Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation have announced the final lineup and show details for the 16th annual Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach. This year’s show will take place Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The final lineup for the show includes show headliners the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds returning to the Bethpage Air Show for their seventh appearance, the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team performing in their 14th Bethpage Air Show and the U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet.
Other exciting civilian performers at this year’s Bethpage Air Show include the legendary air show pilot Sean Tucker performing for the first time with Jessy Panzer for Team Oracle, extraordinary aerobatic pilot Matt Chapman, the John Klatt Airshows—Jack Links’ Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco Aerobatic Team, the world famous GEICO Skytypers and their flight squadron of six vintage WWII aircraft, the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, Long Island’s own David Windmiller, the B17 Yankee Lady, the Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter & Red Bull Air Force, and the SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams who will fly seven of their 22 college-owned aircraft in a fly-by piloted by their top academic professional pilot performers.
For the first time, four female pilots will be featured in the show including U.S. Air Force Thunderbird Captain Michelle Curran, an experienced fighter pilot who flies aircraft #6 as the team’s Opposing Solo. Joining Captain Curran on the jet team is #10 Captain Lauren Venturini, an executive officer on the team and #11 Captain Kassandra Mangosing, the team’s maintenance officer.
Esteemed Aviatrix Jessy Panzer, one of the world’s leading female aerobatic pilots, will also be making her Bethpage Air Show debut this year, joining legendary pilot Sean Tucker who retired his solo performance last year. Panzer will fly the Oracle Extra 300L alongside Sean D. Tucker’s Oracle Challenger III.
The famous Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter, currently the only full aerobatic helicopter in the world, will also be performing. Capable of executing astounding aerial maneuvers impossible for most helicopters, this special aircraft will be performing loops, barrel rolls, nosedives and flips for air show enthusiasts. Making his first Bethpage Air Show appearance, the Red Bull Aerobatic Helicopter will be piloted Aaron Fitzgerald, a former U.S. Army Paratrooper and Medal of Valor recipient, and will be joined by four skydivers from the Red Bull Air Force.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to Long Island. This year we will be celebrating our 16th anniversary,” said George Gorman, deputy regional director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “Since the show began in 2004, millions of air show enthusiasts have traveled near and far to help celebrate our nation’s military and the Memorial Day holiday weekend. We look forward to another spectacular show this May.”
Another first for the show is the first Bethpage Air Show app—BP Air Show—which will supply fans with up-to-date parking information, show updates, FAQs on parking and transportation, a map of Jones Beach, performer bios and links to their websites/social media pages, a newsfeed, links to the show’s social media feeds and a link to the WHLI Live broadcast of the show. The BP Air Show app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
“Last year, the Bethpage Air Show was named one of the most respected air shows in the country and this year again, will be included among the best in the U.S.,” said Linda Armyn, senior vice president of corporate affairs of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “If you haven’t gotten to see the show yet, I strongly encourage you to go. It’s a remarkable show and a wonderful beach event to spend with family and friends on Memorial Day Weekend.”
The Bethpage Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry to the state park. There is no vehicle use fee for 2019 NYS Empire Passport holders.
For more about this year’s show, visit www.bethpageairshow.com or call 631-321-3510.
