Why the California Capital Airshow is a Must-See Event
Learn about the stunt performers, planes, and vendors that are waiting for you at this year's California Capital Airshow!
Time to fly high in Rancho Cordova! The California Capital Airshow 2023 flies back into town from September 23rd-24th. This year, Rancho Cordova's Barrel District is hosting an exclusive beer-garden tasting experience in partnership with the Airshow!
When you book a Stay & Play Bundle from our website you can get your hotel room, a 20% discount on up to 4 one-day General Admission tickets, and a FREE $25 Lyft gift card all-in-one! (VIP chalet tickets and The Hangar tasting tickets are not included in this deal. They must be purchased separately on the Airshow website.)
For a full list of California Capital Airshow ticket prices, click here.
This Year's Lineup
USAF Thunderbirds
Get an impressive view of the action and watch the USAF Thunderbirds soar high above Mather Airport as they perform gravity-defying tricks. If you're looking for a Sacramento airshow experience, you can expect the California Capital Airshow 2023 in Rancho Cordova to be nothing less than spectacular!
1941 J3 Cub
Eric Tucker’s current aviation adventure is a throwback to the glory days of Barnstorming. Flying an aircraft built in 1941, but designed in the late twenties, Tucker will be performing three very distinct acts: dead stick aerobatics, a comedy act and car-top landing, and a car-top takeoff.
Tucker’s bird is a stock, Cub Yellow with Black Lightning Bolt, 1941 J3 with a C-85 engine pumped up to 100hp. 100hp doesn’t sound like much until you consider that the original prototype for the Cub had just 20hp. So, weighing in at just 770 pounds, Tucker’s Cub is a fire-breather.
Beechcraft F33C Bonanza
This specialized Beechcraft F33C Bonanza, one of 118 built, performs an amazing demonstration that will leave fans completely mesmerized! It is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers (unusual for a Bonanza) including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads (yes, it goes vertical).
The Bonanza handles it all in style and with Jim Peitz’s expert touch he makes it all look easy.
Constellation Airliner 'Connie' C-121A
See the iconic late 1940s Air Force Constellation Airliner 'Connie' or the C-121A make her flight over Rancho Cordova at this year's airshow! You won't want to miss out on her one of a kind flight and display.
General Douglas MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Korea at the time, used Connie number 613 as his flying command post.
The Philippine peninsula which was the site of the notorious Bataan Death March in 1942, where 75,000 American and Filipino POWs were mercilessly forced to march more than 60 miles to imprisonment in POW camps, inspired MacArthur to name his Constellation "Bataan."
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The A-10 Thunderbolt II is just plain (plane) cool! So ugly they call it the “Warthog," a nickname that carries with it a great deal of affection and respect for this plane that isn’t afraid to get dangerously close to the action.
The “Warthog’s” large, unswept high-aspect ratio wing and large ailerons give it excellent low-speed, low-altitude maneuverability. In addition, many of the aircraft’s parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers. Both of these unique attributes make the A-10 easily serviced in remote airfields.
Edge 540
Perfect for airshows not only because of Bill Stein's amazing airshow flying routine, but also because his Edge 540 has a completely unique look.
Using cutting edge paint technology, Stein has designed the spectacular look of his new airplane using a paint that continuously changes color based on the angles between the spectators, the airplane, and the lighting from green to purple to blue along with gold, yellow, pink, and orange!
U.S. Navy F/A-18 “Super” Hornet
All the way from Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, Strike Fighter Squadron 122 is proud to showcase the F/A-18 to audiences around the world. Airshows are the best place to see a Super Hornet in action. The Tactical Demonstration or “Tac Demo” team flies the F/A-18 as close to the “edge of the envelope” as safety and prudence allow.
The routine highlights the Rhino’s maneuverability and slow-speed handling characteristics and is designed to showcase the mobility, versatility, and power of the F/A-18 for the citizens who look to the Navy for the defense of freedom. From the high “G” minimum radius turn to the slow speed “high-alpha” pass, the Demo flight puts the Rhino through its paces!
Read More About This Performance
F8F BearCat
Since around 1983, warbird expert Steve Hinton has performed at airshows all over the world in more than 150 different kinds of aircraft.
His restoration business has brought more than 40 warplanes back to perfect flying condition. He was a founding member of the Motion Picture Pilots Association, a civilian pilot with the USAF Heritage Flight, the holder of the World Speed Record, and the winner of the Reno Air Race. He has been the president of the Planes of Fame Aviation Museum since 1994. He has flown WWII fighters for more than 7,000 hours. Don't miss out on the chance to see this plane in action!
U2 "Dragon Lady"
A top-secret military installation (the Ranch) outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, hosted the U-2's debut flight in 1955. Utility is represented by the "U" in "U-2." The "Dragon Lady" has been a cornerstone of NASA and the U.S. Air Force since the 1950s.
Even from the USS America, the U-2 has carried out operations from aircraft carriers.
The U-2 can fly at higher heights than some of the most cutting-edge fifth generation fighter aircraft of today, right up to the edge of space, thanks to its enormous wings!
That is evidence of the incredible engineering prowess of the best minds in America.
Other Fun on the Ground
Display Aircrafts
In addition to watching the spectacular performances, you'll have the chance to explore grounded planes, meet pilots and interact with crew members. This is your chance to get up close, especially if you love aviation. Nothing is more fascinating than touring vintage military planes, especially ones that flew back in World War II.
This year you can expect to see, and even climb through, some of the largest military planes the US military has to offer including the C-5 Super Galaxy M, C-17 Globemaster II, KC-10 Extender, & KC-135 Stratotanker! Explore the air delivery service vessels in two of the largest air-cargo fleets in the world and meet the first responders and aircrafts that make up the law enforcement, medi-vac, surveillance and firefighting agencies in the U.S.
Vendor Booths
In addition to the show in the sky, first-class entertainment is still on the ground with food, drinks, and vendor booths aplenty! ATMs are NOT available, but every vendor will have options to pay with debit or credit card.
The Hangar: Tastings by The Barrel District
NEW THIS YEAR! Rancho Cordova's Barrel District will be offering tastings of their finest brews and spirits. Tickets to the tasting garden will be available so you can sip sample pours of locally-brewed craft beers, hard kombucha, bourbon, and more! Hurry to get your tickets... tastings WILL sell out.
Purchase Tickets to The Hangar
