Meet The Newest Thunderbird Pilot: A Davenport Native

After a few years as the pilot of the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, Capt. RaZZ is taking off into a new career: as part of the USAF Thunderbirds!

Samuel "RaZZ" Larson has flown the Quad Cities Air Show the past two years, showing off what one of the most advanced fighter jets ever built could do, in front of 10 million specators each year throughout his demo tours.

His roots are tied deeply to the Quad Cities and the Quad City Air Show because he grew up in Davenport, and graduated from Bettendorf High School.

WIN: Once In A Lifetime Flight At Quad Cities Air Show

Now, he'll be behind the stick of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, flying in air shows around the world with some of the best pilots the US Air Force has to offer as Thunderbird #8.

You can see the USAF Thunderbirds at the 2025 Quad Cities Air Show, and win tickets from us!

Way to go RaZZ!