Thunderbirds Redesign Their Airshow Performance

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have redesigned their airshow demonstrations to present a shorter, tighter, more intense show that “tells a story”.

“We started with the [spectator] experience in mind,” said the Thunderbirds lead pilot Col. John Caldwell, who sought to make the performances “more coherent,” and not just a collection of individual maneuvers.

The new routine is meant to build in complexity over time and display the Air Force’s pride, precision, and patriotism. It starts big with all six Thunderbirds F–16s flying a series of vertical maneuvers. Then the pilots shift to close formations near the crowd.

High-speed, crossing maneuvers from multiple directions are next, followed by a graceful interlude in which all six single-engine jets fly together with as little as 18 inches of separation between them.

The changes are among the most significant in the demonstration team’s history. The first was when the jet team was formed in 1953, and the second was in 1983, when members began flying F–16s.

The group also made changes in its “low” and “flat” shows to better align them with performances flown in good weather—and all of them contain new music and narration.

Each performance contains the traditional four-ship “diamond” formation and two opposing solos. And don’t let the sweeping, graceful maneuvers lull you into complacency.

The group’s signature “sneak pass,” in which an F–16 comes up from behind the crowd in afterburner at nearly the speed of sound, is still part of the repertoire.

“If you liked the sneak pass,” Taylor said, “you’ll love the new show.”