Under a cloudless, neon blue sky, thousands of people gathered on the beach on Saturday afternoon to watch the 2017 edition of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show.
With temperatures in the 70’s and a light breeze blowing, the crowd was treated to aerobatics by light planes trailing white smoke, and nearly supersonic dives, climbs and aerial maneuvers by an F-16 Viper.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew performed a simulated water rescue and a pilot from Lucas Oil Pitts spun, flew inverted and spewed smoke only feet above the ocean as he pushed his bi-wing plane in crowd pleasing twists and turns.
“I’ve been here for the last five or six years,” said Steve Ferstand, who lives near the beach. “It’s fabulous. I was out here on Friday to watch the Viper practice. It was raining but it was beautiful.”
Miami residents Wendy and Lenny, said it was their second trip to the air show. “We plan on spending the day,” Lenny said. “It’s perfect weather and the show is very exciting.”
Other thrills were provided by the a team of six planes from the Geico Skytypers and a precision flying demonstration by the Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds.
The show continues today.
All photos by Ardy Friedberg
