U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Flight Times Set for Oshkosh
Temporary crowd line for team’s performances August 1-3
July 3, 2014 - The schedule is now set for the first-ever full show by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on August 1-3. These performances are part of the daily afternoon air show at Oshkosh on each of those days.
The Thunderbirds will perform what they describe as a “practice show” - basically, a full dress rehearsal for the weekend - at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 1. This comes at the end of the regular afternoon air show. On Saturday, August 2, the Thunderbirds will again fly at 5 p.m. as the final performers in the afternoon air show, which once again features World War II-era aircraft and full pyrotechnics. The Thunderbirds will wrap up their inaugural Oshkosh performances at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, as the closing act in the last air show of AirVenture 2014.
Attendees, volunteers, and pilots should be aware that the Thunderbirds performances require a larger aerobatic box, necessitating a slight move of the crowd line to the west during the afternoon air shows on those days. Only essential, authorized air show personnel are permitted inside the box during the Thunderbirds performance.
The Thunderbirds crowd line will run the entire length of the flightline, in line with the existing speaker poles, about 120 feet west of the regular crowd burn line. This line will be clearly marked.
For air show spectators
Visitors will have access to this area until 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until noon on Sunday. At those times, visitors must move back to behind the Thunderbirds crowd line. AirVenture guests will not be allowed to leave chairs, blankets, coolers, or other items past the Thunderbirds crowd line at any time prior to the end of the afternoon air show on those days. On Friday through Sunday, Wittman Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic, providing additional space for air show viewing.
For pilots and crew of aircraft parked on the flightline
After 1:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and noon on Sunday, pilots or crew of planes parked between the two crowd lines will be allowed in the area for a short time with a security escort to perform urgent, essential tasks. Access will end at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
For pilots and crew parked south of Ultralights
The configuration of the Thunderbirds aerobatic box puts all aircraft parked south of the Ultralights area inside of the Thunderbirds aerobatic box. After 1:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and after noon on Sunday, pilots or crew of planes parked in this area will be allowed in the area for a short time and with a security escort to perform urgent, essential tasks. Access will end at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Full access will be restored after the completion of the Thunderbirds performance on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Look for extensive signage on the grounds, further explaining the areas and times covered by these necessary rules and guidelines.
This aerial photo shows the aerobatic box in force during the Thunderbirds performances at AirVenture this year.
Photo byTyson V. Rininger
