AUGUSTA, Ga. (WFXG) - Looking for a Mother's Day weekend outing with altitude? Then gear up for the inaugural Augusta Air Show hosted by Air Dot Show at Augusta Regional Airport.

Chris Dirato, a spokesman for Air Dot Show, tells FOX54, "We have the US Air Force Thunderbirds and you can’t ask for a better performer than those guys from Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas.”

Lauren Smith of Augusta Regional Airport says this will be the first aerobatic flight show over Augusta in more than 20 years.

“It is hard to book acts. They book sometimes 6 years out. The stars aligned and we were able to book one this year.”

Dirato helps to organize events across the country, but says this will be the first that will extend across state lines.

“We’re so close to the border with South Carolina and the aerobatic box leaks into a second state," he explains, "so the folks over the border will get a chance to see the show, albeit from a distance.”

He recommends those wanting a closer view of the weekend's events to purchase tickets in advance.  Tickets will not be available for purchase on the day of the air show.  They are pre-sale only.

The show will feature the Air Force Thunderbirds, with an F-16 demonstration and a special operations parachute team. 

Dirato says, “They put on a tremendous show, so you’re going to see some talented pilots do some things you don’t think they can do in the air, but they find a way to do it.”

Smith hopes the event will inspire an affinity for aviation in a generation of Augustans who have never seen an airshow over the CSRA.

“The aviation industry is in dire need of pilots and aircraft mechanics, so if you bring kids out and let them see an opportunity and see the excitement of aviation, it really sparks an interest in them at a young age.”

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