The California International Airshow is excited to announce the C-5M Super Galaxy will appear on static display at this year’s airshow Oct 7-8, 2023. You won’t want to miss this largest aircraft in the Air Force inventory. It’s primary mission is to transport cargo and personnel for the Department of Defense. The C-5M is a modernized version of the legacy C-5 designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Don’t miss the C-5M Super Galaxy at this year’s airshow Oct 7-8, 2023 also featuring two “WORLD CLASS” MILITARY JET TEAMS, THE USAD THUNDERBIRDS AND THE CANADIAN FORCES SNOWBIRDS, plus the F-35C Lightning II single ship jet demonstration.
Purchase your discounted tickets now and save.
Tickets are now on sale for the 42nd annual California International Airshow which will be held Oct 6-8, 2023 at Salinas Airport. This year’s show will feature two “world class” military jet teams, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, plus the Navy’s latest “Top Gun” Jet fighter demonstration, the F35C Lightning II.
In addition, we are excited to welcome back the Red Bull Air Force along with Aerobatic star Michael Goulian. Local Favorite Vicky Benzing and comedian aerobatic performer, Kent Pietsch will also entertain airshow fans. Plus, on the ground the “Hot Streak” Jet Truck and dueling Monster Trucks! This year’s airshow will be one of the biggest airshows in our history.
And you won’t want to miss our Friday night kick off to the airshow at Maverick’s Lounge, where you can meet the performers. Enjoy an award-winning culinary event featuring “Bacon, Bourbon, & Brew”. See a mini -Airshow featuring the spectacular Canadian Snowbirds Twilight performance, and a star studded fireworks celebration, and dancing under the stars. Get discount tickets early at www.salinasairshow.com.
The California International Airshow is an all-volunteer 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization which has been producing one of the best civilian community air shows in the Country since 1981. Over $ 8.5 million has been raised for local charities since our inception.
Tickets are now on sale at www.salinasairshow.com and limited number of discount tickets are available to first come purchasers. Buy your tickets early and save.
For more information www.salinasairshow.com or phone 831-754-1983.
We got the Jets! The 2023 California International Airshow will be one of the best air shows in many years. On Oct 7-8, 2023, Salinas skies will come alive with JETS!
Headlined by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds Jet demonstration team, plus the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Jet team will perform. The Snowbirds will only be appearing at two air shows in the United States in 2023 and the Salinas Airshow is thrilled to be hosting them again for the first time in 12 years.
We got the JETS! In addition to the Thunderbirds and the Snowbirds, the US Navy’s latest “Top Gun” F35C Lightning II will perform. The F-35C is the world’s only long-range stealth strike fighter. It is supersonic and can reach speeds of 1.6 Mach (1200 mph). You won’t want to miss this performance at the California International Airshow.
In addition to the jets, we are bringing back the popular Red Bull Air Force Team! They are world renown for their high energy, extreme aerobatics. Led by Kirby Chambliss flying the Red Bull Edge 560, along with the Red Bull Helicopter flown by Aaron Fitzgerald. Plus the world’s most elite skydive team, the Red Bull Jumpers in their wingsuit flying and skydiving and will continually push the limits of human flight.
Also performing at this year’s airshow is Michael Goulian who is one of the most decorated aerobatic pilots in the industry. His signature air show performance combines the heart stopping gyroscopic tumbling of his Extra 330C doing top speeds of 260 mph.
You will also see local favorite Vicky Benzing flying her vintage Boeing Stearman. Big and loud, this performance brings back memories of World War II trainers. Kent Pietsch is back at Salinas flying his Interstate Cadet and you will be amazed at his talent of even landing on the top of a moving RV.
More smoke…more fire…more jet noise and more speed. For the first time welcome Hayden Profitt II driving the world’s fastest Jet Pick Up Truck. Hot Streak, a ’57 Chevy pickup with two jet engines and can reach speeds of 350 mph. There is definitely something for everyone at this year’s California International Airshow.
