About Air Shows
Industry Links
Military Demo Websites |
Description |
| ACC | The ACC Aerial Events Branch of the U.S. Air Force is responsible for scheduling the public display of ACC aircraft, specifically, the six Single-Ship Demonstration Teams, the B-2 and the F-117A. We also coordinate static display and flyover support of other ACC aircraft to air shows worldwide. In addition, we manage the Heritage Flight program, which consists of vintage World War II, Korean and Vietnam War-era aircraft flying in close formation with the ACC Single-Ship Demonstration Teams at air shows. |
| Golden Knights | In 1959 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. The team performed so well that on June 1, 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team. For more than 44 years the Golden Knights have been wowing audiences at air shows, competitions, and most recently, with high profile tandems. The two demonstration teams travel all over the country performing aerial demostrations at air shows and special events in support of Army recruiting goals. |
| Blue Angels | The Blue Angels’ mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its elected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps. A Blue Angels flight demonstration exhibits choreographed refinements of skills possessed by all naval aviators. It includes the graceful aerobatic maneuvers of the four-plane Diamond Formation, in concert with the fast-paced, high-performance maneuvers of its two Solo Pilots. Finally, the team illustrates the pinnacle of precision flying, performing maneuvers locked as a unit in the renowned, six-jet Delta Formation. |
| Leap Frogs | The U.S. Navy Parachute Team is a fifteen-man team comprised entirely of U.S. Navy SEAL and SWCC commandos. Each member comes to the team for a three-year tour from one of the two Naval Special Warfare Groups located on the east and west coasts. On completion of the tour, members return to operational units. The parachute team began in 1969 when Navy SEALs and Frogmen volunteered to perform at weekend air shows. The team was officially commissioned as the U.S. Navy Parachute Team "Leap Frogs" in 1974 by the Chief of Naval Operations and assigned the mission of demonstrating Navy excellence throughout the United States. The Leap Frogs support Navy recruiting efforts and promote the Naval Special Warfare community to the American public. A typical Leap Frogs performance consists of fourteen jumpers leaping out of an aircraft at an altitude of 12,500 feet. During free fall, jumpers reach speeds of 120 mph and can accelerate up to 180 mph by pulling their arms to their sides and straightening their legs into what is called a "track." The jumpers typically open their parachutes at around 5,000 feet by releasing a smaller pilot chute which deploys their main blue-and-gold canopy. After deploying their chutes, the Leap Frogs fly their canopies together to build dramatic canopy-relative work formations. The Leap Frogs are renowned for exciting and complex formations such as downplanes, sideplanes, dragplanes, diamonds, big stacks, tri-by-sides, and T formations. After performances, the Leap Frogs make themselves available to the public to answer questions about the Navy and the Naval Special Warfare community, as well as to sign autographs. |
| Snowbirds | The Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron) is a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Forces. Their pilots and technicians work as a team to bring thrilling performances to the North American public. Serving as Canadian ambassadors, the Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of professionalism, teamwork, excellence, discipline and dedication inherent in the women and men of the Air Force and the Canadian Forces. |
| Thunderbirds | From their fabled past to their storied present, the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is the premier demonstration squadron of the most elite air and space force the world has ever known. They are the best of the best: U.S. Air Force professionals teamed together to present precision aerial maneuvers that exhibit the capabilities of modern, high performance aircraft and the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft. The demonstrations themselves are unimaginable before you see them and unforgettable afterwards, but that is only a small fraction of what this team represents. The Air Force is engaged in global operations every day, fighting the Global War on Terror, defending our homeland, providing strategic deterrence and giving our nation unparalleled global vigilance, reach and power. This year, the Thunderbirds celebrate 55 years of representing the more than 500,000 Airmen, National Guardsmen and Reservists worldwide. Whether at home in Las Vegas or at an air show on the other side of the world, the team embodies the same pride, precision and professionalism required to achieve uncontested air dominance anywhere, anytime. The Thunderbirds - America's Ambassadors in Blue. |
