The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds aerobatic teams touched down Thursday at the New Century AirCenter near Gardner in advance of their weekend performances at the 2021 Kansas City Air Show. The Blue Angels arrived first making a pass over the airfield while in formation. The Thunderbirds arrived later in a similar fashion.
The formation flyover is a fairly tame bit of precision flying compared to what the pilots will be performing during the actual air show which takes place this Saturday and Sunday at New Century.
There are a total of 26 performers that will be dazzling the masses with feats of daring-do and wowing what is expected to be a large crowd. The air show is one of the area’s first large-scale public events since the start of the pandemic. The 2020 show was called off due to the pandemic.
General admission tickets for adults cost $45 on Saturday, $40 on Sunday; $16 for ages 13-17; $9 for ages 6-12; free for ages 5 and under. They can be purchased at kcairshow.org/tickets.
Gates will open at 9 a.m. both days, and the show will start at about 9:30 a.m. Gates will close at about 5 p.m.
Visitors are allowed to bring a folding chair, blanket, umbrella and unopened water bottle. Amenities include concessions, restrooms, water bottle stations and cooling buses. The event will occur rain or shine.
Here are photos of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds arriving at New Century AirCenter.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels arrived at the New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kansas, Thursday, July 1, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. The elite group of pilots will perform over the weekend. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels lined up on the tarmac after arriving Thursday, July 1, at the New Century AirCenter in Gardner, Kansas, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. A member of the maintence team rushed out to the plance. The elite group of pilots will perform over the weekend. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels arrived at the New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kansas, Thursday, July 1, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. The elite group of pilots will perform over the weekend. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels lined up on the tarmac after arriving Thursday, July 1, at the New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kansas, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. The elite group of pilots will perform over the weekend. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the maintenance team worked after the U.S. Navy Blue Angels arrived at the New Century AirCenter Thursday, July 1, preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt flew past the parked Blue Angels at the New Century AirCenter Thursday, July 1, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the Geico Skytypers Airshow Team practiced over the New Century AirCenter Thursday, July 1, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels practiced at the New Century AirCenter Thursday, July 1, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
A member of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels practiced at the New Century AirCenter Thursday, July 1, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
Members of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels practiced at the New Century AirCenter Thursday, July 1, in preparation for the 2021 KC Air Show on Saturday and Sunday. Last year’s air show was canceled due to the pandemic. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly Thursday, July 1, 2021 at New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kan. The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly Thursday, July 1, 2021, at New Century AirCenter near Gardner. The Thunderbirds arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly Thursday, July 1, 2021 at New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kan. The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly, Thursday, July 1, 2021, at New Century AirCenter near Gardner. The Thunderbirds arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Major Michelle Curran speaks with members of the media, Thursday, July 1, 2021 at New Century AirCenter near Gardner. The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Curran is one of five women to fly with the Thunderbirds. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds fly, Thursday, July 1, 2021, at New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kan. The Thunderbirds arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds group up and talk, Thursday, July 1, 2021, at New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kan. The Thunderbirds arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly, Thursday, July 1, 2021, at New Century AirCenter near Gardner.The Thunderbirds arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
The United States Navy Blue Angels fly Thursday, July 1, 2021 at New Century AirCenter near Gardner, Kan. The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels arrived to fly in the KC Air Show this weekend. Rebecca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Visuals Editor Chris Ochsner leads The Star’s talented staff of photojournalists and video producers. He’s had his hand in directing visuals coverage since 2002. Ochsner led the visuals team in its coverage of four Super Bowls and two World Series.
