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Year after year, thousands of spectators flood the flightline during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh’s daily afternoon air show. This year will be no different, and the lineup is dressed to impress. From aerobatics to low-and-slow, and everything in between, our performers are ready to put on a show. Add the spectacular Wednesday and Saturday night air shows, filled with awe-inspiring performances and fireworks to delight all, and this will be an experience you’ll never forget. Welcome to Oshkosh!
*This list is subject to change – please check back as we continue to update.
Nathan Hammond made his debut at Oshkosh in his Super Chipmunk during AirVenture 2018 and he has made a name for himself in the aviation community by entertaining large crowds with his skywriting skills. In 2016, Nathan named his Chipmunk GhostWriter. His routine is action-packed with loops, rolls, and vertical maneuvers. During his night performance, GhostWriter lights up the sky with 200 pounds of wing-mounted pyrotechnics.
Kyle Franklin, son of late air show legend Jimmy Franklin, was destined for the sky the moment he was born. He began flying at age 8 in a Piper Super Cub, by age 14 he performed his first wing walk, and at 17 he was wing-walking professionally for his father. In addition to crawling out of the cockpit and dangling from airplanes, Kyle started his own piloting career performing in air shows at age 21.
This two-aircraft team follows in the tradition of the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Team, which dazzled audiences for 25 years until its retirement in 1995. Leland Kracher and Tom Braymer take the colorful Christen Eagle biplanes through their paces.
Until 2002, Greg flew jet aircraft for an Alabama corporation and performed airshows in his spare time. Today, Greg is a full time airshow and aerobatics professional. Greg is known throughout the USA and parts of Latin America as the foremost authority on the Super Decathlon aircraft. Besides doing an inverted ribbon cut 15 feet above the ground in airshows, Greg specializes in teaching pilots how to fly aerobatics in his Super Decathlon.
Ed is a retired USAF colonel with more than 30,000 hours of flying experience in aircraft that include the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He now flies his performance to salute the Folds of Honor organization, which provides scholarships to the families of America’s fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders.
Bill Stein puts on a thrilling performance in his unique Edge 540, the paint scheme of which changes color depending on lighting and viewing angle. Bill began flying aerobatics while he was still a student pilot, and has since logged more than 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. He has been part of the air show performance scene since 1995, and enjoys mentoring new air show pilots as a way to give back to the aviation community.
Bob Carlton does a stunning performance in his Super Salto jet sailplane. With its military-grade 250-pound-thrust PBS TJ-100 jet engine, the Super Salto self-launches and performs a high-speed aerobatic climb to altitude without a tow plane, followed by a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics. The Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered air show performance.
Bob is a retired rocket scientist known for creating spectacular one-off designs. He has been flying since 1979 and has experience across the board in aviation, from hang gliders to sailplanes, helicopters, and airplanes. He is always working on the next great project!
The Titan Aerobatic Team is a familiar name in air show lineups, having performed in the industry for more than 35 years. Alan Henley founded the team after meeting Steve Gustafson at an air show in Mississippi and flew with the team until 2008, when a non aviation-related accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Now his twin brother Mark Henley, team lead; Bryan Regan, right wing; Steve Gustafson, left wing; and Jimmy Fordham, slot; perform a series of loops, rolls, and bomb bursts in close formation for a classic aerobatic routine.
Nathan Hammond made his debut at Oshkosh in his Super Chipmunk during AirVenture 2018 and he has made a name for himself in the aviation community by entertaining large crowds with his skywriting skills. In 2016, Nathan named his Chipmunk GhostWriter. His routine is action-packed with loops, rolls, and vertical maneuvers. During his night performance, GhostWriter lights up the sky with 200 pounds of wing-mounted pyrotechnics.
Kyle Franklin, son of late air show legend Jimmy Franklin, was destined for the sky the moment he was born. He began flying at age 8 in a Piper Super Cub, by age 14 he performed his first wing walk, and at 17 he was wing-walking professionally for his father. In addition to crawling out of the cockpit and dangling from airplanes, Kyle started his own piloting career performing in air shows at age 21.
This two-aircraft team follows in the tradition of the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Team, which dazzled audiences for 25 years until its retirement in 1995. Leland Kracher and Tom Braymer take the colorful Christen Eagle biplanes through their paces.
Until 2002, Greg flew jet aircraft for an Alabama corporation and performed airshows in his spare time. Today, Greg is a full time airshow and aerobatics professional. Greg is known throughout the USA and parts of Latin America as the foremost authority on the Super Decathlon aircraft. Besides doing an inverted ribbon cut 15 feet above the ground in airshows, Greg specializes in teaching pilots how to fly aerobatics in his Super Decathlon.
