The Great Pacific Airshow

October 19-21, 2018 | 11:30 AM - 4PM

Practice performances will commence around 11:00AM - 4PM Friday October 19

3rd annual show line-up will feature the USAF Thunderbirds, in what is sure to be a spectacular event. The Huntington Beach Airshow is free to the public with a large event footprint spanning Huntington City Beach from Seapoint to Beach Boulevard. Make it a day down at the beach and grab a bonfire pit to cook out while watching the show. Or grab a bite to eat at restaurants like Duke's, Sandy's that are right by the Huntington Beach Pier or Jack's and Zack's that are right by the viewing area of the airshow. Parking will be available but is limited, and any frequent questions about the show can be found here. In addition, there will be RV parking and VIP tickets available.

Exclusive Rooftop Viewing

The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel Exclusive Rooftop Viewing. 

• Top Gun Theme
• Golden Road Brewery Aviation Gift Bag 
• $250 Per Person, Valet Parking Included
• Reservations click here

Location

Show center is located across Pacific Coast Highway- across from The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel. Anywhere along the beach north or south of this location will be a terrific spot to view the show.

• Beach guests should anticipate little to no shade. Bring a beach umbrella if you need a shaded area.
• Handicap seating area on the pier will be available on a first come first served basis. Please be aware that no transportation is offered from your vehicle to and around the airshow site. 
• Yes, you can watch the airshow from a boat on the water. Boaters should refer to the US Coast Guard notice to mariners for further location information.
• Yes, you can swim and surf during the show however expect to only be able to swim in waist deep water during the show time.

Line Up 

1. USAF Thunderbirds 
2. Jeff Bourboon & Yak-110
3. Paul "Sticky" Strickland
4. Bill Stein
5. Michael Wiskus
6. Matt Chapman
7. Sammy Mason 
8. Lyon Air Museum's C-47 Dakota
9. Greg Colyer
10. FedEx-757
11. SOCOM Para Commandos
12. U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and KC 135 Stratotanker
13. US Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demonstration 

Parking 

Parking will be available on a first come, first served basis around the city. Parking will be difficult to find and will increase to $30 per day. Hourly rates are available at the Pier Plaza lot and Main Promenade Parking Structure. Yearly and monthly pass holders will not be charged. Delays and queues are expected throughout the city due to the sheer volume of traffic anticipation. Guests are advised to leaved early and expect frequent delays or to seek alternative transportation to the show. Limited Uber drivers & Lyft drivers will be available. Biking or walking are suggested for those who live / are staying close. 

RV Parking 

Reservations are limited and will be provided on a first come first served basis. Please submit your reservation request here and a Sunset Vista Representative will reach out to confirm and process payment. reservations close at 5:00 PM on October, 12, 2018. 

Dates: Camping will take place from 10/18 to 10/22. Check-in will begin at noon on 10/18 and all campers must be out by noon on Oct. 22. 

Cost: $1,600 per site for 4 nights (10/18-10/22) and $1,200 for 3 nights (10/19-10/22) 

Sites: Front row (beach front) sites will accommodate RV’s up to 30’ in length and the second row will accommodate a maximum of 46’. Electricity and water hookups are provided and a dump station is available. 

What’s Included: There are a maximum of 2 vehicles. This may be an RV plus one car or it may be a trailer and the tow vehicle. The second vehicle must be kept in the camping space. Any additional vehicles will be charged the daily rate for each day. 

Reservations: Reservations may be made here or in person at: Sunset Vista, 103 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 

• Sites will be assigned. If you want to request a space next to another camper the request must be included in the application.
• Reservations will not be accepted if received after 5p.m. on 10/12/18.
• All standard Sunset Vista rules will apply. 

PLEASE DIRECT ALL INQUIRIES TO SUNSET VISTA: SUNSETVISTACAMPING@SURFCITY-HB.ORG 

Shuttle

Park and ride shuttle service to show center on Pacific Coast Highway, OCTA Zone 3 (across from Pacific City)
Huntington Beach High School (1905 Main Street, enter off Utica Avenue) - 10 am to 6 pm
Huntington Beach Civic Center (2000 Main Street) - 10 am to 6 pm
Complimentary shuttles will run every half hour. Last shuttle departs show center at 5:30 pm.

Regular weekend service will NOT be running during the Great Pacific Airshow. Also, please note there will be no shuttle service on Friday, October 19. Live GPS tracking will be available for all service shuttles.

VIP Tickets

VIP Event Tickets are available for purchase. Buy your VIP tickets here. 

Note: Parking is not included in any VIP purchase. 

Thunderbirds

Officially, the Thunderbirds are known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron.

