28th Florida International Air Show
The 28th Florida International Air Show is set to take place on 5 and 6 April 2008 at the Charlotte County Airport. This fun-filled, educational, charity event has something for each member of the family and should not be missed by aviation enthusiasts. Through the support of sponsors and the dedication of a team of volunteers, over the years the Florida International Air Show has raised in excess of $2,000,000 for charities in and around the Southwest Florida area.
The 28th Florida International Air Show is set to take place on 5 and 6 April 2008 at the Charlotte County Airport. This fun-filled, educational, charity event has something for each member of the family and should not be missed by aviation enthusiasts. Through the support of sponsors and the dedication of a team of volunteers, over the years the Florida International Air Show has raised in excess of $2,000,000 for charities in and around the Southwest Florida area.
The program is jam-packed with excitement and includes new items as well as some tried-and-tested favorites. The United States Air Force Thunderbirds will be performing at the Florida International Air Show for the seventh time with their awe-inspiring routines. The team will once again be flying the Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon airplane, which can reach speeds in excess of 1,300 mph and an altitude of 50,000 feet.
The United States Army Golden Knights will be a highlight of each day at the Florida International Air Show with their dramatic “Flag Jump”. This daring parachute-jump routine needs to be seen to be believed and visitors to the Florida International Air Show will have the opportunity to see the Golden Knights in action.
Another favorite on the 2008 program is Hall of Fame pilot Patty Wagstaff, who has been a member of the United States Aerobatic Team six times. She has won gold, silver and bronze medals in Olympic-level competitions, as well as being the first woman to win the US National Aerobatic champion title – which she went on to win three times. Patty’s routine includes some of the most thrilling, complex, low-level aerobatics in the world.
Other performers at the Florida International Air Show include the Trojan Horsemen T-28 Aerobatic Team, Cabanas Aerobatics Unlimited, Draco the Dragonator, and Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, who is considered to be one of America’s greatest fighter pilots. There will be plenty of static displays which visitors will get to inspect at close quarters, as well as music and food to complete the festive atmosphere of the occasion.
The Florida International Air Show started off as a one day event in 1981 and was sponsored by the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. It featured the Navy Blue Angels, the Falling Gators Sport Parachute Club, Jim Holland and Jim Moser providing solo and dual aerobatic entertainment. Static military displays and the Charlotte High School Silver King Marching Band added to the show. It has grown to a two-day event with international status and the organizers are confident that the 2008 Florida International Air Show will live up to its well earned reputation.
