The return of the Atlantic City Airshow. Wednesday, August 18, 2021. The 18th annual event will feature the U. S. Air Force Thunderbirds as the headline act.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are debuting a new demonstration to the public for the first time in nearly 40 years during their 2021 performance schedule. The performance centers around emotion and entertainment, while still showcasing the complexity, challenge and capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the men and women who fly them.
The U.S. Airforce is also sending the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team to the Atlantic City Airshow. The F-22 Raptor is the Air Force’s premier 5th generation fighter aircraft. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, extreme maneuverability and integrated avionics represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. The Raptor performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions that are vital to the 21st century Air Force.
The United States Army Parachute Team, commonly known as the Golden Knights, will also be returning to the Atlantic City Airshow. This performance consists of demonstration and competition parachutist teams drawn from all branches of the Army.
The Golden Knights demonstration teams perform several types of shows, each is performed to exacting standards of practice but tailored to the specific venue. These shows range from jumpers exiting the aircraft and landing in a major-league stadium, to longer aerial displays.
The Mass Exit show consists of multiple jumpers exiting the aircraft and forming a geometric shape, often with smoke canisters employed for additional crowd effect.
Also returning are the GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team. The team flies six WWII era aircraft, the North American SNJ and the T-6 Texan variant. Both were used as advanced training aircraft to prepare pilots of “The Greatest Generation” for WWII.
The team performs a low-level, precision demonstration that features maneuvers and tactics flown by the United States military. In addition to air show performances, the team “skytypes” giant messages in the sky. Five aircraft fly in a line abreast formation and type dot-matrix style 1,000-foot tall messages that can be seen for 15 miles in any direction.
Atlantic City Beach locations are free and open to the public. Ventnor beach and Boardwalk are also great viewing areas.
2021 Atlantic City Airshow Lineup
(Subject to change)
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
- 11:30 AM US Army Golden Knights Flag Jump w/National Anthem
- 11:38 AM US Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show
- 11:48 AM NJ ANG 177th FW F-16 Flyby
- 11:49 AM NJ ANG 108th WG KC-135 Flyby
- 11:51 AM USAF 436th AW C-17 Flyby
- 11:53 AM NJ ANG Composite Wing Flyby (KC-135 & (2) F-16s)
- 11:55 AM FAA William J Hughes Tech Center Citation Flyby (1-pass)
- 11:57 AM NBC Philadelphia Chopper 10 Flyby
- 11:59 AM Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Helicopter Flyby
- 12:01 PM ChefPitts S1S Aerobatics
- 12:15 PM USAF C-17A Globemaster III Demonstration
- 12:27 PM Medical Helicopter Flybys
- 12:29 PM NJ State Police Flybys
- 12:31 PM 80th FTW T-38 Talon Flyby #1 (4-ship)
- 12:38 PM NJ-ArNG/NJ-ANG UH-60 SPIES/FRIES Demonstration
- 12:44 PM GEICO Skytypers
- 1:04 PM USMC VMM-774 MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
- 1:14 PM David Windmiller Edge 540 Aerobatics
- 1:28 PM US Coast Guard MH-65D Search & Rescure Demonstration
- 1:42 PM Jim Beasley Jr. P-51 Mustang Demonstration
- 1:50 PM USAF F-22A Raptor Demonstration
- 2:05 PM USAF Heritage Flight (F-22 & P-51)
- 2:19 PM Army Golden Knights Mass Exit Show
- 2:40 PM USAF Thunderbirds Enlistment Ceremony
- 2:50 PM USAF Thunderbirds
what if it rains?