2023 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach - May 27th and 28th

[Chris S]

The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is only a month away, so it's time to fire up the thread for it again!

Here's the official website link to find out the latest show info:
Bethpage Air Show | at Jones Beach State Park (https://bethpageairshow.com/)

The 2023 Bethpage Air Show will take place Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, from 10AM-3PM.


2023 Confirmed Performers:



US Air Force Thunderbirds
US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Demo
US Navy EA-18G Growler Legacy Team
US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
USCG MH-60T Jayhawk Search and Rescue Demo
Michael Goulian (Extra 330SC)
David Windmiller (Edge 540)
Ed Hamill (Pitts S2C)
American Airpower Museum (Various Warbirds)
Skytypers - SNJ Texan (5 - ship)
Warbird Thunder Airshows - Chris Thomas and Mike Eberhardt (SNJ Texan 2 - ship)
Farmingdale State College Flying Rams

[RepublicAviation]

Looking forward! Always nice when the show is packed with jets. On a jet note, heard a few circle over Republic just now. Wonder what it could be?

[fieldywanb]

Excited to hear and see them again. It's gonna be a great show. I do wish they could sign a few different military acts, maybe get a few military aircraft that have never participated before.

[Chris S]

Looking forward! Always nice when the show is packed with jets. On a jet note, heard a few circle over Republic just now. Wonder what it could be?

FYI - 2 - F-18E Super Hornets from VFA-211 Checkmates landed at FRG on Friday afternoon, but I'm not sure exactly when they'll be departing?

[RCFLYER86]

I think they are here just for regular training flights, definitely not involved with the show.

[bgny61]

FYI - 2 - F-18E Super Hornets from VFA-211 Checkmates landed at FRG on Friday afternoon, but I'm not sure exactly when they'll be departing?

I just happen to see them at FRG yesterday also. I heard they are leaving today (Sunday) something. If anyone gets a time frame let me know :)

[bgny61]

i got some info that the hornets are leaving around 2 today

[Chris S]

i got some info that the hornets are leaving around 2 today

Yeah, the F-18 pilots arrived around 1:45 and they finally took off at 3:20 on RWY 14.

[Chris S]

FYI - I saw the FAA posted the TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) for the Jones Beach Show
and the air space over the beach will be closed on Thurs., May 25th from 5:00PM - 5:45PM
and then daily on Fri., Sat. & Sun (May 26th - 28th) from 10AM to 3PM.
Sounds like the Thunderbirds will be arriving on Thurs., May 25th sometime in the afternnoon
from Colorado Springs and if they arrive in time they might be doing their circles around
Jones Beach on Thursday from 5:00 to 5:45PM

BTW, when I was over at FRG over the weekend I asked some of the ramp guys at the AAM
and Modern Aviation (formerly Sheltair) if they knew if any of the Miltary Jets flying in the
show would be using FRG, and they all said they heard the Thunderbirds, F-35B Demo team
and the EA-18G Growlers would all be using ISP this year unfortunately.
Some good news is that warbirdnews.com just posted a press release from the AAM that they're
expecting to have some Growlers again this year for static display, like they've done the past 2 years!

Here's the press release link on Warbird News from May 10th:
American Airpower Museum's WWII Aircraft Joining Jones Beach Air Show (warbirdsnews.com) (https://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/american-airpower-museums-wwii-aircraft-joining-jones-beach-air-show.html)

[RepublicAviation]

Shame that the jets are all staging from ISP this year, but kind have come to expect it during Thunderbird years. Surprised the Growler Legacy Team is going there as well.

[RCFLYER86]

I can imagine at least in part that they are staying at ISP due to the construction that is happening on Taxiway A at FRG which is next to Runway 14/32.

[dekdawg21]

I can imagine at least in part that they are staying at ISP due to the construction that is happening on Taxiway A at FRG which is next to Runway 14/32.

More about runway length.

[dekdawg21]

Shame the Thunderbirds are coming in late Thursday. Was hoping to head to the beach for circles

[RCFLYER86]

More about runway length.

Was thinking the Growler Team at least could stay at FRG cause they can use 14/32 but who knows the real reason.

[dekdawg21]

Was thinking the Growler Team at least could stay at FRG cause they can use 14/32 but who knows the real reason.

