Back when he 10 years old, Connor O’Donnell was awestruck by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in Brunswick, Maine. He remembers sitting on top of his parents’ green Chevrolet Suburban watching that air show — “and it was the loudest thing I’d ever heard in my life.”
“And I would have done anything to fly one,” O’Donnell recalled.
Today, he flies as Blue Angel 5, the team’s lead solo pilot. A Navy lieutenant commander with more than 200 aircraft-carrier landings under his belt, he’ll showcase his piloting skills during the Air Dot Show Cocoa Beach on Saturday, April 10, and Sunday, April 11.
“We’re pumped. There’s something about a beach show that is extra exciting, just because of the numbers of people that can go out and watch. So it’s always fun to see the folks having a good time down there,” O’Donnell said.
The Blue Angels flew from Pensacola to Florida’s Space Coast on Thursday, April 9, landing at Patrick Space Force Base just before 10 a.m. amid rainy, soggy weather. The squadron will headline this weekend’s lineup of military and civilian aerobatic performers — which features a colossal B-52 Stratofortress bomber and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team.
Beachgoers and other spectators around State Road A1A can watch free of charge, and Cocoa Beach Fire Chief Justin Grimes expects tens of thousands of people to descend on the city and surrounding shoreline.
In particular, Grimes predicted 5,000 to 10,000 spectators will converge on the air show’s “show center” headquarters area at Lori Wilson Park on State Road A1A. Stretching northward and southward from the park, the event’s two-mile prime viewing zone will extend between Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier and Minutemen Causeway.
The Cocoa Beach air show will also feature a combat search-and-rescue demonstration by the U.S. Air Force Reserve 920th Rescue Wing, which is based at Patrick. The wing phased out its old Pave Hawk helicopters last year in favor of next-generation HH-60W Jolly Green II “Whiskey” helicopters. The demo will also feature HC-130J Combat King II aircraft.
Backstreet Boys star Howie D flew aboard Blue Angel No. 7 — pulling 7½ Gs and zooming up to 90% of the speed of sound — during an pre-show celebrity flight Wednesday, April 8.
His pilot was U.S. Navy Lt. Ronny Hafeza, who will serve as narrator, advance pilot and VIP Pilot during the Blue Angels’ 2026 show season.
Cocoa Beach air show performer lineup
Opening ceremonies kick off at 11 a.m. both days, featuring the national anthem and a U.S. flag jump by the RE/MAX Parachute Team. For more information, visit the Air Dot Show website at https://air.show.
Following is the scheduled sequence of aerobatic performers, which is subject to change and should last until about 2 p.m.:
- U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team.
- B-52 Stratofortress bomber “The Buff.”
- 920th Rescue Wing combat search-and-rescue demonstration.
- B-25J Mitchell bomber.
- P-51 Mustang “QuickSilver.”
- Super Decathlon piloted by John Black of Cocoa Beach.
- U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team.
- Air Force heritage flight.
- U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
In a press release, Cocoa Beach police warned of heavy traffic congestion between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days — and again immediately after the air show wraps up both afternoons.
“Families attending the event are encouraged to establish a plan in case a child becomes separated. Parents may consider taking a photo of their child prior to arrival and identifying a meeting point. Children should be instructed to seek assistance from a lifeguard, law enforcement officer, beach ranger, or event staff member if they become lost,” the press release said.
“Attendees are reminded to stay hydrated and remain aware of their surroundings. Boaters operating in the Banana River should expect increased marine traffic and are advised to operate with caution and follow all navigation rules,” the press release said.
Fire chief warns of dangerous ocean conditions
In the wake of this week’s heavy rainfall, flood watch and wind advisory across Brevard County, the National Weather Service forecasts mostly sunny skies Saturday with a high near 76 degrees. Sunday’s sun-splashed temperature should also approach 76, and easterly winds gusting up to 20 mph should persist this weekend.
NWS meteorologists warn of a high rip current risk in Brevard County surf zones through late Sunday night.
“We’re expecting beautiful weather. So everything’s really lining up for a great show. But the one thing is, we have really rough surf conditions,” Grimes said.
“There’s a big swell out there right now. There’s going to be heavy onshore winds. And there’s going to be a lot of rip currents,” he said.
“Everything is going to be really inviting to come to the beach — but the beach is going to be extremely dangerous,” he said.
Grimes said air show spectators who enter the surf should stay alert and “have their head on a swivel,” avoid venturing deeper than waist-high water, and swim near a lifeguard. He said Cocoa Beach’s fire and police departments will increase staffing during the air show, but tens of thousands of people should pack the beach.
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Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY, where he has covered news since 2004. Contact Neale at [email protected]. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1
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