• They perform 40 maneuvers
• 75 minutes air demonstration 
• Thunderbirds air demonstrations is a mix of formation flying and solo routines
• The four-jet diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of the Air force pilots
• The lead and opposing solo aircraft highlight the max. capabilities of the F-16 Flighting Falcon 
• Thunderbirds performs no more than 80 air demonstrations each year
• Thunderbirds officially activated June 1, 1953
• Since aircraft are only slightly modified, they can be made combat-ready in less than 72 hours

Jeff Bourboon & YAK - 110

Jeff is no stranger to The Great Pacific Airshow. Fans may remember his Screaming Sasquatch, the jet propelled biplane that performed in 2016. Making its West Coast debut and bringing twice the excitement to Huntington Beach at this year’s Airshow is Jeff Boerboon’s Yak 110. This one-of-a-kind aircraft is made of two fuselages, two propellers, one jet engine and one pilot. Jeff also currently flies for Southwest Airlines.

Paul "Sticky" Strickland

“Sticky” is a retired USAF A-10, F-5, and F-16 fighter pilot with 270 combat hours and 3000 total fighter hours. He served as the Slot #4 pilot with the USAF Air Demonstration Squadron “Thunderbirds” and currently flies for Southwest Airlines.

Bill Stein

Seasoned airshow professional and fan-favorite, Bill Stein will be flying his Edge 540. Bill began flying aerobatics when he was still a student pilot and has performed at air shows all across the United States for more than two decades 

Michael Wiskus

Lucas Oil’s Mike Wiskus is another experienced professional who has been flying planes for over 40 years. In fact, Mike has never had any other job. He will be flying Lucas Oil’s stunt plane “Super Stinker,” formally known as the S-1-11B. This plane has been redesigned from its original build to reach new heights.

Matt Chapman 

Matt Chapman is recognized as an extraordinary aerobatic pilot who thrills millions of airshow fans each year. He began flying aerobatics in 1984, and competed for some time. Matt was honored with the Hilliard Trophy when he became the highest finishing U.S. pilot in the World Aerobatic Championships. Sponsored by Embry Riddle, Matt inspired young people to pursue a career in aviation. He also flies for a major air carrier and has logged tens of thousands of hours.

Sammy Mason

Still in his early 20s, Sammy Mason is one of the younger pilots in the air show scene. He flies aerobatics in a Pitts S-1S that once served as a restoration project for his entire family with Sammy flying the aircrafts first test flight. He first began performing aerobatics in a motorglider at age 16 and in 2014 became the youngest member of the U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team at age 19. He has logged 2,000 hours of flight in more than 50 aircraft types.

Lyon Air Museum's C-47 Dakota 

Known as the “Willa Dean,” the Lyon Air Museum’s C-47 is one of the most complete and original C-47s currently in operation and has been flying since 1941. The Lyon Air Museum was founded by Major General William Lyon and is located in Orange County, CA. On exhibit at the museum are authentic aircraft, rare vehicles and related memorabilia with an emphasis on the defining event of the 20th Century – World War II.

Greg Colyer

Flying another piece of history is Greg Colyer who will fly a T-33 he named the “Ace Maker,” the U.S. Air Force’s first operational jet. Colyer took his first flight at age 7 and has been hooked ever since. He has been flying for more than three decades after serving in the U.S. Army in the 1980’s. He began flying T-33’s in 2007 and soon after acquired the T-33 he flies in airshows across the country. He founded a non-profit to help preserve these aircraft.

FedEx 757

Returning for its third year will be the FedEx 757. This transport aircraft thrilled the crowds in 2017 when during a low, high speed pass the Boeing 757 achieved aerodynamic contrails, or vapor, over the wings.

SOCOM Para Commandos

The SOCOM Para-Commandos are the only joint service parachute demonstration team in the U.S. military. These Special Operations team members are selected after a rigorous training program and participate in this team in addition to their regular duties.

U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and KC 135 Stratotanker

Flying in this year’s airshow is a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, one the largest military transport aircraft, and a KC 135 Stratotanker. These two aircraft will perform a simulated air-to-air refueling demonstration.

US Coast Guard Search and Rescue Demonstration 

Search and Rescue (SAR) is one of the Coast Guard's oldest missions with a top priority of minimizing the loss of life, injury or property in the maritime environment. This highly trained team will display their globally recognized skills for the airshow crowd in Huntington Beach.

Helpful Tips:

Pilots don't fly without a checklist, why should you? Use this checklist of helpful tips to optimize your Airshow experience:

• NO DRONE ZONE
• Bring beach chairs or a beach towel for seating
• There is no schedule of the acts given out. The show is from 12 PM - 4PM
• Practice performances will commence around 12 PM - 4PM Friday October 19
• Be prepared for traffic delays
• Obey all posted parking signs. The last thing you want after a fun day is a parking ticket. 
• Hydrate, hydrate hydrate! 
• Bring sunglasses, a hat and umbrellas
• For more information, CONTACT (714) 536-5286