Thousands of spectators flocked to Atlantic City today for the 10th annual “Thunder Over the Boardwalk” Atlantic City Airshow. Planes soared through the air, the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachuted free falling at speeds up to 120 miles per hour, Coast Guardsmen jumped from helicopters in a search and rescue demonstration.
“The best decision we made was to do it over the ocean,” said Joe Kelly, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber. “This just opened up a huge venue. Our venue now starts in Brigantine and ends in Margate.”
Organizers say last year’s airshow attracted an estimated 800,000 spectators. They insist the event gives a boost to all the businesses in the area and reinforces Atlantic City’s new marketing campaign, DO AC.
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“I think it clearly proves we can do family orientated events,” Kelly said. “This is, I think, a model of the kind of activity that Atlantic City can support, to make sure that this marketplace is ready to diversify in addition to the gaming.”
The Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority says this is the largest beachfront airshow on the East Coast. Demonstrations reach 15,000 feet and as low as 50 feet over the water.
The average pilot has 12 to 15 years of flying time. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have at least 1,000 hours of fighter time.
“The government’s not spending all the money, at least for the military, just to launch these airplanes so they can fly down the beach and everyone can look at them,” said Airshow Director Lt. Col. Steven Ziomek of the New Jersey Air National Guard. “The F-15s at the beginning, we had the Atlantic City F-16s and the tanker they flew by with. When they finished their flyby, they all went to the training air space off the coast. So what we try to do is maximize the value of these flights.”
Ron Goodman, a Navy veteran, made the trip from Philadelphia. His time in the service is just one of the reasons why he enjoys the show. “I like the speed,” he said.
It’s not just about entertainment. The show can serve as a recruiting tool.
“With 10s of thousands of children here, by some of these children watching the airshow, we’re going to have our future pilots and our future aviators and probably our future astronauts,” said Commissioner of Transportation James Simpson.
Future pilots like 11-year-old Cody Gordon. “I just want to be like them,” he said. “I want to be in the air.”
Officials are hopeful the large turnout today will contribute positively toward Atlantic City tourism revenue.
Lauren Wanko files this report from Atlantic City.