The 3+ Hour Show lineup, with 15 headlining acts, is presented by the Greater Wildwoods Tourism and Improvement Development Authority and produced by David Schultz Airshows
The Wildwoods, NJ – August 28, 2025 – The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) is proud to present the highly anticipated ‘Thunder Over the Waves Airshow’, produced by David Schultz Airshows. The Airshow will be held on September 5 (practice day) and September 6 (main event) along the beaches of the Wildwoods, NJ, featuring more than a dozen aerial acts from military parachutists to formation teams to solo propeller-driven performances and jet aerobatics.
Thunder Over the Waves Airshow Veteran Air Bosses David Schultz and Greg Witmer
The David Schultz Airshows team is comprised of professional Air Bosses, Airshow Announcers, highly trained Ground Operations staff, and many others who work tirelessly behind the scenes. One crucial aspect of the Airshow, unseen by the public, is the role of the Air Boss. Much like an air traffic controller at a busy airport, the Air Boss provides instructions to Airshow performers on when they can safely take off, begin their routine, and when to land. While most Airshows have one Air Boss handling these responsibilities, an event of this size and scope requires two Air Bosses: David Schultz and Greg Witmer.
Both David and Greg have more than thirty years of experience at the helm of Airshows across North America and the Caribbean. David is the President of David Schultz Airshows and Greg Witmer serves as the Vice President of Operations of the company. They have safely and successfully executed hundreds of Airshows at military bases like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey and Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, over large beachfronts and in nearby Ocean City, at civilian airports of all sizes, and even over auto racetracks such as the Pocono Raceway. On many occasions, they have even conducted Airshows at night.
“The Wildwoods Airshow stages from numerous area airports and has aerial hold points in several areas within 10 to 15 miles from the Airshow location. Like a choreographed Broadway show, there are dozens of moving parts at any given time during the airshow. Having two Air Bosses at the event allows us to never compromise on safety while continuously keeping something in front of the crowd once the flying starts,” explained Schultz.
Behind the Scenes: The Critical Role of the Air Bosses
The Air Bosses’ responsibilities extend beyond that of an Airshow’s air traffic controller; in fact, their responsibilities begin months before the airshow takes place. It is their responsibility to ensure the proper paperwork is filed with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within certain timelines, draft an Airshow schedule that represents a delicate balance of showmanship and safety, and work with airport and airspace management to deconflict any remaining logistical items as well as the timing of any scheduled airline arrivals and departures.
“While the Wildwoods event will not affect any Commercial Traffic into Atlantic City or other nearly major airports, our Air Bosses work closely with numerous airspace offices as well as with local airports to stage the aircraft and to sequence them in and out of our airshow restricted airspace. For the safety of the pilots and patrons, a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) and a Marine Advisory will be posted closing the airspace and some of the waterway off the Wildwoods coastline during the event,” said Schultz.
Schultz and Witmer will conduct safety briefings each show day with all the Airshow’s participants. The briefings are attended by the Airshow performers, first responders, representatives from the FAA and USCG, air traffic controllers, and other personnel deemed essential to the Airshow. The briefings cover the day’s activities, including the weather forecast, the Airshow schedule, emergency procedures, and many other details essential to the overall safety of the Airshow. Schultz and Witmer will then proceed to the Airshow’s show center control of operations where they will don headsets and masterfully conduct a safe and entertaining event for the large crowd on the beach, boardwalk and in the water. They will do this aided by technology that enables them to receive real-time weather information and monitor air traffic in the region to ensure sterile airspace is maintained during the Airshow.
An event like the Wildwoods “Thunder Over the Waves” Airshow also requires the Air Bosses to coordinate with assets at sea – a requirement for any Airshow held over a body of water. The Wildwoods Airshow will have assets from the U.S. Coast Guard, including Coast Guard vessels marking show center and other points creating a sterilized zone for the Airshow flying to take place. Dive teams and other rescue boats are positioned in strategic locations in the water in the unlikely event an incident occurs. These assets are in communication with the Air Bosses not only during the Airshow but also before the Airshow takes place. The Air Bosses from Schultz Airshows also utilize marine radios instead of aviation radios for the coordination of the water assets.
“We utilize a great deal of specialized technology and high-powered aviation and marine radios so that we are aware of all aircraft movements and waterway closures needed to safely execute the Air Show. Show Control is a very busy place during the event with not only the Airbosses there but also our Airshow’s Announcer, Radio Simulcast personnel, the FAA, numerous security and safety officials there to streamline communication and to make the Airshow look seamless to the audience,” said Schultz.
As the September dates for the Wildwoods “Thunder Over the Waves” Airshow approach, both Schultz and Witmer are looking forward to this year’s Airshow and have no doubt that the Wildwoods Airshow will grow over the next few years.
Wildwoods’ Proven Track Record Hosting Large-Scale, World-Class Events
“Events in the Wildwoods like the Airshow are no small feat, but they make the Wildwoods buzz with excitement. It’s always a thrill to see our events draw thousands of visitors to experience our island,” explained Lou Belasco, GWTIDA Executive Director.