Ed is a retired USAF colonel with more than 30,000 hours of flying experience in aircraft that include the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He now flies his performance to salute the Folds of Honor organization, which provides scholarships to the families of America’s fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders.
Bill Stein puts on a thrilling performance in his unique Edge 540, the paint scheme of which changes color depending on lighting and viewing angle. Bill began flying aerobatics while he was still a student pilot, and has since logged more than 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. He has been part of the air show performance scene since 1995, and enjoys mentoring new air show pilots as a way to give back to the aviation community.
Bob Carlton does a stunning performance in his Super Salto jet sailplane. With its military-grade 250-pound-thrust PBS TJ-100 jet engine, the Super Salto self-launches and performs a high-speed aerobatic climb to altitude without a tow plane, followed by a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics. The Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered air show performance.
Bob is a retired rocket scientist known for creating spectacular one-off designs. He has been flying since 1979 and has experience across the board in aviation, from hang gliders to sailplanes, helicopters, and airplanes. He is always working on the next great project!
The Titan Aerobatic Team is a familiar name in air show lineups, having performed in the industry for more than 35 years. Alan Henley founded the team after meeting Steve Gustafson at an air show in Mississippi and flew with the team until 2008, when a non aviation-related accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Now his twin brother Mark Henley, team lead; Bryan Regan, right wing; Steve Gustafson, left wing; and Jimmy Fordham, slot; perform a series of loops, rolls, and bomb bursts in close formation for a classic aerobatic routine.
Kyle Fowler is living out the dream of being an aerobatic pilot — a dream that he has had since the age of 12, when he would announce his own father’s aerobatic performances at air shows. He performs a thrilling routine in a homebuilt yellow 1986 Long-EZ.
Matt Younkin, the first second-generation recipient of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, will fly his famous twin-engine Beech 18. This act is described by producers and fans alike as one of the most beautiful and graceful displays the industry has to offer. Younkin’s latest achievement is perfecting the world’s only night aerobatic display in a Beech 18. Equipped with more than 50 externally visible lights, the top of the airplane appears to glow in the dark while the bottom side actively twinkles. Younkin continues to amaze air show goers with his unique ability to capture the crowd in the moment, much the same way his father, Bobby, and sister, Amanda, did for so many years. Matt was the 2020 Art Scholl Showmanship award recipient.
Skip Stewart describes his routine as an aerobatic symphony, with a high alpha pass on takeoff and aerobatic maneuvers that bring him as close as a foot off the ground. Skip has more than 10,000 hours of flight experience and is the recipient of the 2013 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship and the 2015 Art Scholl Award. He has been flying in air shows for more than 16 years and was the first pilot to fly an airplane underneath a jumping motorcycle at an air show.
Kyle Fowler is living out the dream of being an aerobatic pilot — a dream that he has had since the age of 12, when he would announce his own father’s aerobatic performances at air shows. He performs a thrilling routine in a homebuilt yellow 1986 Long-EZ.
Matt Younkin, the first second-generation recipient of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, will fly his famous twin-engine Beech 18. This act is described by producers and fans alike as one of the most beautiful and graceful displays the industry has to offer. Younkin’s latest achievement is perfecting the world’s only night aerobatic display in a Beech 18. Equipped with more than 50 externally visible lights, the top of the airplane appears to glow in the dark while the bottom side actively twinkles. Younkin continues to amaze air show goers with his unique ability to capture the crowd in the moment, much the same way his father, Bobby, and sister, Amanda, did for so many years. Matt was the 2020 Art Scholl Showmanship award recipient.
Skip Stewart describes his routine as an aerobatic symphony, with a high alpha pass on takeoff and aerobatic maneuvers that bring him as close as a foot off the ground. Skip has more than 10,000 hours of flight experience and is the recipient of the 2013 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship and the 2015 Art Scholl Award. He has been flying in air shows for more than 16 years and was the first pilot to fly an airplane underneath a jumping motorcycle at an air show.
Jim Peitz will probably throw a surprise at you when he takes off in a Beech Bonanza and jumps into an aerobatic routine. The specialized Bonanza is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads. Jim’s father taught him how to fly back in the 1970s, and since then Jim has logged over 20,000 hours in more than 100 aircraft types.
Until 2002, Greg flew jet aircraft for an Alabama corporation and performed airshows in his spare time. Today, Greg is a full time airshow and aerobatics professional. Greg is known throughout the USA and parts of Latin America as the foremost authority on the Super Decathlon aircraft. Besides doing an inverted ribbon cut 15 feet above the ground in airshows, Greg specializes in teaching pilots how to fly aerobatics in his Super Decathlon.
