DAYTON — Pilots and teams from across the country have started landing in southwest Ohio for the 50th Dayton Air Show.

It all kicks-off this weekend and you can expect big crowds, however these high temperatures aren’t going unnoticed.

For pilots flying literal pieces of history, it’s important to pay attention to the hot weather and be prepared.

What You Need To Know

  • Pilots performing at the Dayton Air Show are paying close attention to the high temperatures

  • The Titan Aerobatic Team takes to the sky in historic WWII planes

  • Main concerns for heat and performing are oil temperature and density altitude

Jimmy Fordham, Bryan Regan and Steve Gustafson are pilots with the Titan Aerobatic Team.

“We do the same thing as the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, except we do it in propeller driven airplanes,” Gustafson said.

“These are North American A-T 6 Advanced Trainers. They were all built in the World War II era and each one of them has a military background on it,” explained Fordham.

From bullet holes to one even flown by Neil Armstrong, each of the three planes has a story.

“Flew my first air show in it when I was 19 and still flying it today. It’s been 40 something years of air show flying in that same airplane that I grew up sitting in as a kid,” Gustafson said.

These planes mean a lot and even though the trio hails from Louisiana and fly in air shows all across the country. The heat in Dayton, Ohio, this week is something they’re keeping an eye on.

“We do watch the oil temperature. It can get pretty hot at the top of the range, close to the red line in places like this and days like today,” Regan said.

Along with oil, the pilots are also watching the density altitude.

“Most of the heat we feel down here below 2,000 feet is radiated heat from the ground,” Regan said.

“When you’re on the ground, you treat it as if it was at 3,000 feet. What does that mean? The airplane doesn’t produce much lift, not as much power, a little lethargic,” Gustafson said.

“It’s like being up real high, that thin air doesn’t support flying very well so we have to be careful that the airplane is going to go a lot farther to make the same amount of turn because you have to maintain a density of air over the wings, and that low-density air and the heat, that’s something we’ve got to watch out for,” Regan added.

When temperatures get really high, the team may take breaks in-between maneuvers.

They work a lot with potential energy.

“Which means we get up high, and we use it almost like a glider as we make our way down. If it’s really hot, you run out of potential energy pretty quick,” said Regan.

In terms of keeping themselves safe, the pilots are also staying hydrated and focused.

The WWII planes don’t have any air conditioning and the flight suits are fire resistant.

“So they don’t breathe very well, so wear a lot of deodorant. That’s all I can tell you and drink lots of water,” Gustafson said with a smile.

The team is ready and excited to be back in Dayton.

“It’s the history, the Wright Brothers, Ohio, the state itself. Dayton is an awesome air show. Main thing I want to tell them people is to stay hydrated and enjoy because we’ve going to put on a great for you. You’ve got a lot of great performers that are going to be here. Smoke On!,” said Fordham.

The Dayton Air Show is this Saturday and Sunday.

Last year, more than 80,000 people came to see the performers over the weekend.

In addition to the flights, you can expect to see a lot of attractions, a kids’ area and the air show parade.