My bad, thought you meant the other demo teams. That is odd though that the Growler demo is using Islip but AMM is having Growlers come in to Republic for static display

[Billbo1970]

Show seems kinda light on performers this year? I miss the old days when we had at least a dozen different teams come in for the show :(

[Chris S]

Show seems kinda light on performers this year? I miss the old days when we had at least a dozen different teams come in for the show :(

Yeah, sadly, the good old days of Air Shows getting many military demo teams and a bunch of warbirds
too are pretty much gone forever unfortunately, except for maybe at Oshkosh and Sun N Fun!
I'm looking forward to seeing the USMC F-35B Demo for the first time in person tearing it up and
hovering over the Atlantic Ocean cause I've always wanted to see the Harrier Demo at Jones Beach!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0mIRCUrk3w
:cool:

[Billbo1970]

Yeah, sadly, the good old days of Air Shows getting many military demo teams and a bunch of warbirds
too are pretty much gone forever unfortunately.:cool:

Yeah, but WHY?! We don't even get the snowbirds coming down anymore... :( I'll never forget that Jones Beach show SEVERAL years ago when we had a TON of military jets, even a B-1 Lancer! That was the best show ever! I have never seen a B2 in person, I hope we get one some day.

[PhoenixOne]

There was a time in the early 2000s the Thunderbirds use to come to FRG. Then (forgot what year) they switch to ISP and been there ever since. Sad we were spoiled when both Thunders AND Blues at FRG.

[alberchico]

Looking at the latest weather forecasts, it's looking more and more that Memorial Day weekend might be a washout. Friday looks like it's going to be the only decent day. :frown::frown:Bummer.

[Speedbagel_001]

There was a time in the early 2000s the Thunderbirds use to come to FRG. Then (forgot what year) they switch to ISP and been there ever since. Sad we were spoiled when both Thunders AND Blues at FRG.

Yes, they did! Their last show where they used FRG was 2009, if I'm not mistaken. More discouraging is that while they are over at ISP, they keep their distance from the public. That's in contrast to the Blue Angels who are very engaging with the public at FRG and park their aircraft front and center for everyone to see up close.

[PhoenixOne]

More discouraging is that while they are over at ISP, they keep their distance from the public..

Sad, but true.

[Surfrod55]

Hello everyone it's been awhile. Is there a ETA for the Thunderbird's at ISP? Thank you.

[Chris S]

Yeah, but WHY?! We don't even get the snowbirds coming down anymore... :( I'll never forget that Jones Beach show SEVERAL years ago when we had a TON of military jets, even a B-1 Lancer! That was the best show ever! I have never seen a B2 in person, I hope we get one some day.

I'm sure the biggest reason comes down to MONEY of course and military budgets also. Look what happened to Air Shows back in 2013 with the US Budget Sequestration
when the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels and all the other US Military Demo teams couldn't fly at any shows that year after March 1st when the budget cuts kicked in!
As far as the Snowbirds goes, they've had their own problems over the past 4 years with I think 3 crashes and they haven't even been able to fly a full schedule in Canada,
since before the pandemic! Looks like their CF-18 Demo budget has been cut also cause they're only flying their Hornet in about 10 shows up in Canada only.

I wish Jones Beach could get more Miltary flybys like the B-1 too. Unfortunately, it looks like shows like the Hyundai Miami Air & Water Show this weekend have better military contacts
than Jones Beach does cause even though that show didn't get the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, they still have B-1, B-2, B-52, C-5, C-17, F-15 and F-16 flybys planned along
with the F-35A and F-18 Super Hornet Demo teams also!! They're also charging about $65 a person for general admission down in Miami, and we only have to pay $10 for parking
and we can pack as many people as we want into our cars at Jones Beach, so I guess you get what you pay for! $$

[Billbo1970]

I wish Jones Beach could get more Miltary flybys like the B-1 too. Unfortunately, it looks like shows like the Hyundai Miami Air & Water Show this weekend have better military contacts
than Jones Beach does cause even though that show didn't get the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, they still have B-1, B-2, B-52, C-5, C-17, F-15 and F-16 flybys planned along
with the F-35A and F-18 Super Hornet Demo teams also!! They're also charging about $65 a person for general admission down in Miami, and we only have to pay $10 for parking
and we can pack as many people as we want into our cars at Jones Beach, so I guess you get what you pay for! $$

Well, that's partly true... the airshow at Stewart Airport upstate charges for shows, but they are only marginally better than what we get at Jones. If money is the only issue, then they can charge more on that weekend to cover the expense... it will still get packed out! It's such a shame, Long Island has such rich a rich history in military aviation... now it's all gone and we get no love. Actually, in civil aviation as well... the Spirit of St Louis took off from Roosevelt Field on LI for it's historic flight. Where is it now? The Smithsonian, instead of The Cradle...

