2022 Air Show in Colorado Springs Ready to Hit New Heights

On September 24, when the big engines crackle to life and the propellers roar, the Pikes Peak Regional Air Show (PPRAS) will take to the sky under a new partnership.

The PPRAS Board of Directors, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, and the National Museum of World War II Aviation are partnering to raise the air show to new heights. Colorado Springs Sports Corporation brings its considerable experience and resources in event organization, operations, and promotion to the years of experience by PPRAS and the museum in creating a family-fun show of aerobatics, flights of historic WWII warbirds, and the latest in US military aviation.

The air show will be held at the Colorado Springs Airport, Sept. 24 and 25, which provides excellent viewing of aircraftin flight, space for displays of historic and contemporary aircraft, KidZone, food, vendors, and activities. 

Headlining the 2022 Pikes Peak Regional Air Show is the USAF F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team, showcasing the state-of-the-science in military aviation.

The list of other performers, flying aircraft, and exhibits is extensive, including:

U.S. Air Force Academy Wings of Blue to jump from a WWII-era B-17

“Texas Raiders”, a four-engine B-17 heavy bomber from WWII, will serve as a jump platform for the USAF “Wings of Blue” parachute team to start the air show. “Texas Raiders” belongs to the Gulf Coast Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.

Air show performer links as of this date:

USAF F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Team

Commemorative Air Force B-17G “Texas Raiders”

Kyle Franklin’s “Ben Whabnoski” comedic aerobatic comedy act

2022 Pikes Peak Regional Air Show performing aircraft:

·    USAF F-35 Lightning II

·    Douglas SBD Dauntless

·    B-17G Flying Fortress “Texas Raiders”

·    F7F Tigercat (2)

·    Douglas Skyraider

·    B-25 Mitchell

·    P-47 Thunderbolt

·    F3F Flying Barrel

·    F3A Corsair

·    TBM Avenger (2)

·    PBY/PBV1A Catalina

·    Kyle Franklin’s Super Cub

2022 Pikes Peak Regional Air Show display aircraft:

·    Beechcraft Model 18

·    T-34

·    A-37 Dragonfly

·    HU-16 Albatross

·    C-21

·    T-6 Texan

·    Stinson L-5 Sentinel

·    Howard DGA-15

·    Cessna L-19 Bird Dog

KidZone:

A special and fun area set aside for youngsters provides interactive STEM learning experiences, the ability to sit in the cockpit of an airplane, an opportunity to build and flight-test their own glider, plus games and art activities.

High Flight:

An event on Friday (Sept. 23) that allows special-needs youngsters and their families an exclusive opportunity to view the air show practice session, meet the pilots, and participate in activities at the KidZone.

Please note, the list of aircraft, performers, and activities is as of this date. There will be additions to the list as arrangements are completed. Further information will be made available at a later date.

For more information and updates as the event nears, visit the event website: www.pprairshow.org.

The National Museum of World War II Aviation documents the role that military aviation played in the emergence of our nation as a world power during the Second World War. Through a combination of its aircraft collection, exhibits, interactive displays, and docent-led tours, the museum tells the story of our nation’s tremendous technological advancements during the war, and describes the lasting social and economic changes that were essential to the success of the Allied war effort.

Located on a 20-acre on the west side of the Colorado Springs Airport, the Museum’s 109,000 square foot facility includes exhibit galleries, volunteer workshops and a state-of-the-art World War II aircraft restoration facility. Most of the aircraft are meticulously restored to flying condition, and many are flown at the museum on public demonstration days, and during the Pikes Peak Regional Air Show. The museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Colorado Springs Sports Corporationis the driving force behind amateur and elite sport in the Pikes Peak region. Through event promotion and community development activities, The Sports Corp plays a critical role in bringing city and civic leaders together with some of the nation's premier sporting organizations to drive tourism and create the economic impact. Annual marquee events hosted by The Sports Corp include the Rocky Mountain State Games, the 4^th of July Symphony on Your Porch, The Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit, Labor Day Lift Off, Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame, and various sport centric luncheons, and now the Pikes Peak Regional Air Show. To learn more, visit ColoradoSpringsSports.org.