U.S. Navy Blue Angels Will Visit South Florida for 2019 Fort Lauderdale Air Show Preparations

Daredevil, high-flying stunts by fighter jet planes and paratroopers never fail to entertain in the annual Fort Lauderdale Air Show. Presented by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2019's oceanfront performance is scheduled for May 4 and 5 will be headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

It's just been announced that Lieutenant Cary Rickoff and Lieutenant Commander Adam Kerrick, two U.S. Navy Blue Angels officers, will be making an advance visit to Fort Lauderdale on Monday, December 17, to kick off the initial planning for their full team's performance next summer. Lt. Rickoff and Lt. Commander Kerrick are scheduled to arrive at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in a Blue Angels F/A-18.

Chris Dirato, Director of Public Relations, spoke on behalf of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show about the official's visit. "They won't be doing a performance. They may go out — and I say may because [the] weather is always a determining factor — and do what's called a survey flight over the area where the show will take place in May."

But don't expect the Blue Angels to be showing off any tricks ahead of next year's performance just yet. "They're strictly coming in to do logistical planning," says Dirato, which is compacted into a day-long visit where the officers will meet with officials from the show, the city, and other agencies involved in hosting the team.

Stunt planes and jaw-dropping feats will be reserved for May's two-day event — which, according to Dirato — will be the first time in over 12 years that the Blue Angels will perform in South Florida. But in case you happen to catch a glimpse of a Blue Angels F/A-18 zooming over the coast Monday morning, cross those fingers that the officers piloting the aircraft choose to bless us with an aerial stunt.