Watch our website for more additions to our show in the coming weeks and be sure and sign up to be an Airshow insider to get advance information, schedules, and special offers leading up to our 42nd annual air show at Salinas Airport.
Both the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will highlight the 42nd Annual California International Airshow in Salinas on October 7-8, 2023. This will be the first time in 16 years that the Salinas Airshow has been selected to host two military jet teams.
Karen Curtis, President of the Airshow said “We are excited to be selected to host these two “world class” teams at the same airshow. It is a tribute to the quality of our organization, our volunteers and sponsors that help make the California International Airshow one of the best in the Country”.
In addition to the two military jet teams, the airshow in 2023 will host again the popular Red Bull Air Force Team, World Aerobatic Champion Michael Goulian in his Extra 300, and local favorite Vicky Benzing in her Boeing Stearman. Other Military and civilian performers and statics will be announced in the future on the CIA website www.salinasairshow.com
The California International Airshow is an all-volunteer 501 © 3 non-profit organization that produces the airshow at Salinas Airport and then turns the net proceeds over to charity. Over $8.5 million has been raised for local charities since the inception in 1981.
This Friday night the gates will open at 5PM and at 5:30PM the USAF F35 will “scream across
the sunset” to open what promises to be an incredible evening at Mavericks!
Maverick’s Lounge is the newest and most unique culinary event to take place on the Central
Coast. There is nothing like it anywhere and it is the kick-off event to this year’s 41 st anniversary
of the California International Airshow.
Gifted Chefs from the best restaurants and catering establishments in the area bring forth their
delectable samplings of Baker’s Bacon…
Distilleries, breweries, and wineries offer tastings of their most unique spirits and brews…
AND THE FUN DOESN’T STOP THERE…
Enjoy a private evening airshow featuring the United States Air Force F-35, the Aftershock Jet
Fire Truck, Monster Trucks, a Fireworks Extravaganza, and the Wall of Fire! After that mingle
with the air show performers. They will all be there for this magnificent evening to see how
Salinas kicks off a fantastic weekend of flight and entertainment.
Dancing will round out this spectacular evening of amazing food, drinks and air show
performances. Gates open at 5PM so come early…. The USAF F 35 will perform at 5:30PM as a
spectacular kickoff!
Don’t miss this Friday Night– Tickets can be purchased online at www.salinasairshow.com or
at the Air Show office this week at 240 Mortensen Ave. at Salinas Airport.
BE THERE!
It’s Air Show Week! Are you excited? Our volunteers, sponsors, and performers sure are.
Volunteer crews are already starting to set up Salinas Airport for huge crowds this weekend.
Check out the photos of the progress we are making.
Because we expect huge crowds this weekend, come out early to spend a great day of aviation,
education and entertainment. Gates open at 9AM both Saturday and Sunday and the flying will
start approximately 11:30AM. If you haven’t got your tickets yet there is still time to buy your
advanced discount tickets by Friday at 5 PM. Tickets will also be available at the gate on
Saturday and Sunday.
The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow are excited to announce a new
addition to our Airshow Oct 8-9, 2022.
For the first time at Salinas… The Red Bull Air Force Team! The Red Bull Air Force Team is
“world renown” for their high energy, extreme aerobatics, led by Kirby Chambliss flying the
Red Bull Extra 300 who is a “world champion” aerobatic performer and air race pilot.
In addition, the air show act that defies gravity… The Red Bull Helicopter flown by Aaron Fitzgerald
that actually fly’s upside down! You will be amazed to see this unique performance.
And finally, rounding out the Red Bull Air Force Team are the World’s most elite Skydive
team… The Red Bull Skydive Jumpers specialize in highly coordinated aerial jump
demonstrations and continually push the limits of human flight.