Mike Goulian doesn’t just fly an air show; he attacks it. Every roll, pull, and tumble of his flight is deliberately and precisely executed. With his aggressive approach to the air show arena, he has mastered the ability to convey his message of passion through flight. Mike soloed on his 16th birthday and won the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at 27 years old. He represented the U.S. at the World Aerobatic Championships on three separate occasions and competes as one of two U.S. pilots vying for the World Championship in the famed Red Bull Air Races. He earned first place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2009. He is one of seven people to be awarded all three of the air show industry’s most prestigious awards: The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award (2006), the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2009), and the ICAS Sword of Excellence (2012). Mike was also inducted as an honorary Blue Angel. Today, Mike’s performance is the perfect marriage between man and machine — the world’s most high-performance aerobatic airplane, the Extra 330SC.
This two-aircraft team follows in the tradition of the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Team, which dazzled audiences for 25 years until its retirement in 1995. Leland Kracher and Tom Braymer take the colorful Christen Eagle biplanes through their paces.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
Susan Dacy is one of only a few women performing airshows in a biplane. Along with Big Red, her Super Stearman, Dacy steps back in time performing a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops, and much more, in a style reminiscent of the barnstorming era of flying.
Vicky Benzing’s talents spread across the aviation spectrum; she is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, and aerobatic performer. Her appreciation for all things aviation is shown not only through her diverse talents, but also through the aircraft she performs at shows around the country. At AirVenture 2018 she flew her powerhouse aerobatic airplane, a candy-colored Extra 300S, and will be flying her vintage 1940 Boeing Stearman at AirVenture 2021, which aside from its smoke system and a 450-hp Pratt and Whitney R-985 engine, has remained as close to original as possible. Vicky began her aerobatic training in 2005 under air show legend Wayne Handley, but her aviation career extends far beyond that. She has been flying for more than 30 years and holds an ATP certificate, as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.
Jim Peitz will probably throw a surprise at you when he takes off in a Beech Bonanza and jumps into an aerobatic routine. The specialized Bonanza is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads. Jim’s father taught him how to fly back in the 1970s, and since then Jim has logged over 20,000 hours in more than 100 aircraft types.
Until 2002, Greg flew jet aircraft for an Alabama corporation and performed airshows in his spare time. Today, Greg is a full time airshow and aerobatics professional. Greg is known throughout the USA and parts of Latin America as the foremost authority on the Super Decathlon aircraft. Besides doing an inverted ribbon cut 15 feet above the ground in airshows, Greg specializes in teaching pilots how to fly aerobatics in his Super Decathlon.
Mike Goulian doesn’t just fly an air show; he attacks it. Every roll, pull, and tumble of his flight is deliberately and precisely executed. With his aggressive approach to the air show arena, he has mastered the ability to convey his message of passion through flight. Mike soloed on his 16th birthday and won the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at 27 years old. He represented the U.S. at the World Aerobatic Championships on three separate occasions and competes as one of two U.S. pilots vying for the World Championship in the famed Red Bull Air Races. He earned first place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2009. He is one of seven people to be awarded all three of the air show industry’s most prestigious awards: The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award (2006), the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2009), and the ICAS Sword of Excellence (2012). Mike was also inducted as an honorary Blue Angel. Today, Mike’s performance is the perfect marriage between man and machine — the world’s most high-performance aerobatic airplane, the Extra 330SC.
This two-aircraft team follows in the tradition of the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Team, which dazzled audiences for 25 years until its retirement in 1995. Leland Kracher and Tom Braymer take the colorful Christen Eagle biplanes through their paces.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
Susan Dacy is one of only a few women performing airshows in a biplane. Along with Big Red, her Super Stearman, Dacy steps back in time performing a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops, and much more, in a style reminiscent of the barnstorming era of flying.
Vicky Benzing’s talents spread across the aviation spectrum; she is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, and aerobatic performer. Her appreciation for all things aviation is shown not only through her diverse talents, but also through the aircraft she performs at shows around the country. At AirVenture 2018 she flew her powerhouse aerobatic airplane, a candy-colored Extra 300S, and will be flying her vintage 1940 Boeing Stearman at AirVenture 2021, which aside from its smoke system and a 450-hp Pratt and Whitney R-985 engine, has remained as close to original as possible. Vicky began her aerobatic training in 2005 under air show legend Wayne Handley, but her aviation career extends far beyond that. She has been flying for more than 30 years and holds an ATP certificate, as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.
