On Sunday we will be tuning in for the Superbowl for all kinds of reasons. We will be tuned in routing for our favorite team. We don't want to miss any of the commercials so that pretty much guarantees we will be focus from the first minute. There is the coin flip which tends to be the first bet someone loses and of course the much talked about Maroon 5 half-time show. But the one thing I love to witness at all the sporting events that invite them is the U.S.A.F. Thunderbird's flyover.

At the exact moment that Gladys Knight wraps up the National Anthem the Thunderbird's will buzz Mercedes Benz Stadium with a fly by only they can orchestrate. CBS This Morning interviewed all the people who are involved in how this event gets time down to the second, which according to the report is no easy feat. The TV producers, the Thunderbirds and Ms. Knight must all be in-sync from the start.  Adding to the difficulty of the timing is the fact that the roof of the stadium may be closed, meaning people inside might hear the fly by but not actually see it. In that case the producers for TV have to make sure they are ready for either situation. According to the folks CBS interviewed that decision can be made up to 90 minutes before the actual event.

The TV experience is awesome but there is nothing like seeing these pilots in person. I checked the Thunderbirds schedule for 2019/2020 and we have two opportunities to see them perform in New York this year. May 25th & 26th they will be in Wantage, New York at the Jones Beach Air Show and then on August 24th & 25th they will be part of the Rochester International Air Show in Rochester. For more dates check the link below.

 

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