A Thrilling Look At The Thunderbirds In New Netflix Documentary

"Six jets flying. 18 inches apart. Nearly at the speed of sound."

The Owensboro Air Show is coming back in 2026 and it will again be headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds are one of the most popular aerobatic acts in the entire world and they've been a crowd favorite since they first appeared in Owensboro back in 2015.

That year, I was invited to ride with the Thunderbirds and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. If you've ever wondered what it's like to be inside one of those magnificent planes, check this out!

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I'm afraid my video doesn't quite do the experience justice. Yes! It certainly captures the maneuvers and g-force you experience inside a plane (there was one moment that I almost passed out), but it doesn't cover what it truly means to train for and become a Thunderbird. That's where the brand new Netflix documentary Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds comes into play.

Here's the official trailer for the film!

Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds premiered on Netflix on May 23rd.

If you want to see the team in person, you can during the 2026 Owensboro Air Show, which is scheduled for September 11th through the 13th next year.

The Owensboro Air Show, which used to beheld annually, is now being held every two years.

In the meantime, to give you a proper air show fix, here's a look back at the 2024 Owensboro Air Show, which was headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The photos below were taken by a variety of professional and amateur photographers.