21st Annual
Thunder in the Valley Air Show

Saturday, April 7 - Sunday, April 8, 2018
Columbus Airport, Columbus, GA

The Thunder in the Valley Air Show began in 1977 as a local fly-in for aviation enthusiasts and has grown to become one of the largest outdoor family events in the Chattahoochee Valley. The air show brings in top performers from across the United States, all paid for by local and regional sponsors whose products and services are exposed to an average of 10,000 guests each day of the show, and included in advertising that reaches hundreds of thousands before the event. National attention has been given to the Thunder in the Valley Air Show by International Council of Air Shows for excellence in marketing.

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Gates will open at 10:00AM and close at 5:00PM

Ticket Information

Prices:
$10 Advance Ticket
$15 Day of Event Ticket
$8 Advance Military Ticket (only available through MWR Tickets and Travel at Ft. Benning, GA)

Children ages 6 and younger are always FREE.

Cost of ticket includes entry only.

Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America - Discounted tickets are available at the Council Office (1237 First Avenue, Columbus, GA and 706-327-2634.

Tickets for the Thunder in the Valley Air Show will go on sale February 26, 2018.

All tickets are good for one of the two show days, but not both days.

It takes more than a few drops of rain to stop the Thunder in the Valley Air Show! The Air Show will take place - weather permitting - both Saturday and Sunday. Air show performers have high, low, and flat routines to adapt to varying weather conditions. Schedules may be altered, delayed for periods of time, or canceled if heavy rainfall occurs.

Ticket locations:
Columbus-Area McDonald's
Flightways Columbus (at the airport)
Ace Hardware - St. Marys Road
Brusters Real Ice Cream - 1654 Whittlesey Road, Columbus, GA
Brusters Real Ice Cream - 7590 Schomburg Road, Columbus, GA
Brusters Real Ice Cream - 3465 Macon Road, Columbus, GA
Wingstop - 2528 Weems Road, Columbus, GA

Parking Information

Parking Information:
There is free parking for the Thunder in the Valley Air Show at Columbus State University; it includes free shuttle service - Cunningham Center Parking Lot and Lots #5 and #7. Limited parking is available at the airport for $15.00 and Wal-Mart (Airport Thruway) for $10.00. For safety concerns, "no parking" rules will be enforced on Airport Thruway and Moon Road.

 

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"In the Air" and "On the Ground":

U.S. ARMY MANEUVER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE BAND

The U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band will return to Thunder in the Valley. For more than 50 years, the band has taken great pride in entertaining the soldiers, military families and civilians of the Fort Benning, Columbus and Phenix City communities. The Band's performances create espirit de corps among soldiers and veterans, as well as provide patriotic spirit within the civilian community.

MICHAEL WHISKUS

Michael Whiskus, the 2002 U.S. National Aerobatic Champion and a member of the 2004 U.S. Aerobatic Team, puts his high-powered Pitts S-1-11B, aka "The Super Stinker," through a breathtaking routine of high-performance aerobatics as part of Lucas Oil Airshows.

AEROSHELL AEROBATIC TEAM

This quarter of the North American T-6 Texans performs tight, awe-inspiring formation aerial maneuvers in front of millions of airshow fans all over North America. When the smoke comes on and those 600-horsepower radial engines roar, this act is a full-on dose of sensory overload.

KENT PIETSCH

Veteran performer Kent Pietsch returns to Thunder in the Valley with his colorful "Jelly Belly" Interstate Cadet, a 1940s-era classic that he puts through a trio of routines, including a topsy-turvy comedy routine, an engine-out aerobatic performance, and the always-impressive feat of landing on top of a moving RV.

LARRY LABRIOLA

A long-time performer at Thunder in the Valley, Larry flies the Aero L-39 Albatros, a Czech-built, Cold War era jet trainer and fighter. The Albatros is still used by many air forces as an attack aircraft for air-to-ground support missions and tactical reconnaissance purposes. Larry will demonstrate the L-39's capability with an exciting combination of high-speed passes and aerobatic maneuvers.

TIGER FLIGHT FOUNDATION

Tiger Flight Foundation was founded in 2000 by two Atlanta-area pilots to enjoy the challenge of formation flying and to promote a unique aircraft, and a decade later is dedicated to promoting science, math and leadership in area youth.

HIXSON MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

The Hixson Museum of Flight preserves the past by giving life to living, breathing, historical artifacts. One of the best features of the museum is that we have planes that actually fly. The airplane collection currently includes a T-28 "Trojan" Alpha Model, a T-28 "Trojan" Bravo Model, and a 1946 Taylorcraft, Beechcraft C-45, and a 1958 Piper Apache. Vehicles include also a tug and a M38A-1 Jeep.

GRUMMAN C-1A TRADER

Navy Captain Dr. Daniel Serrato's Grumman C-1A Trader. This C.O.D. was a production #031 of an arguable 83-87 ever built by Grumman Aerospace corporation. It is powered by two Wright R-1820 nine cylinder radial engines producing approx. 1525 horsepower each. The propellers are Hamilton Standard 43D51-355 three bladed, full feathering, hydromatic. This Navy-only plane could carry a crew of 3 and 8 passengers or 3500lbs of cargo.

