Fly-By & Show Details

Experience the power and precision of the F-35A Lightning II in a special fly-by and show, brought to Pistons & Props by the 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard from Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin. This is a fly-by pass over the show grounds during the airshow rather than a full aerobatic demonstration — a rare chance to see and hear America’s newest fifth-generation stealth fighter overhead.

The fly-by time will be released as we get closer to the show. Military fly-bys are subject to operational availability and weather.

Ticket Information

About the F-35A Lightning II

The F-35A Lightning II is the U.S. Air Force’s newest fifth-generation fighter, a stealthy, multirole, all-weather air-to-air and surface attack aircraft designed to enable direct attack against the most heavily defended ground targets. It brings next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability for the United States and allied nations.

The conventional takeoff and landing F-35A is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g-capable multirole fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. Its advanced sensor package includes the Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System, the Electro-Optical Targeting System, and the most advanced helmet mounted display system of its kind, which replaces the traditional Heads Up Display.

With nine countries involved in its development, the F-35 represents a new model of international cooperation that supports U.S. and Coalition partner security well into the 21st century. It is designed to replace aging fighter inventories including U.S. Air Force F-16s and A-10s, U.S. Navy F/A-18s, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18s, and U.K. Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation stealth fighter in flight.
F-35A Lightning II banking against a clear sky.
F-35A Lightning II profile showing stealth airframe contours.

Performance Highlights

  • Top speedMach 1.6 (~1,200 mph)
  • Thrust43,000 lb
  • G capability9g
  • Range1,350+ miles internal fuel

Key Stats

  • Generation5th
  • Prime contractorLockheed Martin
  • EnginePratt & Whitney F135-PW-100
  • Wingspan35 ft
  • Length51 ft
  • Max takeoff weight70,000 lb class
  • Payload18,000 lb

About the 115th Fighter Wing

The 115th Fighter Wing is a unit of the Wisconsin Air National Guard based at Truax Field in Madison, Wisconsin. The wing received its first F-35A Lightning II aircraft in April 2023, becoming one of the first Air National Guard units in the country to fly the fifth-generation fighter.

In addition to its federal mission of providing combat-ready airpower and its state mission of supporting Wisconsin communities, the wing regularly performs flyovers at public events across the region — and Pistons & Props is proud to welcome its F-35A over the show.

Learn more at the 115th Fighter Wing official website.

F-35A Photo Gallery

F-35A Lightning II with weapons bay and underside detail.
F-35A Lightning II soaring during a demonstration pass.
F-35A Lightning II with afterburner engaged.
F-35A Lightning II climbing into a vertical maneuver.
F-35A Lightning II cockpit and canopy detail in flight.
F-35A Lightning II tail and twin vertical stabilizers detail.
F-35A Lightning II on the ramp with full payload markings.