Thunderbirds land, capping off performances at the 2019 Vectren Dayton Air Show

UPDATE @ 4:13 p.m.:

The Thunderbirds have landed, concluding the 2019 Vectren Dayton Air Show performances.

Gates will close at 6 p.m.

UPDATE @ 3:20 p.m.:

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have begun their demonstration.

This year marks the 66th year the Thunderbirds have been performing.

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Flying in six General Dynamic F-16 Fighting Falcons, they are known for their precision and professionalism.

 

UPDATE @ 3:04 p.m.:

Shuttle services will be temporarily shut down during the Thunderbirds’ performance.

Safety rules designate that the aerobatic box must stay clear, according to the Vectren Dayton Air Show.

Shuttle services will resume after the Thunderbirds have parked around 4:15 p.m.

UPDATE @ 2:44 p.m.:

The British Sea Harrier has returned to the Vectren Dayton Air Show for the first time since 2012.

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Used by the Britain's Royal Navy, the Sea Harrier is known for its use during the Falklands War.

The Sea Harrier performing at the Air Show is the only privately-owned one in the world and was acquired by a retired Marine Corp pilot, Art Nalls.

It is the oldest surviving Sea Harrier and is one of 76 built.

UPDATE @ 2:26 p.m.:

The F/A-18 Super Hornets are the next performer to take flight.

>> WATCH: Videos from the Air Show

The Super Hornet is the Navy’s premier strike fighter and is a more powerful version of the F-18 Hornet, which is what the Blue Angels fly.

It’s part of this year’s Honor Legacy Flight, flying alongside a Wildcat.

UPDATE @ 2:02 p.m.:

New to the Vectren Dayton Air Show is the C-17 Globemaster III and KC-135 Stratotanker demonstration.

The C-17 is the newest aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory and is one of the largest.

The C-17 can fly up to 590 miles per hour and the KC-135 can hit up to 530 miles per hour.

The C-17 transports equipment, supplies and troops all over the world, with the KC-135 helping refuel aircraft.

Part of Sunday’s demonstration included a refueling using the KC-135.

UPDATE @ 1:44 p.m.:

Sean D. Tucker has returned to the air, this time with Jessy Panzer as part of Team Oracle.

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Tucker, a Living Legend of Flight, is a National Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee with more than 20,000 hours of flying time.

Over half of his maneuvers have never been repeated any other aerobatic pilots.

UPDATE @ 1:39 p.m.:

Audiences pulled their eyes from the skies for a fast and fiery performance by the Shockwave Jet Truck.

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The world’s fastest jet-powered semi, it’s record speed is 376 miles per hour.

It is also the world’s only triple engine truck with 36,000 horsepower.

At today’s Air Show, it reached more than 330 miles per hour.

UPDATE @ 1:27 p.m.:

Jacquie B has taken to the sky.

The first female pilot to enter the air show industry, she has more than 3,200 flight hours and 1,100 coast-to-coast air show performances.

>> ‘Hometown Heroes’ take off in flights with Thunderbirds

Jacquie B learned how to fly at age 32. A decade later, she had saved enough to start aerobatic lessons.

UPDATE @ 1:03 p.m.:

Next up at the Vectren Dayton Air Show are the GEICO Skytypers.
The six vintage SNJ training aircraft's show will feature low-level demonstrations.

The planes trained World War II Navy pilots, with nearly every Allied pilot who flew during the war using a T-6 or SNJ.

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Today, the GEICO Skytypers are showing off their skills in a SNJ-2.

Skytypers can also “type” giant messages in the sky, with each letter standing higher than the Empire State Building.

UPDATE @ 12:40 p.m.:

Following Sean Tucker’s acrobatics, the U.S. Army’s Golden Knight’s parachute team dropped in for the 2019 Vectren Dayton Air Show.

Started in 1959, the Golden Knights are the Army’s official demonstration team. Members come from the Army’s paratroopers and have demonstrated excellent parachuting skills.

UPDATE @ 12:27 p.m.:

The 2019 Vectren Dayton Air Show has begun.

The final day started with jumpers, a flag drop and the National Anthem.

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Sean Tucker is kicking off the performances with acrobatic stunts in his Oracle Challenger III. He’ll return to the skies later today with Jessy Panzer in the Oracle Extra 300L.

 

INITIAL STORY:

Gates are open for the final day of the 2019 Vectren Dayton Air Show with many people already at the Dayton International Airport viewing some of the static displays or lining up chairs for the feature shows.

 

Flying is expected to start around noon and end around 4:15 p.m., with gates closing at 6 p.m.

 

Rains and storms throughout the week led the Air Show to use the alternative parking plan, allowing vehicles to park on paved lots. Parking is available at the Emery/UPS Freight Facility on Old Springfield Road north of the airport.

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