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Stuart Air Show Readies for Another Year of Record-Breaking Attendance

October 9, 2015
Pictured above: USAF F-16

It’s Fall. That means once again the Treasure Coast will be host to the Stuart Air Show, the most highly anticipated community event of the year. Join presenting sponsors Sikorsky Aircraft and Pratt & Whitney as the US Navy F-18, US Air Force F-16, and US Army Golden Knights take to the skies over Martin County Airport – Witham Field on Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2015.

This will be the first time that the US Army Golden Knights are featured at the Stuart Air Show. The Golden Knights are widely renowned as the world’s best parachute team. This elite team travels around the Globe performing their aerial demonstrations at air shows and events including major league football and baseball games. The Team has dominated national and international competitions and has already earned the US Army an impressive 2,148 Gold; 1,117 Silver, and 693 Bronze Medals and as broken 348 world records.

While both the US Navy F-18 and US Air Force F-16 have previously appeared at the Stuart Air Show, they are proven to be crowd favorites. Known as the “Hornet,” the F-18 has a top speed of Mach 1.8, the equivalent of 1,190 mph and is equipped to carry a variety of bombs and missiles. Two F404 turbo fan engines ensure the aircraft’s high thrust-to-weight ratio while its characteristic aerodynamic frame allows the aircraft to maneuver easily at top speeds.

The US Air Force F-16, known as the “Fighting Falcon,” is also commonly referred to as the “Viper” by its pilots. Key features include a frameless bubble canopy for maximum visibility, a side-mounted control stick for easy maneuvering, and a seat reclined to 30 degrees to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot. The F-16 is also the first to use a fly-by-wire flight control system which allows the aircraft to be nimble.

The US Navy F-18 and US Air Force F-16 will perform on Saturday and Sunday. The US Army Golden Knights will perform Saturday and Sunday as well as at the Friday night show.



US Navy F-18

Also being featured is John Klatt Airshows sponsored by the Air National Guard. Lt. Col. John Klatt is one of the top aerobatic performance pilots in America. He has thrilled millions of air show spectators for the past decade, with his own unique blend of precision, power and performance. He has served in the Air National Guard for more than 20 years - flying combat, air support and humanitarian missions throughout the world in the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" and the C-130 "Hercules" aircraft.

NEW to this year’s show are Redline Airshows, Bill Stein, and Prowlers of the Pacific.  A full list of performers is available at www.stuartairshow.com.

The Stuart Air Show weekend officially begins on Friday, October 30,2015 with a spectacular night show. With Halloween excitement in the air, families can enjoy Trick-or-Treating and spooky festivities in addition to the heart-stopping aviation performances, fireworks display, and live music. Tickets are available online at www.stuartairshow.com. Food, beverages, and amusement rides are available for purchase.

Also held on Friday night is the exclusive Dirty Flight Suit Party, named in honor of the tradition of the air show’s pilots and performers attending in their flight suits. Guests will enjoy dinner, beverages, premier seating for the Friday night show and entertainment as well as the chance to meet the pilots and performers of the Stuart Air Show. Admission is traditionally reserved to sponsors and VIPs of the show. However, a limited amount of tickets to the Dirty Flight Suit Party are only available online up until October 28 at www.stuartairshow.com. Friday’s festivities are from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.

Gates open at 9:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees are encouraged to come EARLY and enjoy exploring vintage and modern aircraft on static display, an authentic WWII battle reenactment, amusement rides, free Kids Zone, and an “outdoor mall” of vendors and exhibitors.

Over 75 re-enactors come from all over the United States to participate in the WWII Battle that has been held at the Stuart Air Show for the past 5 years. A vast WWII encampment is built on the airfield complete with 15-20 vintage and restored military vehicles. A weapons demonstration highlighting the progression of the Country’s military assets is also a peak moment.



Ford M8 in battle at the 2014 Stuart Air Show


Aviation performances are scheduled to begin at noon and will continue throughout the afternoon.

The Stuart Air Show highlights a sense of community and volunteerism. More than 600 volunteers come out each year to be a part of the Treasure Coasts greatest family adventure. The show provides multiple benefits to the surrounding community through charitable giving, through fundraising opportunities for nonprofit and civic groups at the show, and through its significant impact on the local economy. Designated beneficiaries include the Road to Victory Military Museum, Martin County Community Foundation, Special Olympics, ARC of Martin County, Boy Scouts of America, Civil Air Patrol, Buffalo Soldiers, Martin County Sheriff’s Explorers, City of Stuart Police Department Explorers, and several local JROTC groups.

In response to the record-breaking attendance experience at the 2014 Stuart Air Show, additional bathrooms and additional ATMs have been added.

Also NEW at this year’s show are revised plans for parking and traffic management. After experiencing record-breaking attendance 2014, the Stuart Air Show made the decision to begin working with Jeffrey Shapiro of Solutions Event Services, who has worked with numerous air shows, major sporting events, and large shopping malls to implement effective parking strategies. A preliminary onsite visit of the airfield and existing parking areas was completed this spring which included a full analysis of traffic patterns and meetings with local law enforcement and key airport personnel.

A NEW Premium Parking Lot, available for purchase onsite only for $20 cash, is also in place for this year’s air show. At this time, credit cards cannot be accepted for Premium Parking.

Bags will be checked at the entrance gates. A list of items that are not permitted on the airfield is listed at www.stuartairshow.com and will also be listed on signage prior to reaching the entrance gates.

Pre-sale tickets are available for $15 online at www.stuartairshow.com or by calling 877-577-9463 until October 28. Ticket prices at the gate will be $25. Special pricing is available for Veterans/Active Military and youth. Children under the age of 5 are free. 






About the Stuart Air Show

The Stuart Air Show is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that promotes a safe, family entertainment event, highlights aviation, and provides financial support to its benefiting non-profit organizations including: Martin County Community Foundation, Road to Victory Military Museum, Special Olympics, ARC of Martin County, Civil Air Patrol, Boy Scouts of America, as many well other deserving community charities. The air show offers many different types fundraising opportunities for local non-profit organizations and community groups. Nearly a dozen organizations benefit from the show each year.

If you would like more information about the Stuart Air Show, please contact Elisabeth Glynn at 772-781-4882 x402 or at Elisabeth@stuartairshow.  

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