Thunder over the Boardwalk
Encyclopedia
The Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow
(AKA Atlantic City Airshow) is the annual airshow
held over the Atlantic City boardwalk every August. Since 2003, it has set the bar for beachfront airshows across the United States
and is currently one of the largest airshows in North America
. What sets apart Thunder Over the Boardwalk from other shows, aside from being a beach show, is the fact that the airshow takes place on a Wednesday. The show takes place along the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey
, in front of the world-famous Boardwalk
, with the casino
s in the background. Flybys and demonstrations as high as 15000 feet (4,572 m) and as low as 50 feet (15.2 m) over the water in front of the Atlantic City skyline.
It is produced by a joint venture of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce
, the New Jersey Air National Guard
's 177th Fighter Wing
, the Borgata
Hotel & Spa, David Schultz Airshows, the Press of Atlantic City, and WOND-AM.
, as well as demonstrations from current Air Force
and Navy
aircraft, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II
, AV-8B Harrier, F-14 Tomcat
, F-15 Eagle
, F-15E Strike Eagle
, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon
. Military flybys over the four years of the airshow have included the B-2 Spirit
, C-5 Galaxy
, C-17 Globemaster III
, C-130 Hercules
, C-141 Starlifter
, F-22 Raptor
, KC-10 Extender
, KC-135 Stratotanker
, and the P-3 Orion
. Helicopters that have showed up over the years include the MH-60S Knighthawk, the HH-60 Jayhawk
, the CH-146 Griffon
, and the HH-65 Dauphin (the HH-60 and HH-65 - usually two HH-65s - perform a simultaneous Search & Rescue Demonstration over the water).
Aerobatic performers over the years have included Kirby Chambliss, Doug Dodge, Michael Hunter, John Klatt, and Sean Tucker. The Horseman Mustang Demonstration by Jim Beasley and Ed Shipley have also appeared along with the Skytypers and the Vultures Formation Team. The FAA's William J Hughes Technical Center
at Atlantic City International Airport
has showcased their Convair 440, Boeing 727-100, and Gulfstream in the show as well. The New Jersey State Police
has also shown off their Bell 206
and Sikorski S-76 helicopters in the airshows.
Show center is marked in front of Boardwalk Hall
(Florida Avenue) and the beach. Aircraft staging for the airshow is done at Atlantic City International Airport and at McGuire AFB
, both of which are off-limits to the public.
Also seen were the USAF Heritage Flight
and the US Navy Legacy Flight.
), which kept many of the performers from showing up, including Dale Snodgrass. High winds curtailed the Golden Knights and Black Daggers from jumping and caused sea spray coming off the ocean to ruin any chances for photographers to get decent pictures. The show was still a success, with over 200,000 people attending.
announced they had a show site listed as "TBA" for August 23 - the same date as the Atlantic City show. In March, it was formally announced that the Blue Angels would be joining the Thunderbirds for the 2006 Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow. It was going to be the first time the Blue Angels had ever appeared over Atlantic City and if all of the pieces of the puzzle had fit in place, the biggest airshow in New Jersey.
Joining the Blues and Birds were a slew of performers making their Atlantic City debut, including Sean Tucker, the new F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team, the B-2 Spirit, the F-4 Phantom, and the F-22 Raptor. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 600,000 people attending the airshow, making the 2006 airshow one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City. All of the pieces of the puzzle had fit together nicely and both jet teams held their annual reunion at Atlantic City.
food and beverage service. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 750,000 people attending the airshow, making the 2009 airshow one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City.
The 2009 schedule included the USAF Heritage Flight featuring the F-16, A-10 and 2 P-51's and the US Navy Legacy Flight featuring F/A-18F and F4U Corsair
.
According to the New Jersey State Police
there were over 750,000 people in attendance.
Airshow
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
(AKA Atlantic City Airshow) is the annual airshow
Airshow
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
held over the Atlantic City boardwalk every August. Since 2003, it has set the bar for beachfront airshows across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and is currently one of the largest airshows in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. What sets apart Thunder Over the Boardwalk from other shows, aside from being a beach show, is the fact that the airshow takes place on a Wednesday. The show takes place along the beaches of Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
, in front of the world-famous Boardwalk
Boardwalk
A boardwalk, in the conventional sense, is a wooden walkway for pedestrians and sometimes vehicles, often found along beaches, but they are also common as paths through wetlands, coastal dunes, and other sensitive environments....
, with the casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
s in the background. Flybys and demonstrations as high as 15000 feet (4,572 m) and as low as 50 feet (15.2 m) over the water in front of the Atlantic City skyline.
It is produced by a joint venture of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce
A chamber of commerce is a form of business network, e.g., a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community...
, the New Jersey Air National Guard
New Jersey Air National Guard
The New Jersey Air National Guard consists of almost 2300 Guardsmen from New Jersey.The New Jersey Air National Guard is governed through the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs....
