Wings Over Solano 2026: Thunderbirds & Pilot Debuts

USAF Thunderbirds solos executing a high-speed opposing crossover pass at the Wings Over Solano air show. — The Thunderbird solos thrilled the fans with multiple opposing passes like this one.

The air show season has finally taken off in Northern California as I attended my first event of the 2026 season, the Wings Over Solano air show at Travis Air Force Base. More than 100,000 people endured traffic and security waits to watch the headliner U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform.

Travis AFB is home for the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the largest wing in the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, with a fleet of C-5 Super Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III cargo aircraft, as well as KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling aircraft. One of the fan favorites of this show is the Parade of Heavies, but current overseas operational needs whittled the parade down to a single C-5 followed by a solo KC-46 demo.

The unmistakable profile of a C-5M Super Galaxy about to land. The landing gear of the C-5M utilizes a total of 28 wheels to handle a maximum takeoff weight of over 840,000 pounds.

A Boeing KC-46A Pegasus makes a low pass at the air show. Travis AFB recently received its 24th and final KC-46A, completing the base’s transition from the now-retired KC-10 Extender.

Those same operational constraints meant the flight schedule lineup was primarily civilian acts. Two performers I had not seen before — in fact one was someone no one had seen before.

Michael Mainiero is a Young Eagles success story, motivated by that flight to become a pilot at 17 and earning subsequent ratings that saw him into his current position as a Boeing 777 captain for Kalitta Air. Along the way, Michael also developed a love for aerobatics, which led to his air show career debut at Wings Over Solano in a Sukhoi Su-29. Even more special was having his wife Emmy announcing for him.

Michael Mainiero roars past show center piloting his Sukhoi Su-29 in his first air show performance. In his day job, you will find Michael captaining a Kalitta Air Boeing 777.

Eric Tucker was on hand to perform his comedy as a hapless winner of a free flight, culminating with a landing on top of an ambulance. Eric would return to demonstrate a power-off “dead stick” routine in his Piper Cub.

Eric Tucker skillfully brings his Piper J-3C Cub down onto this mobile landing platform at the close of his performance.

Eric Tucker performed again, this time with a dead-stick energy management routine in the Piper J-3C Cub. Eric was trying to get the prop spinner into his wife’s hand — so close!

Aarron Delui and Anthony Oshinuga rounded out the solo aerobatic elements of the show. Anthony delivered a tight performance in his nimble Pitts. Aarron recently moved to the U.S. from Australia and put on a great show with his Extra 330. It was my first time seeing Aarron and I hope to see him again this season.

Anthony Oshinuga makes a level pass in his Pitts S-1S. Anthony has been competing and performing in this aircraft since 2014. He has been a consistent competitor at the U.S. National Aerobatic Championships.

Former Australian Unlimited and Freestyle Aerobatic Champion Aarron Delui makes a fly-by in his Extra 330SC, considered the world’s most successful unlimited-class aerobatic aircraft.

The Sukhoi West Demo Team, with Cory Lovell and Randy Howell, were the first team to perform with their Sukhoi SU-26s. These two would return later as part of the Patriots Jet Team, a six-jet ensemble flying Czech L-39 Albatros jets. Customarily wrapping up the day was the timeless Thunderbirds, performing their fifth air show of the season.

The Sukhoi West Demo Team in action as Cory Lovell and Randy Howell execute a crossover maneuver with their Sukhoi Su-26 aircraft at show center.

The L-39s of the Patriots Jet Team approach show center in a Delta formation. Formed in 2002, the team is the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the Western Hemisphere.

As there were no military fast jet demonstrations, warbird demos by Vicky Benzing and her P-51 Mustang “Plum Crazy” and Taigh Ramey with a Beech C-45 Expeditor rounded out the performance lineup.

Vicky Benzing entertained warbird fans with her P-51 Mustang “Plum Crazy.” The previous owner, Clay Lacy, piloted this Mustang to become the Reno champion back in 1970.

Taigh Ramey pilots this polished Beechcraft C-45 Expeditor light transport during a tribute to USAF cargo operations. This aircraft is part of the Stockton Field Aviation Museum collection.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Soaring Team was present, both with a static display and a flight demo with its German TG-16A sailplanes.

A graceful performance by the USAF Academy Aerobatic Demonstration Team using one of their TG-16A gliders. The USAF Academy operates one of the busiest daytime VFR glider operations in the United States.

The TG-16A is the primary glider used by the USAF Academy for its soaring and aerobatic programs. The heritage World War II livery is a nice touch.

A member of the USAF Academy Wings of Blue Parachute Team exits the Cessna 208A Caravan jump aircraft.

The slim selection of static aircraft on display was a balance of active-duty military, joined by Cal Fire and law enforcement assets, and a half dozen warbirds. Perhaps the heightened security measures limited the presence of more general aviation planes on the ramp.

Joby Aviation is developing this autonomous Cessna 208B Grand Caravan to perform fully autonomous taxiing, takeoff, and landings.

A Cal Fire Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk on static display at Travis AFB. In 2025 Cal Fire completed the transition of their helicopter assets to the Firehawk.

The California Highway Patrol operates the Australian GippsAero GA8 Airvan as its primary fixed-wing surveillance and patrol aircraft. There are 15 in the CHP fleet.

The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit operates one helicopter, this Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. It is used for patrol, search and rescue, and specialized transport.

One of two F-15C Eagles from the 144th Fighter Wing based at Fresno Air National Guard Base. The 144th is slated to be one of the final ANG units to transition to the new F-15EX Eagle II.

An iconic Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady, based at nearby Beale AFB. In April 2026, the Air Force officially requested to retire the remaining fleet of 23 U-2S aircraft by the end of FY 2027 without a stated replacement.

This lovely Douglas A-26C Invader hails from the Stockton Field Aviation Museum, wearing the livery of the Ninth AF, 386th Bomb Group. The museum acquired this A-26 in 2024 from the Cactus Air Force Wings and Wheels Museum in Nevada.

The Planes of Fame Lockheed P-38J Lightning “23 Skidoo” shares ramp space with the Planes of Fame’s F4U-1 Corsair. The world’s oldest flying Corsair, this one has been in the Planes of Fame collection since the early 1970s.

Considered the “ultimate” Mustang, the P-51H was 1,000 pounds lighter, the fuselage lengthened, the canopy reprofiled, and the cooling system completely redesigned.

An international flair was added by this visiting CF-18B Hornet from the Royal Canadian Air Force. Canada is preparing for the first deliveries later this year of its replacement, the F-35A Lightning II.

The Air Force is planning on retiring nearly half of the remaining A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, leaving just 54, enough to keep three squadrons flying until 2030. One was recently lost during Operation Epic Fury.

An opportunity to visit the C-5M Super Galaxy cockpit is one worth waiting in line for. The C-5M is the largest aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory.

A Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy looms large on the Travis AFB tarmac. This particular one served as a concert stage for military bands during the air show. There are 52 C-5Ms in the USAF fleet.

It was nonetheless a great start to my air show season, especially seeing some new air show acts.

Located in Solano County 40 miles from Sacramento, Travis is the principal military airlift hub in the western United States. The base is named for Brigadier General Robert F. Travis, who died in the crash of a B-29 Superfortress.

For more information: WingsOverSolano.com, Travis.af.mil

A Freshman Debut at Wings Over Solano

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