When most of us think about weekends in Southwest Florida, we picture sun, sand, maybe a fishing pole. Few imagine standing just feet from an aircraft as it rattles the earth and splits the sky. That’s the energy you get at the 2026 Florida International Air Show, coming to Punta Gorda Airport on November 7 and 8.
This year, the show’s loaded, for real. You’ve got world-class pilots like Aarron Deliu tearing through the air again, Red Bull’s Kevin Coleman pulling heart-stopping stunts, the wild Franklin Flying Circus, The Chuters Jump Team leaping just above the pavement, and the fierce MiG-17 with its booming Cold War howl. For aviation fans, even casual ones, that sound is unforgettable. This isn’t a livestream. You’re right there, feeling those jet engines in your chest, watching daredevils bend gravity above your head.
Of course, there’s plenty for families on the ground, too. Rows of parked warbirds and modern machines to explore, food trucks, hands-on science exhibits, and local vendors offer everything from flight simulators to souvenirs. Kids and adults both get a closer look at the world of aviation and spark interests that might last a lifetime.
For many people, this event means more than just watching planes fly by. It’s about wandering among the displays, meeting the pilots, and sharing a little hometown pride. Denise Dull, the show’s president, puts it simply: “The Air Show is about sound and spectacle, meeting the performers, making memories with your family that last long after the weekend.”
Let’s talk about the must-see highlight this year: Bill Culberson and his MiG-17. When FighterJets, Inc. powers up the MiG’s engine, every head on the ramp will turn. You can’t miss the sharp silhouette, the ear-splitting roar, pure Cold War drama, right over Punta Gorda. That jet isn’t just a prop from history. The Soviet Union built it. Pilots earned their reputation for speed and agility during the Vietnam War, and someone with aviation in his DNA flies it. Culberson’s father was an Air Force fighter pilot, and Bill followed the same path before spending years as an FAA engineering rep and logging countless hours in everything from vintage jets to the legendary B-17. He left commercial flying behind in 2016 to keep aviation history alive from the pilot’s seat.
Looking for more adrenaline? Rick Sharpe will push the TA-4J Skyhawk to its limits, and flying ace Aarron Deliu will perform a gravity-defying show. Kevin Coleman, the Franklin crew, and the Chuters Jump Team, the bill is stacked. Walk the show line for static aircraft, meet exhibitors, sample food, and dive into STEM activities at the Innovator’s Pavilion.
And the show isn’t just a once-a-year party. It’s organized by a nonprofit that uses the event to support local charities and spark interest in aviation. Every ticket and every sponsor gets invested right back into the community.
Here’s another fresh face this year: Jeff “Linedog” Linebaugh brings his “High Voltige” act to Punta Gorda, twisting his Socata TB-30 Epsilon through the air with military precision. The two-seat Epsilon once trained French Air Force pilots; in Linebaugh’s hands, it delivers rolls, loops, sharp pulls, and those passes that freeze you in place. Linebaugh soloed in the cockpit at sixteen, excelled as a U.S. Air Force instructor pilot, then spent decades as a major airline captain.
His resume? Nearly 16,000 hours over 85 aircraft, half of them teaching others to fly.
The full lineup is a who’s who: Culberson’s MiG-17, Sharpe’s Skyhawk, Deliu, Coleman, the Flying Circus, the Chuters, plus static displays, the STEM Pavilion, and more. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days, and the weekend promises nonstop action.
Curious? Don’t just picture the weekend. Experience it. For tickets and event info, check out floridaairshow.com/tickets. Schedules can shift, so check the site for the latest.
The Florida International Air Show runs on volunteer energy and passion. It’s a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to sharing the thrill of aviation, educating future flyers, entertaining crowds, and giving back.
2026 Florida International Air Show
November 7–8, 2026
Punta Gorda Airport
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. each day.
Get your tickets now at FloridaAirShow.com.
