The U.S. Navy Blue Angels top the list of attractions this weekend at the annual Dayton Air Show. The aerial team arrived Thursday after a morning fly-over in Cincinnati.
The US Marine Corps Harrier jet and the Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue parachute team are also set to appear.
Air Show spokesman Tim Gaffney says community support has been strong as the air show looks to rebound from the sequester which forced the Thunderbirds to pull out of the show last year.
"We've been really happy to see the continued support we're getting from the community," says Gaffeny. "Our sponsors have been outstanding. We've had good advance sales on tickets. Everything looks like we're going to have a really good show this year and we're just really happy that everyone has stuck with us through last year and that they're coming back for a good show this year."
Gaffney says extra safety staff will be on site following last year's deadly accident when a stunt pilot and a wing-walker died in a fiery crash in front of thousands of spectators.
"We didn't have to make any changes in our safety procedures as a result of last year's accident," says Gaffney. "There were no deficiencies found in our preparations or our emergency response. However, there was an accident at another air show elsewhere this year and as a result of that accident, performers have asked us to place an emergency response vehicle at the show's center so we've done that at the request of the performers."
The air show runs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates the show adds $3.2 million to the region’s economy every year.
