LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – The Kentucky Derby Festival announced its theme and a long list of air show acts for this year’s Thunder Over Louisville.
Thunder is set for Saturday, April 18, 2020 on the waterfront in downtown Louisville. This year's theme is "Thunder's Greatest Hits," so the fireworks will feature the greatest hits from the past 30 years of Thunder soundtracks.
The Thunder air show is also getting more room to fly. A Category 1 air box has been approved by aviation officials, which means the loud, fast planes everyone enjoys will be able to use a larger space to maneuver and turn around. A smaller Category 2 air box was put in place in 2015 because of bridge construction on the Ohio River. Now that the Lincoln Bridge is complete and the Clark Memorial bridge is painted, the restrictions have been lifted.
The list of air show acts and performers continues to grow as Thunder approaches. KDF president and CEO Matt Gibson says the air show will include performances by the U.S. Navy F-35 Demo, U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Demo and the return of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. Thunder fans will get to see the Wild Blue RV8 for the first time. It's a night time tribute show to recognize first responders.
Thunder Over Louisville is the opening ceremony of the Kentucky Derby Festival. The day spotlights one of the top five air shows in the U.S. and the nation's largest annual fireworks event. The Festival includes more than 70 events leading up to the Kentucky Derby on May 2.
The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest purpose-built cargo aircraft to enter the United States and Western air forces. It is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. This aircraft is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required, as well as aeromedical evacuation. The flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
Length: 174 ft
Height: 55 ft
Wingspan: 169 ft
Max speed: 520 mph
Range: can fly 2,800 miles without refueling
Crew: 3; pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster
The McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet, also called the CF-188, is a Royal Canadian Air Force fighter aircraft. It’s based on the American F/A 18 Hornet. A versatile, world-class fighter aircraft, the supersonic CF-18 can engage both ground and aerial targets. Its twin engines generate enough thrust to lift 24 full-size pick-up trucks off the ground. The underside of the CF-18 features a painted “false canopy” intended to momentarily disorient an enemy in air-to-air combat. A recent modernization project will extend the life of the C/F 18 through the middle of the next decade.
Crew: 1 or 2
Length: 56 ft.
Wingspan: 40 ft.
Height: 15 ft., 4 in.
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
The A-10 Warthog close air support attack aircraft is designed to protect ground forces by attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets. Also known as the Thunderbolt, the Flying Gun, and the Tankbuster. During the first Gulf War, the slow but powerful A-10 proved itself a devastating weapon against enemy tanks. It was also used in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches
Length: 53 ft 4 in
Height: 14 ft 8 in
Maximum Speed: 439 mph
Entered service in 1975
The AH-1W Super Cobra is a two-place, twin-engine, day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides en route escort for assault helicopters and their embarked forces. It had been the only western attack helicopter with a proven air-to-air and anti-radar missile capability. The AH-1 Cobra was developed in the mid-1960s as an interim gunship for the U.S. Army for use in Vietnam.
Length: 53 ft. 5 in.
Height: 13 ft. 5 in.
Rotor Diameter: 43 ft. 11 in.
Max Speed: 175 MPH
Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot/gunner)
C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. Over 40 models of the Hercules serve with more than 50 nations.Primary users include U.S. Air Force, Roydal Air Force, Canadian Forces, Royal Australian Air Force and the Pakistan Air Force.Nearly 2,300 C-130s had been built as of 2006 at a cost of $66.5 million each.
Length: 97 ft 9 in
Height: 38 feet 3 in
Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in
Max speed: 379 mph
Crew: 4-6: at least 2 pilots, 1 flight engineer , and 1 loadmaster; additional loadmaster and navigator are usually part of the crew
Canadian designed and built twin-engine, medium-range transport aircraft. Manufactured by deHavilland Canada. Design is known to be very quiet. Two Dash-8 aircraft were acquired for the Canadian Air Mobility Tasking in NATO for moving personnel and paraphernalia around Europe. Aircraft have quick-change interiors, allowing for interchange of passengers and freight.
Wingspan: 85 ft.
Length: 73 ft.
Height: 24 ft. 7 in.
Weight: 22,100 lb.
Max. Speed: 309 mph
Range: 1,025 miles
The F-18 is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations.
Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses , close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its contemporaries. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986.
Length: 56 ft
Height: 15 ft 4 in
Wingspan: 40 ft
Max speed: Mach 1.8 (1,127 mph)
The F-18 is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations.
Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses , close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its contemporaries. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986.
Length: 56 ft
Height: 15 ft 4 in
Wingspan: 40 ft
Max speed: Mach 1.8 (1,127 mph)
Kate Kyder loves performing in her Pitts S-2B and sharing her love of aerobatic flight. With over 15,000 hours of flight time, Kate has performed in air shows and aerobatic competitions for over 18 years. When she's not flying acro, she is a captain on Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft on European and Asian routes. Kate began flying at 16 and has been flying professionally for more than 27 years.