The Titan Aerobatic Team is a familiar name in air show lineups, having performed in the industry for more than 35 years. Alan Henley founded the team after meeting Steve Gustafson at an air show in Mississippi and flew with the team until 2008, when a non aviation-related accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Now his twin brother Mark Henley, team lead; Bryan Regan, right wing; Steve Gustafson, left wing; and Jimmy Fordham, slot; perform a series of loops, rolls, and bomb bursts in close formation for a classic aerobatic routine.
Matt Younkin, the first second-generation recipient of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, will fly his famous twin-engine Beech 18. This act is described by producers and fans alike as one of the most beautiful and graceful displays the industry has to offer. Younkin’s latest achievement is perfecting the world’s only night aerobatic display in a Beech 18. Equipped with more than 50 externally visible lights, the top of the airplane appears to glow in the dark while the bottom side actively twinkles. Younkin continues to amaze air show goers with his unique ability to capture the crowd in the moment, much the same way his father, Bobby, and sister, Amanda, did for so many years. Matt was the 2020 Art Scholl Showmanship award recipient.
Bob Carlton does a stunning performance in his Super Salto jet sailplane. With its military-grade 250-pound-thrust PBS TJ-100 jet engine, the Super Salto self-launches and performs a high-speed aerobatic climb to altitude without a tow plane, followed by a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics. The Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered air show performance.
Bob is a retired rocket scientist known for creating spectacular one-off designs. He has been flying since 1979 and has experience across the board in aviation, from hang gliders to sailplanes, helicopters, and airplanes. He is always working on the next great project!
Kyle Fowler is living out the dream of being an aerobatic pilot — a dream that he has had since the age of 12, when he would announce his own father’s aerobatic performances at air shows. He performs a thrilling routine in a homebuilt yellow 1986 Long-EZ.
Nathan Hammond made his debut at Oshkosh in his Super Chipmunk during AirVenture 2018 and he has made a name for himself in the aviation community by entertaining large crowds with his skywriting skills. In 2016, Nathan named his Chipmunk GhostWriter. His routine is action-packed with loops, rolls, and vertical maneuvers. During his night performance, GhostWriter lights up the sky with 200 pounds of wing-mounted pyrotechnics.
The Titan Aerobatic Team is a familiar name in air show lineups, having performed in the industry for more than 35 years. Alan Henley founded the team after meeting Steve Gustafson at an air show in Mississippi and flew with the team until 2008, when a non aviation-related accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Now his twin brother Mark Henley, team lead; Bryan Regan, right wing; Steve Gustafson, left wing; and Jimmy Fordham, slot; perform a series of loops, rolls, and bomb bursts in close formation for a classic aerobatic routine.
Matt Younkin, the first second-generation recipient of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, will fly his famous twin-engine Beech 18. This act is described by producers and fans alike as one of the most beautiful and graceful displays the industry has to offer. Younkin’s latest achievement is perfecting the world’s only night aerobatic display in a Beech 18. Equipped with more than 50 externally visible lights, the top of the airplane appears to glow in the dark while the bottom side actively twinkles. Younkin continues to amaze air show goers with his unique ability to capture the crowd in the moment, much the same way his father, Bobby, and sister, Amanda, did for so many years. Matt was the 2020 Art Scholl Showmanship award recipient.
Bob Carlton does a stunning performance in his Super Salto jet sailplane. With its military-grade 250-pound-thrust PBS TJ-100 jet engine, the Super Salto self-launches and performs a high-speed aerobatic climb to altitude without a tow plane, followed by a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics. The Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered air show performance.
Bob is a retired rocket scientist known for creating spectacular one-off designs. He has been flying since 1979 and has experience across the board in aviation, from hang gliders to sailplanes, helicopters, and airplanes. He is always working on the next great project!
Kyle Fowler is living out the dream of being an aerobatic pilot — a dream that he has had since the age of 12, when he would announce his own father’s aerobatic performances at air shows. He performs a thrilling routine in a homebuilt yellow 1986 Long-EZ.
Nathan Hammond made his debut at Oshkosh in his Super Chipmunk during AirVenture 2018 and he has made a name for himself in the aviation community by entertaining large crowds with his skywriting skills. In 2016, Nathan named his Chipmunk GhostWriter. His routine is action-packed with loops, rolls, and vertical maneuvers. During his night performance, GhostWriter lights up the sky with 200 pounds of wing-mounted pyrotechnics.