's 177th Fighter Wing
177th Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 177th Fighter Wing is an Air National Guard fighter unit located at Atlantic City IAP, New Jersey.-Mission:Federal Mission: provide combat-ready citizen airmen, aircraft and equipment for worldwide deployment in support of United States Air Force objectives.State...
, the Borgata
Borgata
The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa is a luxury hotel, casino, and spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. It is owned by Marina District Development, a joint venture between Boyd Gaming and a divesture trust established by MGM Resorts International...
Hotel & Spa, David Schultz Airshows, the Press of Atlantic City, and WOND-AM.
About
The airshow itself primarily showcases military aviation, with demonstrations from the USAF Thunderbirds, US Army Golden KnightsUnited States Army Parachute Team
The United States Army Parachute Team, nicknamed and commonly known as the Golden Knights, is a demonstration and competition parachute team of the United States Army...
, as well as demonstrations from current Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
aircraft, such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is an American single-seat, twin-engine, straight-wing jet aircraft developed by Fairchild-Republic in the early 1970s. The A-10 was designed for a United States Air Force requirement to provide close air support for ground forces by attacking tanks,...
, AV-8B Harrier, F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
, F-15 Eagle
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, F-15E Strike Eagle
F-15E Strike Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is an all-weather multirole fighter, derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic warfare aircraft. United States Air Force F-15E Strike...
, and the F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
. Military flybys over the four years of the airshow have included the B-2 Spirit
B-2 Spirit
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is an American heavy bomber with low observable stealth technology designed to penetrate dense anti-aircraft defenses and deploy both conventional and nuclear weapons. The bomber has a crew of two and can drop up to eighty -class JDAM GPS-guided bombs, or sixteen ...
, C-5 Galaxy
C-5 Galaxy
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is a large military transport aircraft built by Lockheed. It provides the United States Air Force with a heavy intercontinental-range strategic airlift capability, one that can carry outsize and oversize cargos, including all air-certifiable cargo. The Galaxy has many...
, C-17 Globemaster III
C-17 Globemaster III
The Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a large military transport aircraft. Developed for the United States Air Force from the 1980s to the early 1990s by McDonnell Douglas, the C-17 is used for rapid strategic airlift of troops and cargo to main operating bases or forward operating bases throughout...
, C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
, C-141 Starlifter
C-141 Starlifter
The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter was a military strategic airlifter in service with the Air Mobility Command of the United States Air Force...
, F-22 Raptor
F-22 Raptor
The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is a single-seat, twin-engine fifth-generation supermaneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology. It was designed primarily as an air superiority fighter, but has additional capabilities that include ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals...
, KC-10 Extender
KC-10 Extender
The McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender is the military adaptation of the three-engined DC-10 airliner for the United States Air Force . The KC-10 incorporates military-specific equipment for its primary roles of transport and aerial refueling. It was developed to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker...
, KC-135 Stratotanker
KC-135 Stratotanker
The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker is an aerial refueling military aircraft. It and the Boeing 707 airliner were developed from the Boeing 367-80 prototype. The KC-135 was the US Air Force's first jet-powered refueling tanker and replaced the KC-97 Stratotanker...
, and the P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
. Helicopters that have showed up over the years include the MH-60S Knighthawk, the HH-60 Jayhawk
HH-60 Jayhawk
The Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness and marine environmental protection missions...
, the CH-146 Griffon
CH-146 Griffon
The Bell CH-146 Griffon is the Canadian military variant of the Bell 412EP, a multi-use utility helicopter. The CH-146 is used in a wide variety of roles, including aerial firepower, reconnaissance, search and rescue and aero-mobility tasks....
, and the HH-65 Dauphin (the HH-60 and HH-65 - usually two HH-65s - perform a simultaneous Search & Rescue Demonstration over the water).
Aerobatic performers over the years have included Kirby Chambliss, Doug Dodge, Michael Hunter, John Klatt, and Sean Tucker. The Horseman Mustang Demonstration by Jim Beasley and Ed Shipley have also appeared along with the Skytypers and the Vultures Formation Team. The FAA's William J Hughes Technical Center
William J. Hughes
William John "Bill" Hughes served as a Democratic Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1995, representing New Jersey’s Second Congressional District which includes major portions of the Jersey Shore and Pine Barrens, the cities of Vineland and Atlantic City, and the counties...
at Atlantic City International Airport
Atlantic City International Airport
Atlantic City International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located nine nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Atlantic City, in Atlantic County, New Jersey...
has showcased their Convair 440, Boeing 727-100, and Gulfstream in the show as well. The New Jersey State Police
New Jersey State Police
The New Jersey State Police is the state police force for the state of New Jersey. It is a general-powers police agency with state wide jurisdiction when requested by the Governor, designated by Troop Sectors.-History:...
has also shown off their Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
and Sikorski S-76 helicopters in the airshows.
Show center is marked in front of Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall
Boardwalk Hall, formally known as the Historic Atlantic City Convention Hall, is an arena in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States...