The Wildwoods are pros at hosting jaw-dropping large-scale events. In June, the Wildwoods hosted the 5th Annual Barefoot Country Music Festival, which sees over 150,000 attendees each year gathering on the beach to watch country’s hottest stars from Luke Bryan to Jason Aldean. The Wildwoods capacity for large-scale events on the beach and indoors at the Wildwoods Convention Center are unmatched on the Jersey Shore. For each event, GWTIDA arranges lodging alongside the island’s more than 11,000 accommodations and coordinates the run of show and on-the-ground logistics that make the Wildwoods a year-round hub on the Jersey Shore. The Airshow has become one of the Wildwoods’ most highly anticipated events, combining the island’s unique capacity for large-scale, family-favorite events with Schultz’s and Witmer’s decades of experience producing Airshows.
Alongside the Airshow, the Wildwoods will still be offering all the attractions that bring families back to the islands each year, including the FREE white sandy beaches, the pure sensory overload of the Wildwoods Boardwalk, in addition to museums, unique dining options, outdoor activities, and a host of hidden gems across the five-mile island.
Thunder Over the Waves Airshow Schedule
Spectators can witness the incredible performers from the Boardwalk or the beach with show center at Spicer Avenue. The Airshow will be simulcast LIVE on radio station 98.7 The Coast (WCZT) – and streamed by downloading the 98.7 The Coast FREE App to listen LIVE!
Below is the schedule of current acts in the lineup for the airshow (subject to change):
11:00 a.m. Waterway Closes, Aerobatic Box in effect
11:30 a.m. Airspace Closes for Airshow, TFR in Effect, Boats in Place
Radio Simulcast begins on 98.7 The Coast
11:50 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
12:00 p.m. US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Flag Jump w/National Anthem
12:08 p.m. US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Mass Exit Show
12:15 p.m. US Navy VP-30 P-8 Poseidon Demonstration (3-passes)
12:21 p.m. Jersey Jerks Formation Flight (4-ship)
12:35 p.m. Kevin Russo SNJ Aerobatics
12:50 p.m. Jerry Conley Vampire Airshows DH-115 Aerobatics
1:02 p.m. JeffSTAT 4 H145 Flybys (2-passes)
1:05 p.m. Mark Meredith DHC-1 Chipmunk Aerobatics
1:17 p.m. Jim Beasley Jr P-51D Mustang Aerobatic Demonstration
1:29 p.m. US Air Force 514th AMW C-17A Globemaster III Flyby #1
1:31 p.m. US Coast Guard MH-65E Search & Rescue Demonstration
1:41 p.m. US Air Force 514th AMW C-17A Globemaster III Flyby #2
1:43 p.m. Patrick McAlee Xtreme Pitts Aerobatics
1:58 p.m. Full Throttle Formation Team (10 ship)
2:16 p.m. Greg Colyer ACEMAKER T-33 Aerobatics
2:35 p.m. Scott Francis MXS Aerobatics
2:50 p.m. US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team Mass Exit Show
3:10 p.m. FighterJets MiG-17 (2-Ship) Demonstration
4:00 p.m. Airspace Re-Opens, TFR Ends, Boats Disperse
Food and Music Festival Keeps the Celebration Going After the Airshow
After the excitement of the Airshow, visitors are welcome to join the unofficial afterparty, The Wildwoods Food and Music Festival at Byrne Plaza in Downtown Wildwood from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Food and Music Festival will feature food vendors serving up delectable food, sweets, classic boardwalk eats and more, in addition to craft vendors, a beer garden, and live bands providing excitement following the epic performances at the Airshow. For more information on the Wildwoods Food and Music Festival, click here.
Airshow Sponsors
Funding for the Wildwoods ‘Thunder Over the Waves’ Airshow comes from a combination of sources, including Title Sponsor: The Greater Wildwoods Tourism, Improvement, and Development Authority (GWTIDA); Surf Level Sponsors: South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), Forge Apollo, Aloysius Butler & Clark, and support from the Cape May County Department of Tourism. Shore Level Sponsors: Greater Wildwood Hotel & Motel Association, Morey Resorts, 98.7 The Coast Radio, and J. Byrne Insurance; Beach Level Sponsors: Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA), Braven Health, New Jersey Lottery, Daytona Inn & Suites, and MudHen Brewing Company. Lifeguard Level Sponsors: Adventurer Oceanfront Inn, Madison Resort Wildwood Crest, Mahalo Diamond Beach, Louisiana Hot Sauce, VIP Family Motel, Bolero Resort & Conference Center, Seaport Pier, and Compass Family Resort. The Airshow will be a free event for the public to attend. Sponsorship packages are available by contacting GWTIDA at 609-846-2657 or email at [email protected].
VIP Viewing Options
While the Airshow is free to attend, there is still limited availability for prime VIP viewing areas available for purchase. For the ultimate in viewing comfort there are exclusive Airshow Chalets available, with the best view of the action. The Chalets are 20’ x 30’ high ceiling tents with tables and chairs, unlimited soda, water and ice and 60 viewing chairs outside the tent at show center, Also available at show center are Show Center VIP seating and Beach Club seating. Visit WildwoodsAirshow.com or TicketMaster.com for tickets or call 609-846-2659 for all VIP seating options.
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