Don’t miss the Red Bull Air Force at the California International Airshow on Saturday and
Sunday, Oct 8-9 at Salinas Airport. Get discount tickets in advance now at
www.salinasairshow.com
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have announced that their 2022 air demonstration season is
officially canceled, and they will not be performing at the three air shows in California this
October. This includes the Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, the California International
Airshow in Salinas, and the Central Coast Air Fest in Santa Maria.
Snowbird Public Affairs Officer, Capt. Gabriel Ferris expressed the team’s disappointment in this
decision. “The air demonstration season is being canceled due to an incident that one of the
Snowbird CT-114 tutor aircraft experienced in British Columbia in August,” said Capt. Ferris.
The Directorate of Flight Safety (DFS) investigation into the incident is on-going by a team of
experts. A risk analysis for the CT-114 Tutor Fleet will be detailed and thorough to assure the
fleet will return to safe flying operations.
Harry Wardwell, Executive Director of the California International Airshow expressed his
disappointment on this announcement from Canada. “On behalf of our Board of Directors,
volunteers, and air show fans from the Central Coast we will miss hosting the Canadian
Snowbirds at our 41 st annual California International Airshow on October 8-9, 2022. We have
been fortunate to host the Canadian Forces Snowbirds 7 times over our 40-year history and
they are always a crowd favorite. We wish the Snowbirds all the best and look forward to
hosting them in the future.” Our 41 st annual show will showcase the USAF F-35 A Fighter Jet,
some of the best civilian air show performers from North America, ground acts like the
Aftershock Jet Fire Truck, Monster Trucks, and the incredible “Wall of Fire.” There also will be
dozens of displays and exhibits that will make this air show a great educational and entertaining
experience for families to enjoy.
Despite this turn of events, we have better, EXCITING NEWS– The California International
Airshow is pleased to announce for the first time at Salinas, the RED BULL AIR FORCE will
perform. The Red Bull Air Force are “World Renown” for their high energy team aerobatics.
The Red Bull Air Force is a team assembled from the most accomplished and experienced
aviation experts on the planet. Led by Kirby Chambliss who is a “World Champion” aerobatic
performer and air race pilot, along with the Red Bull Helicopter that does “back flips!” It’s a
Euro copter BO-105 CBS 4 twin engine helicopter doing high energy aerobatics. And then… The
World’s most elite skydive team. They specialize in highly coordinated aerial jump
demonstrations and continually push the limits of human flight.
The California International Airshow is an all-volunteer 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that
has raised over $8.5 million for local charities since its inception in 1981. For more information
or to purchase tickets go to www.salinasairshow.com or phone (831) 754-1983.
The Board of Directors of the California International Airshow is excited to announce two new additions to our 2022 air show line up:
Dueling Monster Trucks! “Playing for Keeps” takes on “Wicked Strong” in an all -out exciting Monster Truck demonstration. WGAS Motorsports will bring out the best in exciting Monster Truck spills and thrills in front of Air Show fans. You won’t want to miss these “car crushing” Monster Trucks at this year’s airshow Oct 8-9, 2022 at Salinas Airport.
Feel the Heat!! BOOM!! Hear the explosion!! A 1000’ instant explosion fills the sky right at air show center. Choreographed to a high -speed performance of the United States Air Force F35 A, you will feel and hear the bombs, the hot strafe runs and finally the “Wall of Fire”. Performed by Firewalkers International Pyro Team who have entertained air show fans all over the country for many years. Air Show President Karen Curtis said, “We are excited to bring back this exhilarating performance to our 2022 air show. It is always a fan favorite so get your cameras ready!”

The California International Airshow is excited to announce our newest addition for our 41st annual event Oct 8-9, 2022. For the first time at Salinas, See AFTERSHOCK JET FIRE TRUCK. This is a 1940 Ford Fire Truck which boasts twin Rolls Royce Bristol Viper Jet Engines totaling over 24,000 horsepower and holds the Guinness record for Fire Trucks at an astonishing 407 MPH!. You won’t want to miss this exciting new addition to the California International Airshow at Salinas Airport in October!
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