{"id":59593,"date":"2015-01-09T23:31:41","date_gmt":"2015-01-10T07:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theavtimes.com\/?p=59593"},"modified":"2015-01-13T18:14:28","modified_gmt":"2015-01-14T02:14:28","slug":"upcoming-air-show-anticipates-performance-of-usaf-thunderbirds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2015\/01\/09\/upcoming-air-show-anticipates-performance-of-usaf-thunderbirds\/","title":{"rendered":"Air show anticipates performance of USAF Thunderbirds"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Fighting<\/a>
Fighting Falcon arrives at a press conference Jan. 9 after completing a thorough site survey in preparation for a performance by the USAF Thunderbirds on March 21-22. (Photo by Jim E. Winburn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LANCASTER – Representatives of the Los Angeles County Air Show held a press conference at Fox Airfield Friday morning to announce that the USAF Thunderbirds will headline the 2015 Los Angeles County Air Show March 21-22.<\/p>\n

Performing several flybys in a Lockheed Martin F-16D Fighting Falcon, USAF Thunderbird advance pilot Maj. Scott S. Petz completed a site survey of Fox Airfield and surrounding areas in preparation for his team’s appearance in March.<\/p>\n

Maj. Petz told the crowd of aviation enthusiasts that he just performed “some pretty awesome low altitude flying\u2026 and the airfield looks awesome.”<\/p>\n

\"USAF<\/a>
USAF Thunderbird advance pilot Maj. Scott S. Petz addresses aviation enthusiasts at the 2015 Los Angeles County Air Show press conference. (Jim E. Winburn)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He said he was not only excited to put on a great air show for locals in March, but that he appreciated the work that organizers and volunteers were putting into the upcoming show.<\/p>\n

“Bottom line, I love aviation, aviation enthusiasts and putting on an air show like this,” Maj. Petz said. “And I’ve been on your side. I’ve done the leg work as far as how much work goes into it, and it’s a ton of work. So the Thunderbirds and myself thank you for all the hard work.”<\/p>\n

Dennis Dunbar, director of the Los Angeles County Air Show, said last year’s inaugural show proved how volunteers and sponsorships are critical to getting the air show off the ground.<\/p>\n

“We really couldn’t do it without the partnership we had with this city, the county, our local business owners and volunteers,” Dunbar said. “It really does take a village to put a show like this on, and what a wonderful community to be part of.”<\/p>\n

Dunbar said the air show has about 500 volunteers, which he called the “heartbeat of this organization that represents the cradle of aviation that is this Aerospace Valley.”<\/p>\n

He said the air show could not exist without these volunteers, nor could the event take place without sponsors from the community.<\/p>\n

Dunbar then announced that Lockheed Martin would be the title sponsor for this year’s air show, explaining that the aerospace and defense giant’s support for education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math is a critically aligned with the air show’s mission to encourage a STEM-focus experience for students throughout the community.<\/p>\n

Other sponsors to date include Southern California Toyota Dealers and Sierra Toyota.<\/p>\n

Event representatives also noted that the LA County Air Show will be the USAF Thunderbirds’ first air show appearance on the west coast in 2015. The March event will also feature a variety of other jets, world-famous aerobatic performers and historic aircraft for aviation fans of all ages, officials said.<\/p>\n

Aviation enthusiasts may purchase tickets and keep up to date on the air show’s news, performers and attractions by visiting www.lacountyairshow.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

USAF Thunderbird advance pilot Maj. Scott S. Petz performs flyby<\/strong><\/h3>\n