money How to attend: Space Coast International Air Show to feature F-22 Raptor in Titusville
From vintage 1940s propeller-driven planes to futuristic stealth fighters, this weekend's Space Coast International Air Show will showcase America's aerobatic timeline of military aircraft.
“We've got a demo from every era," said Bryan Lilley, the air show's organizer.
"In the middle of the show, we're going to start with the Valiant Air Command warbird parade with our World War II-era stuff. We're going to progress to the F-86 demo, which is Korean War-era, then do the the helicopter attack demo with the Cobra and Huey, which is Vietnam-era," Lilley said.
“And then we've got the A-10, which is Desert Storm. Into present-day, we go into the Navy Growler right into the Raptor. So it's kind of a progression, starting from World War II, the whole way through to present modern-day fighters," Lilley said.
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The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team will headline the Space Coast International Air Show, which takes to the skies Saturday and Sunday at Space Coast Regional Airport in Titusville.
Other key aerobatic performers include the U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Legacy Team, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog and U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team.
“We’ve got a really unique combination of military and civilian aviation together. Some really extreme aircraft: the Raptor being very extreme in the way it performs," Lilley said.
"Chuck Aaron in the aerobatic helicopter is also a really unique, extreme thing, something that you don't get to see every day: seeing a helicopter fly inverted," he said.
Valiant Air Command's flagship Tico Belle — a Douglas C-47 Skytrain that dropped paratroopers over Normandy on D-Day — also will fly during the air show.
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Tickets must be purchased in advance at spacecoastairshow.com or by calling 321-328-8686. Packages range from general admission tickets ($28 for adults, $16.80 for children) to Flight Line Club VIP seating ($179 for adults, $143 for children). On-site parking is included in the price. The airport address is 355 Golden Knights Blvd. in Titusville.
Gates open at 9 a.m. Flight performances will begin at 11:30 a.m. and wrap up about 3 p.m.
Viewing tips:
Organizers recommend that attendees bring sunscreen and up to 1 liter of water in a sealed bottle.
No other outside beverages or food are allowed.
General admission and Lawn Box BYOC (bring your own chair) spectators can bring chairs and personal-size umbrellas for shade.
Ear protection also is recommended, but not required — especially for children under age 5.
Pets, smoking and vaping are prohibited.
Personal tents, awnings, beach umbrellas and firearms also are prohibited.
Lilley, who chairs the National Air, Sea and Space Foundation, is partnering with the Titusville-based Valiant Air Command to produce the upcoming air show.
Both organizations teamed up in April 2021 to produce the Cocoa Beach Air Show, which featured the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. That event drew global media attention after the VAC's World War II-era TBM Avenger splashed into the surf during an emergency ocean landing near Patrick Space Force Base.
More than 30 aircraft at the upcoming Titusville show will be parked as static displays, including a Blue Angel F/A-18 Hornet and an F-14 Tomcat.
“Because there's so much to see on the airfield — because the whole (VAC Warbird) Museum is going to be out on the airfield — we're recommending that everybody come in early," Lilley said.
"In our 15 years of air shows, it's the most that we've ever had on static display of any air show that we’ve done," he said.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds initially were scheduled as a showcase act. But they canceled their appearance back in March, citing "persistent inclement weather and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic." Now, the squadron will not kick off its touring season until June 18 at Canadian Forces Base Borden in Ontario.
Titusville's last air show, the 2019 Space Coast Warbird Airshow, generated 99,793 visitors, the Space Coast Office of Tourism reported. The World War II-era AeroShell Acrobatic Team headlined that event.
Estimated total economic impact was $14.1 million, and 50% of the spectators traveled from outside Brevard County, the organization reported.
Air show officials are advertising Thursday's Boeing Starliner capsule launch, scheduled for 6:54 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, as an extra reason for out-of-town spectators to book hotel rooms.
In a Monday news release, the Space Coast Office of Tourism touted Saturday and Sunday as a "major double event weekend on the Space Coast." The Thunder on Cocoa Beach Super Boat Grand Prix, also which takes place this weekend, drew 255,794 visitors last year to Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral.
The Space Coast Tourism Development Council’s Cultural Committee awarded each event a $73,000 grant in December. Funding came from Brevard County's 5% tourist development tax on hotel rooms and short-term rentals.
Rick Neale is the South Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories, click here.) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @RickNeale1
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Space Coast International Air Show features F-22 Raptor in Titusville
