U.S.
GalleryThe best images from California Capital Airshow
The Sacramento Bee
September 25, 2023
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the California Capital Airshow on Sunday at Mather Airport. ()
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (Tribune News Service) — The California Capital Airshow returned on Saturday and Sunday, filling the skies over Rancho Cordova with spectacular aerial demonstrations.
Performers this year included the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the A-10 Thunderbolt II and civilian performers such as Jim Peitz in his Beechcraft F33C Bonanza.
The show was back to full capacity for the first time since 2019. In recent years it has run at 50% or 60% of capacity.
“There’s so much more out here than we’ve ever had,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director of the airshow. “The displays are bigger, more people are out.”
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds split off of formation while performing at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds taxi after performing at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Joel Miller helps William Hoyt, 7, hold an AT4 anti-tank weapon at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
Sutton Shaffer, 4, sits in the cockpit of a Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
Erica OConnor of Rocklin holds her daughter Emery, 2, while eating frozen lemonade at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
A Beechcraft F33C Bonanza flies by the spectators at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
Stephanie Boss Goetz, left, talks with Edra Wright of Sacramento about the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
Stephanie Boss Goetz talks with a boy as he sits on the wing of her Aero L-39 Albatros at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
Bill Stein performs tricks in his Edge 540 at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
A F8F Bearcat and U.S. Navy F/A-18F Rhino perform at the California Capital Airshow on Sept. 24, 2023, at Mather Airport. (Sara Nevis, The Sacramento Bee/TNS)
The nonprofit that organizes the show works throughout the year to provide scholarships and mentorship to children in STEM and aerospace fields.
Pilot Stephanie “Boss” Goetz, who flies the Aero L-39 Albatros, said she enjoys the opportunity to speak with young people about different ways they can pursue an interest in aviation.
“It can seem very daunting, confusing — do you go military, do you go civilian?” she said. “There’s no wrong path.”
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