(Florida Avenue) and the beach. Aircraft staging for the airshow is done at Atlantic City International Airport and at McGuire AFB
McGuire Air Force Base
JB MDL McGuire is a United States Air Force base located approximately south-southeast of Trenton, New Jersey. McGuire is under the jurisdiction of the USAF Air Mobility Command...
, both of which are off-limits to the public.
Also seen were the USAF Heritage Flight
USAF Heritage Flight
USAF Heritage Flight is short for the United States Air Force Heritage Flight. It was created in 1997 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force...
and the US Navy Legacy Flight.
Announcers
The announcers for the Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow have included Gordon Bowman-Jones (2003 and 2005), Howdy McCann (2004 and 2006), and Pinky Kravitz (2003-).2003
The first Atlantic City "Thunder Over the Boardwalk" Airshow took place on August 27, 2003, as a way to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight. Over 200,000 people packed the beach and the Boardwalk to witness one of the best airshows in New Jersey in many years. Headlining that show were the Thunderbirds and the Golden Knights, who have been back to every airshow since then. The show also featured demonstrations from the A-10, F-14, F-15, and F-16, all jam packed into a five and a half hour flying display. The weather was not very favorable, as it was very hazy for the entire day, but all of the performers managed to put on their best show.2004
The 2004 show was held on August 18, and featured the same four demonstrations, as it would be the last time an F-14 Tomcat would fly over Atlantic City, along with the last airshow appearance of a C-141B Starlifter from McGuire AFB, as the type was being withdrawn from active duty service. The skies were about the same as they were in 2003, and all of the performers were able to put on their best shows for over 350,000 airshow fans and beachgoers.2005
The 2005 show was held on August 31, and featured the Thunderbirds once again, but the show was threatened by bad weather inland (caused by the remnants of Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
), which kept many of the performers from showing up, including Dale Snodgrass. High winds curtailed the Golden Knights and Black Daggers from jumping and caused sea spray coming off the ocean to ruin any chances for photographers to get decent pictures. The show was still a success, with over 200,000 people attending.
2006
However, plans for 2006 started nice and early. In December 2005, the Thunderbirds had announced they were returning to Atlantic City for the fourth installment of Thunder Over the Boardwalk. Rumors had started running around the Internet in February 2006 when the Blue AngelsBlue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
announced they had a show site listed as "TBA" for August 23 - the same date as the Atlantic City show. In March, it was formally announced that the Blue Angels would be joining the Thunderbirds for the 2006 Thunder Over the Boardwalk Airshow. It was going to be the first time the Blue Angels had ever appeared over Atlantic City and if all of the pieces of the puzzle had fit in place, the biggest airshow in New Jersey.
Joining the Blues and Birds were a slew of performers making their Atlantic City debut, including Sean Tucker, the new F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team, the B-2 Spirit, the F-4 Phantom, and the F-22 Raptor. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 600,000 people attending the airshow, making the 2006 airshow one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City. All of the pieces of the puzzle had fit together nicely and both jet teams held their annual reunion at Atlantic City.
2009
2009 saw the introduction of the Flightline Club which provided public seating on the beach and also featured a la carteÀ la carte
À la carte is a French language loan phrase meaning "according to the menu", and used in* A reference to a menu of items priced and ordered separately, i.e. the usual operation of restaurants * To order an item from the menu on its own, e.g...
food and beverage service. The weather had turned out to be fantastic, with over 750,000 people attending the airshow, making the 2009 airshow one of the largest events ever held in Atlantic City.
The 2009 schedule included the USAF Heritage Flight featuring the F-16, A-10 and 2 P-51's and the US Navy Legacy Flight featuring F/A-18F and F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
.
2010
The 2010 Atlantic City Airshow “Thunder over the Boardwalk” was held on Wednesday, August 25 – and it came 100 years after Atlantic City and Asbury Park hosted New Jersey’s very first airshows. Scheduled appearances are as follows:- U.S. Air Force ThunderbirdsU.S. Air Force ThunderbirdsThe Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force , based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked USAF jet aircraft...
- U.S. Army Golden Knights
- Brazilian Smoke SquadronSmoke squadronThe Aerial Demonstration Squadron , popularly known as Smoke Squadron is the Brazilian Air Force's air demonstration squadron....
- Rob Holland MX2
- U.S.M.C. Harrier Jump JetHarrier Jump JetThe Harrier, informally referred to as the Jump Jet, is a family of British-designed military jet aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff and landing operations...
- Tom Duffy's B-25 Flybys
- U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet
- Jim Beasley Jr. P-51
- SAF A-10A Thunderbolt II Demo Team
- USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team
- U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration
- Military Flybys (KC-135, F-16, C-17, KC-10, and many more)
- FAA William J Hughes Technical Center Aircraft Flybys
- U.S. Navy E-2C Hawkeye Demonstration
According to the New Jersey State Police
New Jersey State Police
The New Jersey State Police is the state police force for the state of New Jersey. It is a general-powers police agency with state wide jurisdiction when requested by the Governor, designated by Troop Sectors.-History:...
there were over 750,000 people in attendance.