[Innes]

Anyone have information on arrival time on Thursday of the thunderbirds
also does anyone know if #8 is coming in early

[RCFLYER86]

The TFR for Thursday is from 5:00pm to 5:45pm so I presume around those times, but things can always change, and they have been late in past years.

[Fighting Falcon]

Yeah two years ago they didn't use the Thursday TFR. And four years ago they did their circle and arrivals on Friday morning at 9am before the practice (although the solos may have went up Thursday afternoon/evening that year). Fingers crossed for this year.

[RCFLYER86]

I wonder if the F-35 or the Growlers will use the Thursday TFR, I kinda want to head by the beach to see them if they do. Also any word on when the Growlers will be coming in at the Airpower Museum?

[dekdawg21]

There was a time in the early 2000s the Thunderbirds use to come to FRG. Then (forgot what year) they switch to ISP and been there ever since. Sad we were spoiled when both Thunders AND Blues at FRG.

Thunderbirds only used Republic in 2009, before that they used JFK.

[Chris S]

Thunderbirds only used Republic in 2009, before that they used JFK.

The Thunderbirds also used Republic in 2007, and I'll never forget the flybys over FRG with the B-1s that year also !!
The good old days at Republic in 2007 on Air Show weekend >>>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN_HhH0F_fY

[bgny61]

According to Flightradar24, Tbird 8 will be arriving around 4pm today..

[Chris S]

According to Flightradar24, Tbird 8 will be arriving around 4pm today..

Good catch!
Hopefully the rest of the team arrives around the sametime on Thurs. inorder to make the 5:00 TFR at Jones Beach also!

[fieldywanb]

Thunderbird 8 is currently up on flight radar 24, but it is showing as a stratotanker, and it appears it left from March Air Force Base near Anaheim. It does have ISP as it's destination though

[dekdawg21]

The Thunderbirds also used Republic in 2007, and I'll never forget the flybys over FRG with the B-1s that year also !!
The good old days at Republic in 2007 on Air Show weekend >>>

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN_HhH0F_fY

Oh wow, I swore it was just the one year. And I'm still pissed I missed the B-1. That's something different we need back in the show

[Chris S]

Just talked to the AAM and they're expecting 2 Growlers into FRG on Thurs. between 4:00 - 6:00PM at FRG.
Remember they're traveling cross country from WA state with probably 2 fuel stop overs so there could be a delay.

https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg-ak.verticalresponse.com%2Fmedia%2F4%2Fa%2F2%2F4a2b 119581%2F648c31c56f%2Fe2278cc840%2Flibrary%2F2023% 2520MD%2520email%2520blast.jpg&t=1684954453&ymreqid=8018b239-ce8a-bc86-2f2c-5a061e01af00&sig=Hurzw3Qp1VlQw9h42V72wg--~D

[Chris S]

I believe T-Bird#8 has arrived over Long Island cause I just heard a very loud jet on the south shore in the direction of Jones Beach !!

[fieldywanb]

I believe T-Bird#8 has arrived over Long Island cause I just heard a very loud jet on the south shore in the direction of Jones Beach !!

Came here to post this, hearing it in Seaford

[imyrless]

Hi since the Thunderbirds aren't sleeping at FRG this year, then what channel/frequency on LiveATC would be best to hear what's going on? I'm planning to take a drive to the beach tomorrow in case they have a short practice. Worst case if they don't show up...I get some time at the beach :-)

Thanks for any ideas. -Dave-

[Chris S]

FYI - Heard the USMC F-35B Demo team is due into ISP around 2:30 today.

[bgny61]

FYI - Heard the USMC F-35B Demo team is due into ISP around 2:30 today.

Awesome. I saw the Thunderbird C-17 is due around 4:00 also. The Growler Team is headed to Islip as well aren't they?

[WW2 Warbirds]

Hi since the Thunderbirds aren't sleeping at FRG this year, then what channel/frequency on LiveATC would be best to hear what's going on? I'm planning to take a drive to the beach tomorrow in case they have a short practice. Worst case if they don't show up...I get some time at the beach :-)

Thanks for any ideas. -Dave-

I heard Thunderbird 8 on Islip Tower Frequency 119.3 yesterday. Not sure if they will be active, but late last night I decided to program in the Military Islip frequencies as well. They are 239.300 and 335.500. I can also post the discreet frequencies used by the Thunderbirds as well. But they are not going to be useful to anybody unless you have a military scanner. If anybody wants them let me know. If you are going for a catch all frequency, I would recommend the Air Boss frequency 128.250. This frequency is normally used for Farmingdale ground control. But is used exclusively during the air show.

