2016 Air Show Roars Over the Shore This Saturday Through Monday

CLEVELAND, OH — The 2016 Cleveland National Air Show presented by Discount Drug Mart will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and will take place Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3, 4 & 5) at Burke Lakefront Airport in downtown Cleveland.

Hosted by Parker Hannifin, the “Blues” demonstration pilots will blaze across the sky with a one hour choreographed presentation that includes graceful aerobatics and fast-paced, high performance maneuvers.

The demonstration also includes the Blue Angels C-130 Hercules support aircraft affectionately known as "Fat Albert." Before the performance, Air Show attendees will witness the highly choreographed “walk down” preflight routine as the Blue Angel pilots climb into their F/A-18 Hornets, start them up and taxi out for take-off.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are celebrating their 70th Anniversary in 2016 and Cleveland is a part of their rich history. The newly minted Blue Angels made one of their first public appearances in the F8F-Bearcat at the 1946 National Air Races in Cleveland on Labor Day Weekend (Aug. 30 –Sept. 2). Since 1946, the “Blues” have performed for 484+ million fans.

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor is one of the most sought-after demonstrations on the air show circuit and is hosted by Voss Aerospace. The 2016 Air Show will be the first time for Clevelanders to see the full F-22 Raptor demonstration. Its incredible maneuverability, aided by its computerized controls and powerful, thrust-vectoring jet engines, make the Raptor demonstration unlike any other. The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team is based at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

2016 marks the inaugural year of the U.S. Air Force F-35 Heritage Flight. The Heritage Flight program presents the evolution of USAF air power by flying today's state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft. The F-35 Heritage Flight will feature the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor flying alongside a P-51 Mustang in a dynamic display of the nation’s airpower history. Cleveland will be the first civilian air show in the U.S. to showcase all three aircraft flying together. The F-35 Lightning II, America’s newest fighter, is a 5th generation fighter that combines advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility. The F-35 Heritage Flight Team is based at Luke Air Force Base.

The impressive line-up also includes the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, world aerobatic champion Matt Chapman, Third Strike Wingwalking and more. Inside the gates, spectators will feel the heat of Shockwave Jet Truck and ground shaking pyrotechnics with a Wall of Fire. Fans can tour unique aircraft, help pack a parachute, meet a pilot and explore aviation first hand.

All tickets for the Cleveland National Air Show are on sale now. The most sought-after seating options include Reserved Box Seats and Barnstormer Club, which offer a variety of amenities.

Advance General Admission Tickets will also be available at local Discount Drug Mart stores starting August 1, 2016. For more information, please visit www.clevelandairshow.com or call (216) 781-0747.

The Cleveland National Air Show has been Northeast Ohio’s Labor Day Weekend Tradition since 1964, attracting 60,000 to 100,000 visitors to Burke Lakefront Airport and making it one of the region’s largest annual events. It is produced by Cleveland National Air Show, Inc. a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit Ohio corporation that relies on sponsorship and community support to offset the costs of producing the event. The Air Show has an annual economic impact of $7.1 million+ on the City of Cleveland.

Photo by U.S. Navy via Wikimedia Commons