The skies over Augusta will soon be filled with military teams and civilian aviators demonstrating their abilities. The second Annual Augusta Air Show will be held at Augusta Regional Airport on May 25 and 26.
“It’s great that we’re coming back for a second year. We look forward to putting on another great show for the Augusta area folk,” Chris Dirato, Director of Public Relations for Augusta Air Show told ABD. “We’ll have a combination of military, as well as civilian performers. So, as I like to say, we have a little bit of everything for everybody.”
This year’s headliner is the F-22 Raptor Demo Team. Stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, the Raptor is described as the fastest and most maneuverable fighter jet in the world. According to the team’s media guide, the aircraft “performs precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft.”
It had been 20 years since the last air show at Augusta Regional. Dirato said last year’s show was a chance for the show producer, airport management, and staff to find a comfort zone to revive air shows in Augusta.
He said the working relationship was seamless.
“But needless to say, there are always tweaks and little things that you can improve upon over time, whether it’s parking-related, or vendor-related. Or just to the show’s “footprint” in general,” he said.
Lauren Smith, Assistant Director of Marketing and Public Relations, said they received positive feedback following last year’s show.
“Everybody’s so excited to come out and see this and it highlights our airport, to make sure that we have community involvement and especially educate young people about aviation and what the airport can do for them. So, it’s a well-rounded event,” she said.
Dirato agreed.
“It was all positive. I think there was a thirst for bringing the air show back. Once we got one under our belts, it was exciting with the Thunderbirds and we drew big crowds.”
Other military units that will perform are the E/A-18 Growler team, a P-51 Mustang demo, and an attack helicopter demo. Among the non-military performers is Buck Roetman.
“He’s a world champion in the aerobatic world,” said Dirato. “What he does with his plane is phenomenal. When he puts that plane through all the twists and turns and the loop de loops, it’s exciting. And the G forces that he goes through are incredible.”
Smith told ABD they are already planning for the third Annual Augusta Air Show in 2025. Building on the success last year with the Thunderbirds as headliners followed this year by the F-22 Raptor team, the headliner for next year has already been confirmed.
“Next year, we have an even bigger act coming,” she shared. “We’re already on the schedule for the Blue Angels. That will be at the end of April when we’ll have our third airshow.”
Tickets range from general admission to the Flight Line Club VIP tickets. Tickets must be purchased in advance online or by phone.
For more information and to purchase tickets https://augustaairshow.com/
Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. on both days.