The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor demonstration is set to roar over St. Cloud Sky Central Airport next Saturday and Sunday, headlining the North Star Air Show with a Minnesota hometown pilot in the cockpit. Captain Nic "Laz" Le Tourneau, a New York Mills native who earned his private pilot certificate at 18 in Perham, now leads the Air Force's F-22 Demonstration Team. For central Minnesota aviation fans, it is a rare chance to see a fifth-generation fighter fly a full demo this close to home.
When and where
Gates open at 9:00 a.m. both days, with the aerial program slated for roughly noon to 3:00 p.m., according to the North Star Air Show. The show's homepage lists the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team as the headliner, and Saturday premium seating is already showing as sold out on the event site (North Star Air Show). The airport also carries the North Star Air Show on its calendar and posts directions and parking details for visitors (St. Cloud Sky Central Airport).
Local pilot in command
Captain Nic "Laz" Le Tourneau serves as the F-22 Demo Team commander and is originally from New York Mills, according to his official Air Force biography at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. That profile tracks his path from earning a private pilot certificate in Perham and attending the U.S. Air Force Academy to F-22 training and operational assignments, and notes he was selected for the demo team in 2024 after deployments and hundreds of flight hours. The team's official biography and photos on DVIDS confirm those details and show the demo crew in action on the road.
What you'll see
The Air Force notes that "the Raptor can exceed Mach 2," and the single-ship demonstration focuses on high-alpha passes, pedal turns and rapid pitch changes that highlight the jet's thrust-vectoring and agile flight controls (U.S. Air Force). Alongside the F-22, organizers say the weekend lineup will feature a P-51 Mustang, the NextGen Eagles aerobatic act and the RE/MAX skydiving team, mixing warbird flybys, precision aerobatics and parachute jumps, as reported by WJON. Show producers say the program is designed to put on a good show and spark interest in aviation among younger spectators who might someday pursue flying careers.
Tickets and tips
All tickets and viewing packages must be purchased online in advance, since the event is gated and there is no on-site box office. The airport's event page lists directions, terminal hours and parking details for air show attendees, and organizers recommend arriving early and packing ear protection, especially for kids (St. Cloud Sky Central Airport). Expect heavier traffic around the airport on show days, and follow staff instructions for parking and entry to get settled on the field before the jets light up the sky.