The Gamebird GB1 is a speedy aerobatic plane designed and flown by the same person, German aircraft designer Philipp Steinbach. The airplane’s frame is capable of +/-10gs and integrates beautiful curves into its design, something atypical of most aerobatic aircraft. Philipp began his flying career in gliders when he was 14 years, and has since competed in powered aircraft in aerobatic competitions worldwide. Also check out the March edition of Sport Aviation for a closer look at the Gamebird GB1.
Paul is a multiple Australian national aerobatic champion who has flown thousands of hours at air shows “Down Under.” He now brings to Oshkosh his Wolf Pitts Pro biplane, built by the renowned Steve Wolf as one of only two in the world, the other being the Oracle Challenger III flown by Sean D. Tucker.
David Martin began performing aerobatic routines for the public at the age of 19. His lineage is full of aviation history, his grandfather having been a barnstormer in the 1930s so his success comes as no surprise. He is an eight-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic team and has won numerous World gold medals. At one point, David flew every day for five years, or 1,826 consecutive days.
David will wow the crowds this year in this light twin-engine aircraft, a truly unique and non-standard platform for aerobatics.
Kyle Franklin, son of late air show legend Jimmy Franklin, was destined for the sky the moment he was born. He began flying at age 8 in a Piper Super Cub, by age 14 he performed his first wing walk, and at 17 he was wing-walking professionally for his father. In addition to crawling out of the cockpit and dangling from airplanes, Kyle started his own piloting career performing in air shows at age 21.
RJ developed a passion for aerobatics through RC flying. He started competing in RC aerobatics at age 16 in national and international events, representing the US in indoor precision and freestyle aerobatic championships. He got his Decathlon at the end of 2015 and has since flown more than 800 hours in the airplane, flying his first airshow in 2016. Since then, he's flown hundreds of performances.
Ed is a retired USAF colonel with more than 30,000 hours of flying experience in aircraft that include the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He now flies his performance to salute the Folds of Honor organization, which provides scholarships to the families of America’s fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
The Gamebird GB1 is a speedy aerobatic plane designed and flown by the same person, German aircraft designer Philipp Steinbach. The airplane’s frame is capable of +/-10gs and integrates beautiful curves into its design, something atypical of most aerobatic aircraft. Philipp began his flying career in gliders when he was 14 years, and has since competed in powered aircraft in aerobatic competitions worldwide. Also check out the March edition of Sport Aviation for a closer look at the Gamebird GB1.
Paul is a multiple Australian national aerobatic champion who has flown thousands of hours at air shows “Down Under.” He now brings to Oshkosh his Wolf Pitts Pro biplane, built by the renowned Steve Wolf as one of only two in the world, the other being the Oracle Challenger III flown by Sean D. Tucker.
David Martin began performing aerobatic routines for the public at the age of 19. His lineage is full of aviation history, his grandfather having been a barnstormer in the 1930s so his success comes as no surprise. He is an eight-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic team and has won numerous World gold medals. At one point, David flew every day for five years, or 1,826 consecutive days.
David will wow the crowds this year in this light twin-engine aircraft, a truly unique and non-standard platform for aerobatics.
Kyle Franklin, son of late air show legend Jimmy Franklin, was destined for the sky the moment he was born. He began flying at age 8 in a Piper Super Cub, by age 14 he performed his first wing walk, and at 17 he was wing-walking professionally for his father. In addition to crawling out of the cockpit and dangling from airplanes, Kyle started his own piloting career performing in air shows at age 21.
RJ developed a passion for aerobatics through RC flying. He started competing in RC aerobatics at age 16 in national and international events, representing the US in indoor precision and freestyle aerobatic championships. He got his Decathlon at the end of 2015 and has since flown more than 800 hours in the airplane, flying his first airshow in 2016. Since then, he's flown hundreds of performances.
Ed is a retired USAF colonel with more than 30,000 hours of flying experience in aircraft that include the F-16 Fighting Falcon. He now flies his performance to salute the Folds of Honor organization, which provides scholarships to the families of America’s fallen or disabled military personnel and first responders.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
Susan Dacy is one of only a few women performing airshows in a biplane. Along with Big Red, her Super Stearman, Dacy steps back in time performing a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops, and much more, in a style reminiscent of the barnstorming era of flying.
Jim Peitz will probably throw a surprise at you when he takes off in a Beech Bonanza and jumps into an aerobatic routine. The specialized Bonanza is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads. Jim’s father taught him how to fly back in the 1970s, and since then Jim has logged over 20,000 hours in more than 100 aircraft types.
