What you'll see: The main attractions

The Mountain Madness '05 Air Show gets under way today and continues all day Sunday at Glacier Park International Airport.

The event, expected to draw as many as 50,000 spectators, is sponsored by the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce.

Here's a rundown of the show's highlights:

-Blue Angels

This premier U.S. Navy flight-demonstration team takes precision to a whole new level, with choreographed maneuvers that are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

The six-jet Delta formation and impressive four-plane diamond are among the team's renowned maneuvers. Fast-paced moves of solo pilots keep the action coming.

The F/A-18 Hornets, dual-role fighter/attack aircraft that serve on the nation's front lines of defense, are capable of flying up to 1,200 miles per hour, nearly twice the speed of sound.

During the air show, the Blue Angels will fly about 700 mph at the fastest and 120 mph at the slowest. During certain formations, their wingspans are only 18 inches apart.

-Pietsch Air Show

Founded by Al Pietsch and his family and friends, The Pietsch Air Show has been around for 37 years. Al flew until 1995, when his sons took over the variety acts. Based in Minot, N.D., the brothers are both stunt and commercial pilots who have logged thousands of hours of air time.

Kent Pietsch flies a 1942 Interstate Cadet in his comedy act that includes antics such as the aileron falling off in midair.

Warren Pietsch modified a 1946 Taylorcraft to perfect his aerobatics routine.

They'll also bring out their home-built Schortenzummer, a 960-pound stunt plane.

-T-6A team

This team's performance reflects the skills of America's top aviators and the capabilities of the Air Force's newest and most advanced primary trainer plane, the T-6A Texan II. The aircraft reaches speeds in excess of 300 miles per hour and altitudes of up to 5,000 feet.

-Barnstormer

John Mohr brings his barnstorming skills and his 1943 Stock Stearman PT-17 to the Mountain Madness Air Show.

He replaces the Franklin Flying Circus. Jimmy Franklin was killed July 10 in an air-show accident in Canada.

Mohr grew up hearing tales of his grandfather, who barnstormed through the Midwest after World War I. With 25,000 hours of flight time to his credit, he's been flying since age 5.

-Shockley's Shockwave

This truck has power that doesn't get off the ground, but it's nevertheless impressive.

It's a jet-powered truck capable of producing 36,000 horsepower. Les and Kent Shockley spent 4,000 hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars building what has now become one of the most sought-after acts on the air-show circuit.

The truck can go from 0 to 350 mph in a half-mile.

-Skydivers

Skydivers from the Flathead Valley's own Skydive Lost Prairie in Marion will parachute in with American, Montana and Canadian flags as an opening act.

-F-15 team

The U.S. Air Force F-15 team performs precision aerial maneuvers, demonstrating to the public the unique capabilities of the Air Force's high-performance aircraft.

The team of one pilot and 13 support staffers is based at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va.

Aircraft flown during the air show are fully combat-capable and would immediately deploy to war if needed.

-Ground displays

Air-show goers will be treated to dozens of static exhibits during the two-day show. Military jets, helicopters, cargo planes and antique aircraft are among the featured aircraft.

Highlights include:

AH-64A Apache

Ch-47D Chinook

F/A-18 Hornet

C-5 Galaxy

F-15 Eagle

AV-8B Harrier

E-2C Hawkeye

EA-6B Prowler

C-17 Globemaster

T-45C Goshawk

TH-57 Sea Ranger

C-12 Huron

Bradley Fighting Vehicle