Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation are pleased to announce the final lineup and all 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 United States Air Force Thunderbirds returning to the Bethpage Air Show for their seventh appearance, the United States 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 World War II 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 be performing at the Bethpage Air Show. 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 US Army Paratrooper and Medal of Valor recipient, and will be joined by four skydivers from the Red Bull Air Force.
Another first for the show, Bethpage is pleased to announce the show’s first Bethpage Air Show app – BP Air Show – which will supply fans with up-to-date parking information, show updates, FAQ’s on parking and transportation, a map of Jones Beach, performer bios and links to their websites and social media pages, a newsfeed, links to the show’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds, a link to the WHLI Live broadcast of the show, information on how to enter the Photo Hunt, and a chance to win four VIP tickets to the 2020 show. The BP Air Show app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play.
Directly from the app, Bethpage will be hosting a Photo Hunt, challenging air show enthusiasts to upload photos of miscellaneous show items only found at Jones Beach during the Bethpage Air Show. Details on how to enter can be found on the BP Air Show App.
The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, one of the largest and most respected air shows in the country, is ranked in the top five by industry experts, and was named one of six air shows to be featured in the second annual 2019 “Grunt Style Air Show Majors Tour.” The tour unites the most prestigious air shows in the country and was developed to help increase mainstream awareness of the air show industry. During the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ most recent headlining appearance in 2017, over 347,000 attended the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the United States Air Force Thunderbirds to Long Island. This year we will be celebrating our 16th anniversary. 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,” said George Gorman the deputy regional director of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
“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 for Bethpage 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 at Jones Beach is sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Newsday, WABC-TV Channel 7, PSEG Long Island, Natural Heritage Trust and Connoisseur Media Long Island. The show can be heard in its entirety on WHLI 1100 and 1370 AM. Bethpage Air Show announcers will lead air show activities from the Jones Beach State Park Central Mall Boardwalk area where food, beverages and ground activities will be available for fans.
The Bethpage Air Show is free to the public, but the standard $10.00 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry to the State Park. For the 2019 NYS Empire Passport holders, there is no vehicle use fee charge.
For up-to-date information about this year’s show, please visit www.bethpageairshow.com or https://www.facebook.com/BethpageAirShow/, or contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Regional Office, Recreation Department at (631) 321-3510.
Submitted by Bethpage Federal Credit Union
