producers of the event. “We’re so excited to return and give the people of Dayton an outdoor summer event to enjoy with family and friends. We have an incredible lineup of performers, comfortable seating and delicious food and beverages, so come on out and enjoy summer…it’s been a long time since we have been able to do this,” Buchanan added.

Show officials have spoken to Public Health Dayton & Montgomery County and received Ohio Department Public Health’s new order permitting the show to return to normal operations. The show will operate as it has in the past. Static aircraft will be available for public viewing and popular specialty seating areas like the Pavilion, Blue Sky Chalet, and Photo Pit will be open.

The show values its customers and will be implementing some new initiatives that will make guests feel comfortable and safe:

  • ➢  Fresh Air: Everything is outdoors. Nothing like good ole fresh air on a beautiful summer day.
  • ➢  Space: We have over 100 acres of show grounds. Plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the show.
  • ➢  Hand Sanitation Stations: Hand sanitation stations throughout site for guest convenience and safety .
  • ➢  Specialty Seating: All umbrella table seating areas, Pavilion, Blue Sky Chalet, private chalets and Chairman’s Club spaced a minimum of 6’ apart.
  • ➢  Cleaning: Tables, restrooms and other surfaces disinfected each day.

    Show spectators will enjoy a full, four-hour feature flying show in 2021. Joining the world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will be an all-star lineup including the U.S. Army Golden Knights, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, the amazing Shockwave Jet Truck, all-new Lucas Oil Airshows, and Jacquie B “Ladies, it’s Time to Fly” aerobatics. Additional attractions to the 2021 show will be announced soon.

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    This year is a special year for the Thunderbirds in Dayton. Flying in Thunderbird # 6 as opposing solo will be Dayton native, Major Kyle Oliver. Born at Wright-Patterson AFB Medical Center, Kyle went on to graduate from Beavercreek High School and Ohio State University. He was inspired to join the U.S. Air Force while watching the Thunderbirds as a teen visitor to the Dayton Air Show. What a true Dayton, Ohio homecoming!

    2021 show tickets are on sale now at the show’s website, www.daytonairshow.com. Customers can enjoy a print-at-home option on all website purchases. Beginning June 1, 2021, customers can conveniently purchase discount general admission tickets at area Kroger stores. This Kroger exclusive offers $3.00 off adult and children’s tickets at over 100 Kroger stores in the Dayton/Cincinnati region. Visit the show’s website for additional information.

    Any drive-in tickets purchased for the 2021 show will be automatically refunded. Please visit the show’s website for further information and instructions. Any specialty seating that was purchased for the 2020 show or 2021 show before the change to a drive-in format will be honored at the 2021 show on July 10th and 11th. Visit the show’s website for more information.

Thunderbirds visit Wright Brothers’ Sites, Ride WW II Bomber

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Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds jet team toured Wright brothers’ sites and flew in a World War II bomber Tuesday and Wednesday while in the area for the Vectren Dayton Air Show.

several members of the Thunderbirds with CAM pilots Eric Shiffer and Bill Weidenhammer. NAHA photo by Tim Gaffney

An earlier-than-usual arrival at Dayton International Airport for the air show taking place this weekend gave the 65-member team some free time. Pilots and several others took advantage of the break  to explore the rich aviation heritage of the National Aviation Heritage Area, culminating Wednesday afternoon in flights on one on of the vintage World War II bombers scheduled to fly in the air show.
A group of approximately 30 Thunderbirds took turns taking familiarization flights on the Champaign Aviation Museum’s B-25 bomber Champaign Gal Wednesday afternoon at historic Grimes Field Airport in Urbana. The twin-engine, bomber can carry six passengers at a time.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Thunderbirds members visited units of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, including the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and the Wright Cycle Co.; Aviation Trail Inc.’s Parachute Museum; Dayton History’s Wright Brothers Aviation Center in Carillon Historical Park; Hawthorn Hill, the Wright family mansion in Oakwood, the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
The National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA), the congressionally chartered nonprofit management entity for the heritage area, coordinated the tours with its heritage partners.
“This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to show one of our premier military jet teams the aviation heritage in our heritage area,” said Tony Sculimbrene, NAHA executive director.
About NAHA
The National Aviation Heritage Alliance (NAHA) is a nonprofit chartered by Congress in 2004 as the management entity for the National Aviation Heritage Area, a region of national historical importance encompassing Montgomery, Greene, Miami, Clark, Warren, Champaign, Shelby, and Auglaize counties. The Heritage Area is one of 49 National Heritage Areas in a program administrated by the National Park Service, and the only one dedicated to aviation heritage. Visit aviationheritagearea.org for more information.