[RCFLYER86]

Growler Team commented on their Instagram that they are expecting 6pm arrival at MacArthur.

[RCFLYER86]

Golden Knights are showing about 2 pm arrival time at FRG on FlightRadar24 as well now.

[imyrless]

FYI - Heard the USMC F-35B Demo team is due into ISP around 2:30 today.

Thanks for the info. My only experience watching planes at ISP is when I’m flying Southwest or dropping the wife off at Southwest. Is there a “best” place to hang to see/photo the aircraft as they arrive?

Tnx.

[bgny61]

Looking at Flightaware, The Tbirds are enroute and should be here around 5pm, The C-17 Around 5:25 or so.

[imyrless]

Tnx!! Let’s hope they hang by the beach for a quick practice. Possible??

[Chris S]

The F-35B's just got cleared to land on Rwy 6 at ISP

[bgny61]

I saw the 35s'

[RCFLYER86]

Any chance the F-35s/Growlers will do circles during the TFR at 5 if the T-Birds are late?

[Chris S]

Thunderbirds did a nice job with their circles down at the beach at 5:00, and you couldn't have asked for better weather !!
BTW, on my way out to the parking lot just after 6:00 I saw 2 Growlers fly over the Jones Beach Tower that were heading to ISP.

Apparently the 2 static Growlers due into FRG for the AAM have been delayed according to this post on their FB page:

Excited to Welcome back the United States Navy (https://www.facebook.com/United-States-Navy-109978745694912/?__cft__[0]=AZUEfOv0BkmkatuinnHj74ipdQZ9tHsnZfhQNcshZg00nmetq XAh1G1NsWubIK9Yihly65uv0Qychy0Aoh8lMrz4C1TzVoKuBa1 2XsXHt-Zq4whvaM5CE7QqCGXEbQb95plEtM1-F4NmssSToJkd6WCxYtAPn6a3F6M_DIPF03SBW-zKAQ6qxEQjzOmvAR0n-fg&__tn__=kK-R) EA-18G Growlers to the American Airpower Museum (https://www.facebook.com/Americanairpowermuseum?__cft__[0]=AZUEfOv0BkmkatuinnHj74ipdQZ9tHsnZfhQNcshZg00nmetq XAh1G1NsWubIK9Yihly65uv0Qychy0Aoh8lMrz4C1TzVoKuBa1 2XsXHt-Zq4whvaM5CE7QqCGXEbQb95plEtM1-F4NmssSToJkd6WCxYtAPn6a3F6M_DIPF03SBW-zKAQ6qxEQjzOmvAR0n-fg&__tn__=-]K-R) this Memorial Day Weekend!
They will be on static display Saturday May 27th until their departure on Monday 29 May. Arrival will be late Friday evening.
Be advised that the museum will be closed for the day by the time they arrive.
They will depart during Monday's Flight Operations during normal business hours.


https://www.facebook.com/Americanairpowermuseum/posts/pfbid02ZSC2m7eNJFDndnPVW8kS4efpD3X6EkVTgWF4aa4JWya ha6nDpuYNKBSpywFzTqSKl

[Chris S]

Also, forgot to mention they have a Blackhawk helicopter and Apache Helicopter already set up
on static display in front of the West Bath house at Jones Beach also which was very cool to see!!

[bgny61]

Anyone know what time the F-35s' and Growlers will take off for Practice tomorrow at Islip?

[TJK]

Anyone have the flying schedule for Saturday and Sunday yet? Also, where is the best spot for the growler/ F35 and T-Bird departures/ recoveries on Saturday/ Sunday at Islip.

[fieldywanb]

What a perfect day for practice. Does anyone know why the f35 cut their practice short?

[RepublicAviation]

What a perfect day for practice. Does anyone know why the f35 cut their practice short?

Not sure, but I did notice a trail of smoke/fuel coming from the exhaust when he was starting to transition into the hover.

[Chris S]

Not sure about Sat. and Sun. schedules but these are the approximate times the Demo teams flew today:
Thunderbirds Diamond practice from 10:10 to 10:50
Growlers Demo around 11:40
F-35B Demo around 12:15 - 12:30 (Unfortunately it had to stop it's demo just before the hovering part for some mechanical issues and headed back to ISP.
Thunderbirds Practice Demo just after 2:00.

