The owner of a Florida company that specializes in producing air shows from Florida to New York met July 13 with members of the Augusta Aviation Commission’s air show subcommittee.
Bryan Lilley, owner of B. Lilley Productions, was in town to answer questions about what it will take to stage an air show in Augusta and to tour the airport property.
Lilley had spoken to the full commission virtually on May 26 to outline what his company offers and what needs to be done to bring an air show back to Augusta Regional Airport. The last one was held 20 years ago.
During that meeting, the commission approved allowing Lilley to file an application requesting a show featuring Raptor F-22 and F-35 military aircraft, or a larger show featuring either the Thunderbirds or the Blue Angels.
Lilley told committee members and airport staff he had filed the applications requesting military support for an air show in 2023 and 2024. The deadline to file was July 1.
Filing an application is not a guarantee a city will be selected. It also doesn’t lock the city into anything initially nor has the commission formally contracted with Lilley.
The smaller air show sets its schedule one year in advance. The larger show featuring the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels schedules two years in advance. But Lilley said an opening had developed May 13 and 14, 2023 in the latter’s schedule.
Although just ten months away, Lilley said it is sufficient time to arrange a show in Augusta.
“Very much. There’s excellent team, and it’s a fabulous facility,” he said. “It lays out a lot like the site we do already in Orange County, New York. So, I think it would be very achievable.”
Subcommittee Chairman Randy Sasser agreed.
“It’s very doable. Very, very doable,” he said. “And it is a blessing that we have an opening in such a major show’s schedule to accommodate.”
Although hiring Lilley must be approved by the full Aviation Commission, subcommittee members told him to throw Augusta’s name in the hat as being interested in hosting the mid-May show.
Lilley reiterated what he told the commission members during the May meeting, staging an air show will cost them nothing. His company assumes all the financial risk. Should the airport have to cover any expenses, such as providing required EMS service and having an ambulance on site, they will be fully reimbursed.
Lilley said Augusta does have a unique situation. The size of the pattern for a show by the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels extends across the Savannah River into South Carolina. He said this would be the first show his company has staged involving two states.
Subcommittee members expressed support for the air show and officially hiring Lilley’s company. The item will be on the aviation commission’s July 28 regular meeting for discussion and a vote.
Lilley’s company will have an air show in Peachtree City Nov. 5 and 6. Some commissioners and airport staff will attend to see how the show is staged and what to expect locally.
Information about the November event is available at: https://airshowatlanta.com/
In the meantime, airport staff will begin initial planning, including working out logistics with Beech Island and South Carolina, anticipating hiring Lilley’s company will be approved and Augusta will once again host an air show at Bush Field.
“We’re going to have an air show soon,” said Sasser confidently.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
