DAYTON, Ohio — It’s an exciting weekend for aircraft enthusiasts and pilots alike as they anticipate opening day of the Dayton Air Show.
What You Need To Know
- The Dayton Air Show will open for the first time since 2019
- One of the performers is the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
- The Thunderbirds are a aerobatic team made up of highlight skilled U.S. Air Force pilots
- Some of their tactical maneuvers are the diamond, delta and solos
Thunderbirds Left Wing Pilot Maj. Ian Lee has been doing test flights in his F-16 since Thursday afternoon. It’s all to get ready for the big show.
“This weekend, I’m looking forwards to some good weather and hopefully finally interacting with crowds,” said Lee.
Lee has been in the Air Force for 12 years, but just recently joined the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. He’s one of their six pilots.
The squadron was established in 1953 and is an aerobatic team made up of highly-skilled Air Force pilots.
Lee said he enjoys, “Being able to work with a highly-motivated group of people on our team and just having the complete 100% trust in each other when we’re flying.”
This weekend, aircraft enthusiasts can expect to see the Thunderbirds perform different tactical maneuvers like the diamond, the delta and various solos. To the team, it’s all about pride, precision and professionalism.
“We’re trying to get the power and precision of the airfare and try to portray that in the actual show. I’ll be loud and it’ll be good,” said Lee.
Although this is his first time performing in Dayton, Lee said he’s looking forward to seeing the crowds and putting on a good, and interesting show.
“It’s very exciting especially because we redid the show so if people were at the show two years ago, you’ll see something completely different,” he said.
The air show is Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit daytonairshow.com.
