Blue Angels visit KC to announce return to air show

After a three-year hiatus, the Kansas City Aviation Expo and Air Show will return next summer and will feature performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, organizers announced Monday.

“We are delighted,” said Ed Noyallis, the executive director of the air show. “Our last air show was in 2011 and we were to have the Blue Angels in 2013, but sequestration came in and then we were forced to cancel the show because financially it wasn’t possible to do it.”

The air show will be Aug. 22 and 23 at Wheeler Downtown Airport.

Capt. Corrie Mays, Blue Angel No. 8 and events coordinator for the 2015 Blue Angel’s 69th air show season, was one of two pilots who flew into the airport Monday.

“We love being here,” Mays said. “When the air show reached out to us saying they wanted us back, we definitely worked hard to make this happen. It’s always great to be back in places we have been before.”

Mays said they flew in to do preseason planning.

“What we’re going to do today is set the wheels in motion so that between now and the air show, everything goes seamlessly,” Mays said.

There are a lot of things to get done before the show, she said.

“The next time we will be here is going to be the weekend of the show,” she said. “This is our opportunity to get eyes on of the facilities, eyes on the airfield and all of the plans that they have placed so far just to make sure they are looking good and they are going to be set for the show.”

That included making sure hangar and briefing spaces are available. They will also check local accommodations where the team might stay and work out.

The air show will have other performers and ground displays, but Noyallis said they won’t know who the performers will be until after International Council of Airshows Convention in Las Vegas in early December and contracts negotiated.

“The only thing we really need help with is we need sponsorships — companies and so forth to help us to be able to produce the show,” Noyallis said.

Ticket information will be online early next month at www.kcairshow.com. The tickets will be $20 for adults online and $25 at the gate. Children 12 years old and younger are free.

Organizers plan to release more information about the air show on its website as it becomes available.

This story was originally published November 17, 2014 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Blue Angels visit KC to announce return to air show."