Until 2002, Greg flew jet aircraft for an Alabama corporation and performed airshows in his spare time. Today, Greg is a full time airshow and aerobatics professional. Greg is known throughout the USA and parts of Latin America as the foremost authority on the Super Decathlon aircraft. Besides doing an inverted ribbon cut 15 feet above the ground in airshows, Greg specializes in teaching pilots how to fly aerobatics in his Super Decathlon.
Vicky Benzing’s talents spread across the aviation spectrum; she is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, and aerobatic performer. Her appreciation for all things aviation is shown not only through her diverse talents, but also through the aircraft she performs at shows around the country. At AirVenture 2018 she flew her powerhouse aerobatic airplane, a candy-colored Extra 300S, and will be flying her vintage 1940 Boeing Stearman at AirVenture 2021, which aside from its smoke system and a 450-hp Pratt and Whitney R-985 engine, has remained as close to original as possible. Vicky began her aerobatic training in 2005 under air show legend Wayne Handley, but her aviation career extends far beyond that. She has been flying for more than 30 years and holds an ATP certificate, as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.
The Gamebird GB1 is a speedy aerobatic plane designed and flown by the same person, German aircraft designer Philipp Steinbach. The airplane’s frame is capable of +/-10gs and integrates beautiful curves into its design, something atypical of most aerobatic aircraft. Philipp began his flying career in gliders when he was 14 years, and has since competed in powered aircraft in aerobatic competitions worldwide. Also check out the March edition of Sport Aviation for a closer look at the Gamebird GB1.
Flight of the Cats | Hellcat/Tigercat/Bearcat/Wildcat
Mike Goulian doesn’t just fly an air show; he attacks it. Every roll, pull, and tumble of his flight is deliberately and precisely executed. With his aggressive approach to the air show arena, he has mastered the ability to convey his message of passion through flight. Mike soloed on his 16th birthday and won the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at 27 years old. He represented the U.S. at the World Aerobatic Championships on three separate occasions and competes as one of two U.S. pilots vying for the World Championship in the famed Red Bull Air Races. He earned first place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2009. He is one of seven people to be awarded all three of the air show industry’s most prestigious awards: The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award (2006), the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2009), and the ICAS Sword of Excellence (2012). Mike was also inducted as an honorary Blue Angel. Today, Mike’s performance is the perfect marriage between man and machine — the world’s most high-performance aerobatic airplane, the Extra 330SC.
David Martin began performing aerobatic routines for the public at the age of 19. His lineage is full of aviation history, his grandfather having been a barnstormer in the 1930s so his success comes as no surprise. He is an eight-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic team and has won numerous World gold medals. At one point, David flew every day for five years, or 1,826 consecutive days.
David will wow the crowds this year in this light twin-engine aircraft, a truly unique and non-standard platform for aerobatics.
Bill Stein puts on a thrilling performance in his unique Edge 540, the paint scheme of which changes color depending on lighting and viewing angle. Bill began flying aerobatics while he was still a student pilot, and has since logged more than 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. He has been part of the air show performance scene since 1995, and enjoys mentoring new air show pilots as a way to give back to the aviation community.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
Susan Dacy is one of only a few women performing airshows in a biplane. Along with Big Red, her Super Stearman, Dacy steps back in time performing a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops, and much more, in a style reminiscent of the barnstorming era of flying.
Jim Peitz will probably throw a surprise at you when he takes off in a Beech Bonanza and jumps into an aerobatic routine. The specialized Bonanza is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads. Jim’s father taught him how to fly back in the 1970s, and since then Jim has logged over 20,000 hours in more than 100 aircraft types.
Until 2002, Greg flew jet aircraft for an Alabama corporation and performed airshows in his spare time. Today, Greg is a full time airshow and aerobatics professional. Greg is known throughout the USA and parts of Latin America as the foremost authority on the Super Decathlon aircraft. Besides doing an inverted ribbon cut 15 feet above the ground in airshows, Greg specializes in teaching pilots how to fly aerobatics in his Super Decathlon.
Vicky Benzing’s talents spread across the aviation spectrum; she is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, and aerobatic performer. Her appreciation for all things aviation is shown not only through her diverse talents, but also through the aircraft she performs at shows around the country. At AirVenture 2018 she flew her powerhouse aerobatic airplane, a candy-colored Extra 300S, and will be flying her vintage 1940 Boeing Stearman at AirVenture 2021, which aside from its smoke system and a 450-hp Pratt and Whitney R-985 engine, has remained as close to original as possible. Vicky began her aerobatic training in 2005 under air show legend Wayne Handley, but her aviation career extends far beyond that. She has been flying for more than 30 years and holds an ATP certificate, as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.