Nick Coleman lives in Prospect, Ky and is a UPS pilot. He has owned this SWICK-T aircraft since high school. It was restored in 1982. It was in a hangar in Texas when tornado hit hangar, and collapsed onto airplane. He bought it in pieces. 160 hp engine, struts have been beefed up, wings 5-feet shorter so plane will roll faster.
The UH-1N is a light-lift utility helicopter used to support Air Force Global Strike Command missile wings, Air Force District of Columbia, Air Force Survival School training, Air Advisory Operations, Test and Evaluation at Eglin AFB, Fla., and U.S. Pacific Command, as well as other agencies.
Length: 57 ft. 3 in.
Width: 9 ft. 5 in.
Height: 12 ft. 10 in.
Diameter of Main Rotor: 48 ft.
Max Speed: 149 MPH
Crew: Normally 3 (pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer), but it may be flown single-pilot depending on weather and mission
The 767 entered service with UPS Airlines in 1987. The freighter can carry up to 15 containers or pallets on its main deck, for a volume of up to 6,600 cubic feet . It’s two lower holds can carry up to 1,830 cubic feet of bulk cargo. The maximum payload capability is 87,700 pounds. In July 2015, 79 of these were in service.
The Beech 18 second generation airshow pilot Matt Younkin performs in was built in 1943 by Beechcraft in Kansas. It was bought new by the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent most of the war as a navigation trainer. Was also used as a VIP transport for U.S. Dept of Commerce until 1959 before Younkin bought and restored it.
Wingspan: 49 feet 8 inches
Length: 35 feet 3 inches
Height: 9 feet 4 inches
Weight: 8,600 pounds
Top speed: 250 mph
Cruise speed: 200 mph
The Beech 18 second generation airshow pilot Matt Younkin performs in was built in 1943 by Beechcraft in Kansas. It was bought new by the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent most of the war as a navigation trainer. Was also used as a VIP transport for U.S. Dept of Commerce until 1959 before Younkin bought and restored it.
Wingspan: 49 feet 8 inches
Length: 35 feet 3 inches
Height: 9 feet 4 inches
Weight: 8,600 pounds
Top speed: 250 mph
Cruise speed: 200 mph
IMAGES | Performers expected for Thunder Over Louisville 2020 air show
The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest purpose-built cargo aircraft to enter the United States and Western air forces. It is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. This aircraft is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required, as well as aeromedical evacuation. The flexibility and performance of the C-17 force improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States.
Length: 174 ft
Height: 55 ft
Wingspan: 169 ft
Max speed: 520 mph
Range: can fly 2,800 miles without refueling
Crew: 3; pilot, co-pilot, loadmaster
The McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet, also called the CF-188, is a Royal Canadian Air Force fighter aircraft. It’s based on the American F/A 18 Hornet. A versatile, world-class fighter aircraft, the supersonic CF-18 can engage both ground and aerial targets. Its twin engines generate enough thrust to lift 24 full-size pick-up trucks off the ground. The underside of the CF-18 features a painted “false canopy” intended to momentarily disorient an enemy in air-to-air combat. A recent modernization project will extend the life of the C/F 18 through the middle of the next decade.
Crew: 1 or 2
Length: 56 ft.
Wingspan: 40 ft.
Height: 15 ft., 4 in.
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8
The A-10 Warthog close air support attack aircraft is designed to protect ground forces by attacking tanks, armored vehicles, and other ground targets. Also known as the Thunderbolt, the Flying Gun, and the Tankbuster. During the first Gulf War, the slow but powerful A-10 proved itself a devastating weapon against enemy tanks. It was also used in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Wingspan: 57 feet, 6 inches
Length: 53 ft 4 in
Height: 14 ft 8 in
Maximum Speed: 439 mph
Entered service in 1975
The AH-1W Super Cobra is a two-place, twin-engine, day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides en route escort for assault helicopters and their embarked forces. It had been the only western attack helicopter with a proven air-to-air and anti-radar missile capability. The AH-1 Cobra was developed in the mid-1960s as an interim gunship for the U.S. Army for use in Vietnam.
Length: 53 ft. 5 in.
Height: 13 ft. 5 in.
Rotor Diameter: 43 ft. 11 in.
Max Speed: 175 MPH
Crew: 2 (pilot, co-pilot/gunner)
C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop cargo aircraft and the main tactical airlifter for many military forces worldwide. Over 40 models of the Hercules serve with more than 50 nations.Primary users include U.S. Air Force, Roydal Air Force, Canadian Forces, Royal Australian Air Force and the Pakistan Air Force.Nearly 2,300 C-130s had been built as of 2006 at a cost of $66.5 million each.