| Skyhawks | The SkyHawks are a sub-unit of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre located in Trenton, Ontario. In the team’s 37-year history the Canadian Force Parachute Team – the SkyHawks – have performed around the world to an estimated 70 million spectators under our signature Canadian flag parachutes. As Canadian Soldiers we pride ourselves in demonstrating physical fitness, teamwork and professionalism that is part of the Canadian Forces. The SkyHawks are made up of a variety of Canadian Forces trades with a wide range of experience. The SkyHawks are proud to demonstrate one of the many advanced skills that are taught in the Canadian Forces. Parachuting has a number of uses: from re-supply and mass troop insertion by round parachutes to precision insertion with square parachutes like those used by the SkyHawks. These skills are used to re-supply units as well as insert light, reconnaissance and Special Forces units. The SkyHawks consist of 15 members from both Regular and Reserve Force. Along with the aircrew from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, the team will perform 65 shows in 36 locations from May through October. |
| Canadian Forces | Every year, the air force participates in numerous air shows and ground displays around the country, entertaining and educating hundreds of thousands of Canadians. These opportunities allow Canadians a first hand look at the equipment, training and specialized skills of the men and women of the air force. Air displays range from small town fairs to international air shows, opening ceremonies for major sporting events as well as Canada Day on Parliament Hill. The Canadian International Air Show, held in Toronto every year on Labour Day weekend, draws crowds of over 1 million. At air shows at military bases and other venues, crews demonstrate their precision flying skills by performing air to air combat maneuvers, rappelling from helicopters and parachuting from low-flying planes - putting their skills and training to the test. Ground-based static displays offer the public a chance to see the equipment close up and talk to the crews about life in the air force. |
| 1CAD | This First Canadian Air Division (1CAD) website is devoted to issues related to the Canadian military’s involvement in Canadian and U.S. air shows. A one-stop site for virtually every issue related to the involvement of the Canadian Forces in any air show, the site includes information on the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the CF-18 air show demonstration, static display aircraft, as well as forms, instructions, and air show schedules. |
Aviation Websites |
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| EAC | Air shows bring excitement and fun to spectators. The EAC aims to encourage the spectacle while ensuring the safety of all who take part and who go to see an event. |
| ICAS Foundation | The ICAS Foundation is a tax exempt organizations whose mission is to provide the necessary resources to leave a lasting legacy of our industry for others to follow and perpetuate. |
| AirShowBuzz | Air Show Buzz is the premier website for air show fans, spectators and enthusiasts who want to discuss and learn more about issues related to their mutual interest in air shows and aviation. The largest virtual community of air show enthusiasts in the world, Air Show Buzz provides discussion boards, videos, photos, air show schedules and more. |
| EAA | The Experimental Aircraft Association is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds who like to fly, build and restore aircraft. |
| AOPA | The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to general aviation...fights legal battles on behalf of all pilots ….works on getting pro-aviation legislation passed |
| GAMA | The General Aviation Manufacturers Association is committed to safeguard GA growth and vitality at the same time it increases the margin of safety in GA operations. |
| CAF | Commemorative Air Force is an educational, historic preservation nonprofit organization that acquires, restores and flies vintage military aircraft. |
| FAST | The Formation and Safety Team is an educational organization dedicated to teaching safe formation flying in restored vintage aircraft. |
| USPA | The United States Parachute Association promotes safe skydiving through parachute training, rating and competition programs. |
| World Air Show News | |
ICAS Regional Networks (Chapters) |
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| Northeast Council of Airshows | NECAS is an organization of professionals, performers, event organizers, military, government regulators and support service providers. Our purpose is to provide air show professionals in the North Eastern region of North America, enhanced networking, education and leadership opportunities at a grass roots level; and to encourage and assist ICAS members in carrying out common objectives to enhance the air show industry regionally and internationally. |
| Southwest Air Show Network | South West Airshow Networking membership is made up of those who share a love of aviation and air shows. Affiliated with ICAS, the International Council of Airshows, and are airshow performers, vendors, airshow sponsors, producers, and directors. |
| Northwest Council of Airshows | NWCAS is an association of airshow producers, airshow performers and airshow support service providers. NWCAS was created as a regional branch of the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) to allow for better representation of airshow related issues as well as the local arena to promote the interests and advancement of airshows in the Northwest. |
Regulatory Websites |
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| FAA | The mission of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. Our vision is to improve the safety and efficiency of aviation, while being responsive to our customers and accountable to the public. |
| TCA | Transport Canada's mission is to develop and administer policies, regulations and services whose goals are to create a safe, secure, efficient and affordable transportation system for Canada and Canadians. |