The Gamebird GB1 is a speedy aerobatic plane designed and flown by the same person, German aircraft designer Philipp Steinbach. The airplane’s frame is capable of +/-10gs and integrates beautiful curves into its design, something atypical of most aerobatic aircraft. Philipp began his flying career in gliders when he was 14 years, and has since competed in powered aircraft in aerobatic competitions worldwide. Also check out the March edition of Sport Aviation for a closer look at the Gamebird GB1.
Flight of the Cats | Hellcat/Tigercat/Bearcat/Wildcat
Mike Goulian doesn’t just fly an air show; he attacks it. Every roll, pull, and tumble of his flight is deliberately and precisely executed. With his aggressive approach to the air show arena, he has mastered the ability to convey his message of passion through flight. Mike soloed on his 16th birthday and won the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at 27 years old. He represented the U.S. at the World Aerobatic Championships on three separate occasions and competes as one of two U.S. pilots vying for the World Championship in the famed Red Bull Air Races. He earned first place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2009. He is one of seven people to be awarded all three of the air show industry’s most prestigious awards: The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award (2006), the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2009), and the ICAS Sword of Excellence (2012). Mike was also inducted as an honorary Blue Angel. Today, Mike’s performance is the perfect marriage between man and machine — the world’s most high-performance aerobatic airplane, the Extra 330SC.
David Martin began performing aerobatic routines for the public at the age of 19. His lineage is full of aviation history, his grandfather having been a barnstormer in the 1930s so his success comes as no surprise. He is an eight-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic team and has won numerous World gold medals. At one point, David flew every day for five years, or 1,826 consecutive days.
David will wow the crowds this year in this light twin-engine aircraft, a truly unique and non-standard platform for aerobatics.
Bill Stein puts on a thrilling performance in his unique Edge 540, the paint scheme of which changes color depending on lighting and viewing angle. Bill began flying aerobatics while he was still a student pilot, and has since logged more than 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. He has been part of the air show performance scene since 1995, and enjoys mentoring new air show pilots as a way to give back to the aviation community.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
Paul is a multiple Australian national aerobatic champion who has flown thousands of hours at air shows “Down Under.” He now brings to Oshkosh his Wolf Pitts Pro biplane, built by the renowned Steve Wolf as one of only two in the world, the other being the Oracle Challenger III flown by Sean D. Tucker.
Mike Goulian doesn’t just fly an air show; he attacks it. Every roll, pull, and tumble of his flight is deliberately and precisely executed. With his aggressive approach to the air show arena, he has mastered the ability to convey his message of passion through flight. Mike soloed on his 16th birthday and won the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at 27 years old. He represented the U.S. at the World Aerobatic Championships on three separate occasions and competes as one of two U.S. pilots vying for the World Championship in the famed Red Bull Air Races. He earned first place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2009. He is one of seven people to be awarded all three of the air show industry’s most prestigious awards: The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award (2006), the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2009), and the ICAS Sword of Excellence (2012). Mike was also inducted as an honorary Blue Angel. Today, Mike’s performance is the perfect marriage between man and machine — the world’s most high-performance aerobatic airplane, the Extra 330SC.
Jarrod Lindemann, raised in a family deeply involved in aviation, has been spraying crops for over 23 years, while nurturing a passion for aerobatics and airshows. Witnessing his favorite performer Jimmy Franklin's modification of a Waco with a jet engine sparked his fascination. Thanks to John Klatt, Dell Coller, and their team, a similar Jet Waco was revitalized. Flying this modified Taperwing Waco with a LearJet engine enables astonishing maneuvers. Jarrod feels honored to share this Jet Waco in tribute to the late great Jimmy Franklin. Jarrod aims to infuse his own creativity into this remarkable combination, as Team RAD elevates its brand through extraordinary aircraft and performances, inspiring enthusiasts of all ages.
Susan Dacy is one of only a few women performing airshows in a biplane. Along with Big Red, her Super Stearman, Dacy steps back in time performing a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops, and much more, in a style reminiscent of the barnstorming era of flying.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
Skip Stewart describes his routine as an aerobatic symphony, with a high alpha pass on takeoff and aerobatic maneuvers that bring him as close as a foot off the ground. Skip has more than 10,000 hours of flight experience and is the recipient of the 2013 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship and the 2015 Art Scholl Award. He has been flying in air shows for more than 16 years and was the first pilot to fly an airplane underneath a jumping motorcycle at an air show.
