Previewing the 2019 Florida International Air Show

USAF Thunderbirds - 2014 FIAS
Punta Gorda, Florida:  The skies above Punta Gorda Airport roar to life this weekend with the return of the annual Florida International Air Show.  For over thirty years, the show has been dazzling crowds with amazing aerial aerobatic displays.  This year's show is sure to not disappoint with acts the whole family will enjoy from the comedy of the Alabama Boys to the adrenaline packed routine of the US Air Force Thunderbirds.

The headline act for the 2019 show will be the Thunderbirds.  The return of the Thunderbirds to Punta Gorda marks the first military demonstration team to fly in the air show since the Thunderbirds flew in 2014 before government sequestration pulled the teams from civilian air shows.

Dash AeroSports - 2017 FIAS
But the Thunderbirds are not the only jet engines to be roaring over Punta Gorda.  Scott Farnsworth will be tearing up the skies in the Dash AeroSports L-39 Albatross and Jerry McKart will be burning up the runway with Homewrecker, a Ford F-650 powered by three jet engines.  With all these jet engines, speed and raw power will be a centerpiece of this year's show.

If aerial acrobatics is more your style, there will be plenty that to go around too.  Including two pilots who push their aircraft beyond the limits of their design.  That is where Jim Pietz and Matt Younkin enter the show.  Both of these pilots perform in aircraft not deisgned for the air show circuit. Pietz flies the Beechcraft Bonanza, a six seat single engine aircraft designed for general aviation travel. While Younkin takes to the skies in the Twin Beech, an aircraft normally used for cargo, aerial spraying and other industrial uses.  Both of these guys do things in these aircraft never seen before, including going inverted.

Matt Younkin - 2012 FIAS
But the aerial acts don't stop there.  You still have the Geico SkyTypers, Red Line Air Shows, the Alabama Boys, Patty Wagstaff, the US Special Operations Command Para-Commandos and much more fun and excitement.

And just when you thought you seen it all, the roar of F-16 Fighting Falcons coming to life as the premier demonstration team of the US Air Force make you proud to be an American.  They tear up the skies at speeds reaching 700 miles per hour while flying inches from each other.  Their show will leave the crowd in awe for their precision flying.

Alabama Boys - 2017 FIAS
While the aerial acts dominate the schedule, there is plenty of things to see and do on the ground as well.  There will be plenty of static aircraft on the ground, delicious food and drinks and vendors selling everything aviation.

You have three chances to experience the 2019 Florida International Air Show beginning with the night show on Friday night.  This one of a kind experience features a smaller list of performers but provides a dazzling show that mixes aircraft with pyrotechnics topped off with a large fireworks show, the FIAS way of kicking off the air show weekend.  The night show leads the way to two full days of aviation action on Saturday and Sunday,

Firework Finale - 2017 FIAS
Tickets for the show can be purchased at the show and range from $35 for an adult and $5 for a child.  The Friday night show is discounted and there are discounts for active military and veterans.  The show also offers a family four pack as well as upgrades including reserved seating, multi-day tickets, photography passes and more.  Check out the airshows website www.floridaairshow.com at for more information.

The show is held at the Punta Gorda Airport at 28000 Airport Road in Punta Gorda, Florida.  Be sure to follow the signage once you get close to the airport as parking for the air show is not the same as parking for the airport.

Check back later for photos from this year's show as Donten Photography brings you photo coverage from the 2019 Florida International Air Show.

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