T-28 TROJAN

This North American T-28C Trojan belongs to Dr. Serrato of Columbus, Georgia. It is painted in the colors of VAW-77, the Nightwolves. The Trojan was built as a replacement for the Texan. The T-28C added a tail hook so it could be used to train Naval pilots to land on an aircraft carrier. Over 1,900 of these aircraft were produced and approx. 150 are still airworthy.

SILVER WINGS DEMONSTRATION TEAM

Formed in 1965 by the director of the Airborne Department, the team can trace its origins back to 1958 and members of the Airborne-Ar Mobility Command. The mission of the Silver Wings is to represent the Maneuver of Excellence Center (MCoE), 1-507 PIR Airborne School, The US Army, while demonstrating the free-fall and canopy accuracy capabilities of today's airborne forces. Stations at Ft. Benning, Georgia, each member of the Silver Wings is a qualified parachutist. Members of the team are from a variety of units on Ft. Benning with both military and civilian parachuting/free-fall experience. Since their first jump in August 1965, the Silver Wings have inspired countless airborne students, supported demonstrations around the United States and have been ambassadors of the Airborne School, the MCoE, Ft. Benning and the United States Army.

SKY SOLDIERS

The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation "Sky Soldiers" feature a patriotic demonstration of their Vietnam era Cobra and Huey helicopters. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation is a non-profit public educational foundation dedicated to presenting the Army Aviation story to the American people through narrated, patriotic flying presentations and static displays of the actual aircraft and equipment used by the men and women who served in Army Aviation. Rides in either a Vietnam era Huey or Cobra helicopter can be booked by phone and are piloted by military veterans. All aircrafts are historic, flyable Army Aviation aircraft representing Army Aviation (Vietnam to present) that have been acquired, restored, and maintained by the Foundation. These aircraft will also be on hand for spectator rides (at an additional fee separate from the air show ticket).

STEARMAN FORMATION TEAM

Formed in 2008 by a highly experienced and passionate group of aviators, Stearman Flight is the FAA authorized F.A.S.T. signatory to provide standardized formation training and certification for flight in waivered airspace, such as that found during airshows, for Stearman pilots. The Stearman Formation Team was formed to preserve and fly the magnificent and historic Boeing Stearman Model 75 while paying respect to the men and women who designed, maintained, and flew it in the WWII era. Stearman Flight founders are highly experienced formation pilots, instructiors & check pilots in the Stearman aircraft as well as others such as T-6, Lancair, Bonanza & Military jets. Many are instructor pilots in Stearman Flight, NATA (North American Trainer Association), ABS (American Bonanza Society), & LOBO (Lancair Owners and Builders Organization). Comprised of private Stearman owners from around the Southeast, the team flies formations to honor our service men and women, past, present, and future.

BRITS IN THE VALLEY CAR CLUB

Brits in the Valley was established in 2015 after a few friends with vintage British cars recognized the need for such an organization in the Columbus area. The informal group has grown to more than 35 British cars. On a monthly basis, you can find this group either on a drive to Pine Mountain, wrenching on cars at a tech session, or attending a car show - such as this one in which their own vehicles will be on display at Columbus Airport!

CAMO GROUP LIVING HISTORY

This popular display features tanks, artillery, and armored vehicles employed by the U.S. Army. Air show attendees enjoy an up-close and education look at these pieces that have been used to defend our country in past conflicts.

PLUS flying demonstrations by historic military aircraft, civilian aircraft on display, airplane and helicopter rides, a military encampment experience, a children's carnival, and great food!

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Sponsors for the 2018 Thunder in the Valley Air Show include:

Pratt & Whitney, Wells Fargo, PMB Broadcasting, Ledger-Enquirer, WTVM, Aflac, Columbus Airport, KIA Autosport, Double Tree, Bojangles', WRBL, My Care Urgent Care, TracSoft, Advance Disposal, Davis Broadcasting, Chattahoochee Gutter, Pepsi, AutoTrader.com, Mediacom, Extreme Power Sports, Zaxby's Restaurant, Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment Center, and dozens of other community-minded individuals and organizations.

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The Thunder in the Valley Air Show is a non-profit, family, fun event that is both alcohol-free and tobacco-free. Proceeds from the 2017 air show went to:  17 ASOS UAC, Anne Elizabeth Shepherd Home, Bradfield Center, Chattahoochee Council - BSA, Columbus High School Athletic Association, Columbus Ironclad Division, Columbus Police Department Explorer Post, Early College Academy of Columbus, Ft. Benning trainees, Ft. Benning Santa's Castle, Harris County High School Explorers, Jeeah's Hope, L10:27, May Institute, Northside High School FCCLA, Order of Demolay, Smith Station High School NHS, Storybook Farm and Young Eagles - EAA Chapter 677. 

Please note: By your admission to Thunder in the Valley Air Show, you grant Thunder in the Valley Air Show the right to video/photograph you on the air show grounds for marketing, advertising or broadcasting purposes without payment or consideration thereof.

For more information on the event, or how you can become a sponsor, visit www.thunderinthevalleyairshow.com

Contact the event