Length: 97 ft 9 in
Height: 38 feet 3 in
Wingspan: 132 ft 7 in
Max speed: 379 mph
Crew: 4-6: at least 2 pilots, 1 flight engineer , and 1 loadmaster; additional loadmaster and navigator are usually part of the crew
Canadian designed and built twin-engine, medium-range transport aircraft. Manufactured by deHavilland Canada. Design is known to be very quiet. Two Dash-8 aircraft were acquired for the Canadian Air Mobility Tasking in NATO for moving personnel and paraphernalia around Europe. Aircraft have quick-change interiors, allowing for interchange of passengers and freight.
Wingspan: 85 ft.
Length: 73 ft.
Height: 24 ft. 7 in.
Weight: 22,100 lb.
Max. Speed: 309 mph
Range: 1,025 miles
The F-18 is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations.
Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses , close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its contemporaries. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986.
Length: 56 ft
Height: 15 ft 4 in
Wingspan: 40 ft
Max speed: Mach 1.8 (1,127 mph)
The F-18 is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations.
Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses , close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized for its lack of range and payload compared to its contemporaries. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986.
Length: 56 ft
Height: 15 ft 4 in
Wingspan: 40 ft
Max speed: Mach 1.8 (1,127 mph)
Kate Kyder loves performing in her Pitts S-2B and sharing her love of aerobatic flight. With over 15,000 hours of flight time, Kate has performed in air shows and aerobatic competitions for over 18 years. When she's not flying acro, she is a captain on Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft on European and Asian routes. Kate began flying at 16 and has been flying professionally for more than 27 years.
Nick Coleman lives in Prospect, Ky and is a UPS pilot. He has owned this SWICK-T aircraft since high school. It was restored in 1982. It was in a hangar in Texas when tornado hit hangar, and collapsed onto airplane. He bought it in pieces. 160 hp engine, struts have been beefed up, wings 5-feet shorter so plane will roll faster.
The UH-1N is a light-lift utility helicopter used to support Air Force Global Strike Command missile wings, Air Force District of Columbia, Air Force Survival School training, Air Advisory Operations, Test and Evaluation at Eglin AFB, Fla., and U.S. Pacific Command, as well as other agencies.
Length: 57 ft. 3 in.
Width: 9 ft. 5 in.
Height: 12 ft. 10 in.
Diameter of Main Rotor: 48 ft.
Max Speed: 149 MPH
Crew: Normally 3 (pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer), but it may be flown single-pilot depending on weather and mission
The 767 entered service with UPS Airlines in 1987. The freighter can carry up to 15 containers or pallets on its main deck, for a volume of up to 6,600 cubic feet . It’s two lower holds can carry up to 1,830 cubic feet of bulk cargo. The maximum payload capability is 87,700 pounds. In July 2015, 79 of these were in service.
The Beech 18 second generation airshow pilot Matt Younkin performs in was built in 1943 by Beechcraft in Kansas. It was bought new by the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent most of the war as a navigation trainer. Was also used as a VIP transport for U.S. Dept of Commerce until 1959 before Younkin bought and restored it.
Wingspan: 49 feet 8 inches
Length: 35 feet 3 inches
Height: 9 feet 4 inches
Weight: 8,600 pounds
Top speed: 250 mph
Cruise speed: 200 mph
The Beech 18 second generation airshow pilot Matt Younkin performs in was built in 1943 by Beechcraft in Kansas. It was bought new by the U.S. Army Air Corps and spent most of the war as a navigation trainer. Was also used as a VIP transport for U.S. Dept of Commerce until 1959 before Younkin bought and restored it.
Wingspan: 49 feet 8 inches
Length: 35 feet 3 inches
Height: 9 feet 4 inches
Weight: 8,600 pounds
Top speed: 250 mph
Cruise speed: 200 mph
The Kentucky Derby Festival announced that GE Appliances, a Haier company, is coming on board as a presenting sponsor. GE joins Caesars Southern Indiana, LG&E, Meijer, and UPS as presenting sponsors that make major contributions to keep the annual event going.
"Without the support of these generous sponsors, we simply wouldn't be able to produce the kind of spectacular Thunder show the public has come to expect year after year," said Gibson. He says their sponsorships are a "gift to the entire community."
WDRB has the exclusive broadcast rights to Thunder Over Louisville in 2020. The station has been working for more than a year to put together the 11-hour broadcast to enhance the viewers' experience. It's the fifth time the station has broadcast the big event, and the station continues to plan even the smallest technical detail. WDRB will have 32 High Definition cameras in place to capture the planes, parachutes, people and the fireworks.
Viewers can watch the stream of Thunder on WDRB from anywhere on April 18 starting at noon on television, WDRB.com and on your streaming devices including Roku, AppleTV and Fire TV. The broadcast will include Real-Time Closed Captioning for the entire day, a "Best of Thunder on WDRB" show at 10 p.m. and a repeat of the fireworks show in its entirety at 11 p.m.
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