Las Vegas, Nevada December 7th, 2009 – Vectren Dayton Air Show officials learned today that the world renowned US Navy Blue Angels will appear on July 17th and 18th at the 2010 Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger. The announcement was made at the International Council of Air Shows’ annual convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Last appearing in Dayton in 2006, the celebrated US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is eagerly sought after by air show venues all over the world. Performing at 35 show sites during the season, the Blue Angels have been seen by over 400 million spectators since their first demonstration in 1946.
Thrilling audiences for over 60 years, the Blue Angels fly six powerful F/A – 18 Hornets during their tightly choreographed, high-energy demonstration. Blue Angel #7 Lt. Christian “C.J.” Simonsen and Blue Angel #8 Lt Amy “Spur” Tomlinson were in Dayton on November 19th to review team procedures and confirm the show’s acceptability as a Blue Angel show site. The 110-member Squadron is led by Blue Angel #1 Commander Greg “Boss” McWherter along with 15 officers and 94 enlisted personnel. Typically 45 members of the team will travel
to each show site. Hosting the team in Dayton will be GE Aviation Systems of Vandalia, Ohio.
New to Dayton in 2010 will be Pirated Skies, an innovative wing-walking act complete with costumed performers, Kyle Franklin, playing Captain Kyro and his wife, Amanda Younkin-Franklin, portraying his lovely lady. Kyle and Amanda are the children of air show legends Jimmy Franklin and Bobby Younkin. Jimmy and Bobby were both killed in 2005 during an air show in Canada. Kyle and Amanda continue as the third generation of aviators in both families. Their intriguing routine will also feature the Waco “Mystery Ship”. The big bi-plane built in 1940 in Troy, Ohio has undergone numerous modifications over the years and will also be flown by Kyle in a solo routine.
Also added to the lineup is Greg Poe, who will put his new Fagen ethanol-powered MX-2 monoplane through its paces with exhilarating aerobatic maneuvers. A world record holder in multiple aerobatic categories, Greg has also been featured on television on such shows as Modern Marvels, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, and The Discovery Channel.
“This is a fantastic beginning of a blockbuster lineup,” stated Michael Emoff, Chairman of the United States Air & Trade Show Board of Trustees, the governing organization of the show. “It’s just terrific to have the Blues come back to Dayton after three years, and soon the show expects to add more stars to the program,” he added.
All tickets for the 2010 event go on sale today through the show’s web site, www.daytonairshow.com. Spectators may want to consider the ever-popular Family Four Pack as a fantastic Christmas gift. The Pack which includes 4 show tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 Pepsis, 1 souvenir program and free General Admission parking for only $64.95, a 40% savings off the full gate price. Beginning June 7th, deep discount advance tickets will also be conveniently available exclusively at Kroger stores in the Dayton-Cincinnati region.
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Founded in 1975, the Vectren Dayton Air Show Presented by Kroger is one of America’s premier air shows. The Air Show showcases world-class aerobatic champions, military jet demonstrations and entertainment for the whole family celebrating Dayton’s aviation heritage as home of the Wright Brothers, National Museum of the US Air Force and Wright Patterson AFB. For more information visit www.daytonairshow.com
