12-04-2025
‘You can't just wing it.' How pilots prepare for the Marine Corps Air Show in Beaufort, SC
As roaring jets streak across the sky over Beaufort for the Marine Corps Air Show this weekend, what spectators won't see is how much precision, discipline and skill goes into each maneuver.
For months, these skilled pilots train and practice for hours on end, only to perform for a mere few minutes in the sky.
'They don't go out there and just wing it,' said Danny Lucas, director of the Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport, where pilots from the Full Throttle Formation Team were spotted practicing earlier this week.
The team, based in Atlanta, is one of several elite aviation groups scheduled to perform at this year's show, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps.
The air show runs Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13, at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
If you want to catch the Full Throttle Formation Team in action, their scheduled performance time is from 1:05-1:17 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
According to Lucas, who watched the team practice ahead of this weekend's show, the work behind the scenes is intense.
'There's something called 'chair flying,' where pilots rehearse their entire routine from the ground,' he said. 'They'll walk through every maneuver, imagining where they are in the sky, what their airspeed is and what position they hold in the formation. Sometimes, they do it with their eyes closed. It's all about muscle memory and mental focus.'
The result? A seamless performance that looks effortless to those watching from the ground.
Lucas notes that it's important for the public, especially younger children, to understand that airshows aren't just about spectacle.
'It's all based on a plan,' Lucas said. 'No matter if you're flying a private jet to a military plane, you have to have a path to get from where you are to where you want to be. You can't just wing it.'
Aviation blends both art and science, which is a delicate balance that becomes especially complex once you're in the air.
That's why these air shows can be special for visitors both big and small because they offer ways to connect people to a larger conversation about STEM education.
'We live in an area surrounded by airports and aviation,' Lucas said. 'This provides a great way to get kids thinking about science, technology, engineering and math, which are critically important skills, even if they don't want to become pilots.'
That's why the focus for these air shows extends beyond aviation but helps blend local opportunities with educational goals to encourage curiosity.
'We want our kids to use their imagination but also set themselves up to follow a particular path to get from where they are to where they want to be,' Lucas said.
With a packed weekend of intricate aerial performances and family-friendly fun, the 2025 Marine Corps Air Show promises to be a can't-miss event not just for aviation lovers but for anyone who enjoys a high-adrenaline demonstration of precision, discipline and teamwork.
What: Marine Corps Air Show featuring the Blue Angels
When: Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13
Where: Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort: Geiger Boulevard
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