Royal Air Force jet team joins Navy Blue Angels at unprecedented Spirit of St. Louis Air Show
First-ever St. Louis visit for the British military team
One of only three worldwide airshows featuring both renown Blue Angels and Red Arrows
The Royal Air Force Red Arrows, one of Europe’s premier jet aerobatic teams, will appear along with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at the 2019 Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo, one of only two air shows worldwide where the two world-class teams will perform together.
The two jet demonstration teams will perform both on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8.
“Our team strives to reach new levels each time we stage an air show, but we were incredibly excited when the Red Arrows recently added us to their North American schedule,” said John Bales, president of the air show committee. “This truly will be an air show like no other.”
The Blue Angels last performed at the Spirit of St. Louis Air Show in 2016. Always drawing huge crowds, the team demonstrates the precision and professionalism of naval aviation in its trademark blue and yellow Boeing F/A-18 Hornets. The team’s St. Louis appearance will be one of 32 locations in 2019.
The Red Arrows have never before performed in St. Louis. Formed in 1965, the team is defined by its “Diamond Nine” formation flying the BAE Systems Hawk jet. The team is beginning its North American tour in July and will visit only six U.S. locations.
The two-day Spirit of St. Louis Air Show & STEM Expo also will feature numerous other flying and on-ground demonstrations. The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter will rattle the skies above the Chesterfield, Mo., airport performing maneuvers no other American jet fight can execute. Skip Stewart will leave jaws open and hearts stopped by keeping his Pitts biplane closer to the ground than anyone should. And the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team will show the power and grace of their World War II era T-6 Texans in beautiful formation above the crowds.
One of the most important aspects of the event, however, is the interactive STEM Expo, where young people can experience the power of science, technology, engineering and math and how it can empower them in a future in areas line aerospace.
“We have a terrific lineup of schools, colleges and businesses who are anxious to show all that this region is doing create futures for our next generation and keep the legacy of aviation alive in St. Louis,” said Ashley McMichael, STEM coordinator for the air show.
Tickets for the air show are sold on-line only. More information on the air show and ticket sales is available at www.spirit-airshow.com.
Information about the Royal Air Force Red Arrows is available at www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows/
Information about the U.S. Navy Blue Angels is available at www.blueangels.navy.mil.
Contact:
Paul Guse, pguse@rocketmail.com, 618-580-9183
Mark Sutherland, msutherland@spirit-airshow.com