NewsTreasure CoastRegion Martin CountyStuart

Actions

Heavy rain, gusty winds ground some planes at Stuart Air Show

A-10 Thunderbolt II wows spectators
Posted at 12:52 AM, Nov 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-09 00:52:19-05

STUART, Fla. — The Stuart Air Show was forced to make some changes due to high winds Sunday. This was the 30-year anniversary of the event on the Treasure Coast.

Pilot Cody Wilton stood back and described his plane's accessories.

"We've got missiles, bombs, rockets all of each flavor," he said.

MORE COVERAGE: Latest forecast | Closures | Track the storm

Wilton was prepared to take flight in his A-10 Thunderbolt II at the Stuart Air Show. Once in the cockpit, he began to taxi and then was quickly airborne.

Stuart Air Show
Spectators at the Stuart Air Show endured heavy rain during Sunday's event.

COVID-19 protocols were in place, but it wasn't the pandemic that hampered the fun -- it was Tropical Storm Eta.

"Even in bad weather, I'll show up," one man said while standing in the pouring rain.

Board member Doug Davis said due to high winds and gusts, certain planes were unable to perform.

"Some of the smaller planes and even some of the jets [were grounded]. It's a safety concern for the high winds. So, we're going to be limited, but we are going to do everything we can to give the crowd a show," Davis said.

Doug Davis
Stuart Air Show Board Member Doug Davis said certain planes were unable to perform Sunday due to the inclement weather from Tropical Storm Eta.

Early on in the show, the only plane to fly was the A-10, and boy was it a show.

"A-10 is a super cool plane," one spectator said.

The weather didn't cooperate, but the crowds enjoyed everything the Stuart Air Show had to offer.