The Florida International Airshow, located in Punta Gorda at the Charlotte County Airport, put on a spectacular show. Present at the show this year was the Red Bull Helicopter, Patty Wagstaff and the Thunderbirds, along with a number of other, high-octane performers such as Lee Lauderback, Gary Ward and Fred Cabanas.

Skies started off clear, and then the clouds began to roll in. Forecasts were for thunderstorms all afternoon. To everyone's surprise, the clouds lifted and yielded to deep blue skies for the Thunderbirds.

A few scheduled acts did not fly for untold reasons, however, that did not put a damper on the flying. Freddy Cabanas took to the skies 4 or 5 times throughout the day in his Pitts Special S-2C and his beautiful P-51 Mustang. Scheduled to appear were the Trojan Horsmen, who didn't fly, and Dale Snodgrass in a F-5 Tiger, that also didn't fly. Panchito was expected to lift off but remained in the static display area, proudly representing the DAV.

Overall, the event was very light on static displays, but made up for it with the quality and rarity of the planes that were on display. Flying was fantastic, and the Thunderbirds were on their game!