And come May 29 and 30, the plans will be complete, fences will be laid and outhouses will stand at the ready, as the United States Air Force Thunderbirds elite team of pilots roars over Sunnyvale for the first time in 16 years for the Air and Space Show at Moffett Field.

Steve Teatro, executive producer of the event, said the show should bring almost 100,000 spectators, 50 pilots and hundreds of crew members to the Sunnyvale and Mountain View area. The show also gives local residents a chance to meet recent war veterans, check out planes from different historical eras and learn about air and space innovations.

This year, in addition to the Thunderbirds team of six F-16C "Falcons"—the Air Force equivalent of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels—there will be a vintage P-51 "Mustang" flying with an F-15 "Eagle" and a show of acrobatics in a Learjet, a plane typically used for luxury flights. On the ground, visitors will get a chance to meet the pilots of the planes and tour a number of other aircraft, including two F-15s that flew security around Washington D.C. on 9-11 and a NASA 747 used to transport space shuttles.

"Seeing young people and watching their reactions when they meet the pilots is great," said Teatro. "But so are the veterans looking at the planes they flew in the Second World War."

With all the support needed, from local hotel rooms to house pilots to local contractors to place fencing, the show could also bring almost $3.5 million to Sunnyvale and Mountain View, a 500 percent return on the $700,000 the event costs the Air Show Network.

Teatro—who flew for 20 years in the Canadian Air Force before joining Air Show Network—said that whenever these shows come to an area, it's a boon for the local economy, because they use local services for all their needs.

In addition, what was once an event for older veterans to come out and relive some of their memories, with the current conflicts overseas, veterans are much closer in age to the children and teenagers who come to watch the event.

"It allows the community a direct contact with the most recent generation of veterans and allows them to say 'thanks,'" Teatro said.

But even as the pilots and planes have changed over the years, the thrill of seeing them in action has stayed steady. After the Moffett show ends, Teatro said Air Show Network has to start working on October's Fleet Week in San Francisco, another event frequented by stunt teams, including the Navy's Blue Angels.

And after 24 years of involvement—including several as a pilot—Teatro said he still gets excited when planes fly overhead. He also has an immediate answer when asked "Blue Angels or Thunderbirds?"

"Snowbirds," he responds with a smile, referring to the Canadian Air Force's squadron of nine CT-114 "Tutor" jets.

The air show will take place May 29 and 30. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. both days. Advanced tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children. At the door they are $20 and $15. For information, call 1.800.553.6637.