Skilled Pilots Make Stomach-Turning Stunts Look Easy At Bethpage Air Show
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Engines roared from above Saturday at the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, Long Island.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators braved the sometimes chilly temperatures to witness the glory of the stunt show, CBS 2's Steve Langford reported.
From the Blue Angels to the Golden Knights parachute team, necks were hurting as the crowd strained to catch every minute of the sky-high action.
After a cloudy start to the day, the weather was picture perfect when the show began, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.
"I enjoyed seeing the airplanes. I enjoy the start of summer. The patriotism of it," one spectator said.
FA-18 Hornets zoomed across the sky at speeds of up to 700 miles an hour, sometimes flying just 18 inches apart from each other.
"I don't know how they do that. I really don't. It's awesome," another spectator told Langford.
"I actually thought it was amazing. Probably one of the most beautiful things I've seen a plane do," said Boston resident James Dottin.
It was something that never fails to amaze even family members who were there to cheer on their pilots, including a group from Cincinnati who went to watch Lt. Commander John Hiltz.
"Has done two tours on aircraft carriers and has been all over the world, but this has been a highlight for his career getting to do this," said Cindy Hemsath, a relative of a Blue Angel pilot.
Among the crowd were veterans who worked on some of the featured aircraft over the years, who said they never miss the air show.
"Proud to see them and I'm happy that I'm one of them," one veteran said.
WCBS 880's Alex Silverman had a chance to fly with one of the world's most experienced stunt pilots.
"I love always getting outside of my comfort zone," experienced pilot Sean D. Tucker said.
Tucker gave the controls to WCBS 880's Silverman and then took a back seat as the plane hit high speeds. Silverman zoomed through the skies high above Jones Beach and got a taste of life as a stunt pilot.
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