[FRG]

Just saw the Growlers (I assume) fly by in Lido Beach

[bgny61]

I was at Islip today and listening to tower freq. The F-35 had a landing gear indicator light come on as well.

[Chris S]

Growlers did a break to land around 7:20 tonight at FRG on RWY 32. Unfortunately there was some last minute
RWY changes by the Control Tower that really messed things up trying get any decent shots of it in the golden light!

[RCFLYER86]

Good show today, seems like the T-Birds didn’t perform a few maneuvers and their last pass only had 5 jets. Also it was nice to see the Skytypers once again as I thought last year was going to be their last year.

[Chris S]

It was a good show and the weather was perfect. The 2 ship Growler Demo really brought the noise and it was
very cool seeing the F-35B Demo for the first time in person, especially when it was hovering over the Atlantic.
It was just too bad they weren't able to have a Corsair fly in formation with the 2 Growlers during the Legacy flight.
Thunderbirds did a great show and I'm not sure what happened with that one Thunderbird but saw it made it back
safely to ISP cause I saw it on this video from Jake24, who did a great job catching all of the shows departures and
arrivals out at ISP yesterday:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqLuw3m7mDc

[dekdawg21]

So is Islip now spotter friendly? Looks like a good group along the fences

[RCFLYER86]

I’m guessing they didn’t feel like enforcing it. Anyway it looked like the thunderbirds had another jet return early today saw it land at ISP before the delta returned.

[Chris S]

Read in the comments of Jake24's video that apparently T-Bird #6 had a bird strike on Saturday just before the Finale and returned to ISP right away.
I guess the Suffolk police were just being softies on Saturday, cause you can even see one Suffolk Police Car inside the fence line driving on the perimeter
road when the Growlers were landing, and it didn't seem to bother him that people were standing outside the fenceline watching or even standing on ladders!
I was at the AAM today, but heard the Growler Demo really tore it up over the beach today and saw pics that it was a vaporfest with the F-35B also!

BTW, heard the Thunderbirds, F-35B and Growler Demo teams are all scheduled to leave ISP on Tues, but don't have any ETD times unfortunately.
I talked to the crew of the (2) Growlers on static display at FRG today and they are shooting for a 10:30 AM departure on Monday cause
they've got at least 7 to 9 hours of travel time back to their homebase at NAS Whidbey Island in WA, including 2 fuel stop overs also.

[Chris S]

Hats off to Jake 24 for his great video coverage going back and forth between FRG, ISP and Jones Beach
this week catching arrivals, departures, practices and shows and posting them on Youtube! Bravo!

Thursday Arrivals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAvosYxKKBw

[Chris S]

Friday Practice show and Growlers arrival at FRG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKDwIOKKC5E

[Chris S]

Thunderbirds Sneak Pass compilation video from Sunday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RoHaMfXsA0

[Chris S]

Newsday reported that the estimated crowd on Sat. was 100,000 and on Sun. it almost doubled as the beach and boardwalk
drew a capacity crowd of 192,000 and I saw the State Police even had to close down Wantagh Pkwy going south at Merrick Rd!
Saw that Jake 24 posted his video from Sunday's show and the Growlers really tore it up with some great vapor passes!!
BTW, I see that the Thunderbirds ended up with 5 aircraft once again on their final pass?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNa26Gi62Z8

[dekdawg21]

Sounds like the Thunderbirds had issues both days. Yesterday (Sunday) I heard one and went outside. I live just north of Islip and was able to see them do their pitch up for landing but on Sunday around 2:30ish this one flew right over my house smoke on. Was very odd as I'm not in any flight paths. Rest of the delta came 10 minutes behind and where they normally would be for landing.

[RCFLYER86]

Yeah the number 6 jet came in on the right downwind and landed on Runway 24 while the other 5 jets landed on Runway 6.

[dekdawg21]

Sounds like the Thunderbirds just left and they are showing on flightradar heading to Colorado

[Chris S]

Yeah, the Thunderbirds departed on RWY 6 at 11:30, the (3) Growlers departed on RWY 24 at 12:50,
and the C-17 for the Thunderbirds from McChord departed on RWY 6 at 1:30 from ISP yesterday!
As of 1:30 yesterday there was still one F-35B left on the tarmac, and it might be stuck there with
mechanical issues, because I know the other F-35B had already departed either on Sunday or Monday.
Anyway, that's pretty much a wrap for the show this year!