The 2026 Cocoa Beach Air Dot Show opened April 11 with the Blue Angels flight team performing over the Space Coast. The demonstration marked the first day of the three-day event at the Cocoa Beach Airport. Spectators filled the viewing area as the Navy's elite aerobatic team executed precision maneuvers just 500 feet above the crowd. Photographer Craig Bailey captured the action for Florida Today, noting the event drew an estimated 15,000 people by midday.
The U.S. Air Force's F-16 Viper demonstration team followed with high-speed passes that sent shockwaves through the stands. The 920th Rescue Wing then showcased a water rescue operation, deploying a helicopter to simulate saving a swimmer near the beach. Military personnel from the SOCOM Para-commandos added a dramatic touch later in the day, with troops parachuting onto the runway in a mid-air insertion exercise.
John Black, a civilian aerobatic pilot, closed the day's performances with a solo display of loop-de-loops and rolls. His routine included a 360-degree spin over the Atlantic Ocean, visible to viewers on the beach. Local resident Maria Gonzalez said the event reminded her of her childhood visits to the Air Show in the 1990s.
The Air Dot Show runs through April 13 with daily performances starting at 10 a.m. Admission is free, though parking fees apply. Organizers expect over 50,000 attendees by the event's end. The Blue Angels will return for a second show on Sunday at 2 p.m.