I could be flying over the Grand Canyon, and I wouldn't know the difference. The Snowbirds will display their precision skills today and Sunday at the Robins Air Force Base air show and open house. The appearance is the Snowbirds' first in Middle Georgia and their first show of a six-month touring season. But the performance spectators can expect to see this weekend differs significantly from that of other well-known flight teams such as the Air Force Thunderbirds or Navy Blue Angels. Andy Cook, the Snowbird's public affairs coordinator, in a preflight briefing.
Most people call it a ballet as opposed to a power show.
Plus, the Snowbirds are the only team in the world that takes off and lands in a nine-plane formation, Cook said. As the team draws closer to Vidalia, Painchaud orders the jets closer together. The stub-winged little aircraft are virtually stacked on top of one another as they cruise along at nearly 350 mph. Once over Vidalia, the team launches into its routine. Painchaud calls out formation changes in calm, clipped tones.