RJ developed a passion for aerobatics through RC flying. He started competing in RC aerobatics at age 16 in national and international events, representing the US in indoor precision and freestyle aerobatic championships. He got his Decathlon at the end of 2015 and has since flown more than 800 hours in the airplane, flying his first airshow in 2016. Since then, he's flown hundreds of performances.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
Paul is a multiple Australian national aerobatic champion who has flown thousands of hours at air shows “Down Under.” He now brings to Oshkosh his Wolf Pitts Pro biplane, built by the renowned Steve Wolf as one of only two in the world, the other being the Oracle Challenger III flown by Sean D. Tucker.
Mike Goulian doesn’t just fly an air show; he attacks it. Every roll, pull, and tumble of his flight is deliberately and precisely executed. With his aggressive approach to the air show arena, he has mastered the ability to convey his message of passion through flight. Mike soloed on his 16th birthday and won the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at 27 years old. He represented the U.S. at the World Aerobatic Championships on three separate occasions and competes as one of two U.S. pilots vying for the World Championship in the famed Red Bull Air Races. He earned first place in Budapest, Hungary, in 2009. He is one of seven people to be awarded all three of the air show industry’s most prestigious awards: The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award (2006), the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2009), and the ICAS Sword of Excellence (2012). Mike was also inducted as an honorary Blue Angel. Today, Mike’s performance is the perfect marriage between man and machine — the world’s most high-performance aerobatic airplane, the Extra 330SC.
Jarrod Lindemann, raised in a family deeply involved in aviation, has been spraying crops for over 23 years, while nurturing a passion for aerobatics and airshows. Witnessing his favorite performer Jimmy Franklin's modification of a Waco with a jet engine sparked his fascination. Thanks to John Klatt, Dell Coller, and their team, a similar Jet Waco was revitalized. Flying this modified Taperwing Waco with a LearJet engine enables astonishing maneuvers. Jarrod feels honored to share this Jet Waco in tribute to the late great Jimmy Franklin. Jarrod aims to infuse his own creativity into this remarkable combination, as Team RAD elevates its brand through extraordinary aircraft and performances, inspiring enthusiasts of all ages.
Susan Dacy is one of only a few women performing airshows in a biplane. Along with Big Red, her Super Stearman, Dacy steps back in time performing a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops, and much more, in a style reminiscent of the barnstorming era of flying.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
Skip Stewart describes his routine as an aerobatic symphony, with a high alpha pass on takeoff and aerobatic maneuvers that bring him as close as a foot off the ground. Skip has more than 10,000 hours of flight experience and is the recipient of the 2013 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship and the 2015 Art Scholl Award. He has been flying in air shows for more than 16 years and was the first pilot to fly an airplane underneath a jumping motorcycle at an air show.
RJ developed a passion for aerobatics through RC flying. He started competing in RC aerobatics at age 16 in national and international events, representing the US in indoor precision and freestyle aerobatic championships. He got his Decathlon at the end of 2015 and has since flown more than 800 hours in the airplane, flying his first airshow in 2016. Since then, he's flown hundreds of performances.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
David Martin began performing aerobatic routines for the public at the age of 19. His lineage is full of aviation history, his grandfather having been a barnstormer in the 1930s so his success comes as no surprise. He is an eight-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic team and has won numerous World gold medals. At one point, David flew every day for five years, or 1,826 consecutive days.
David will wow the crowds this year in this light twin-engine aircraft, a truly unique and non-standard platform for aerobatics.
The Titan Aerobatic Team is a familiar name in air show lineups, having performed in the industry for more than 35 years. Alan Henley founded the team after meeting Steve Gustafson at an air show in Mississippi and flew with the team until 2008, when a non aviation-related accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Now his twin brother Mark Henley, team lead; Bryan Regan, right wing; Steve Gustafson, left wing; and Jimmy Fordham, slot; perform a series of loops, rolls, and bomb bursts in close formation for a classic aerobatic routine.
Bob Carlton does a stunning performance in his Super Salto jet sailplane. With its military-grade 250-pound-thrust PBS TJ-100 jet engine, the Super Salto self-launches and performs a high-speed aerobatic climb to altitude without a tow plane, followed by a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics. The Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered air show performance.
Bob is a retired rocket scientist known for creating spectacular one-off designs. He has been flying since 1979 and has experience across the board in aviation, from hang gliders to sailplanes, helicopters, and airplanes. He is always working on the next great project!
Kyle Fowler is living out the dream of being an aerobatic pilot — a dream that he has had since the age of 12, when he would announce his own father’s aerobatic performances at air shows. He performs a thrilling routine in a homebuilt yellow 1986 Long-EZ.
Matt Younkin, the first second-generation recipient of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, will fly his famous twin-engine Beech 18. This act is described by producers and fans alike as one of the most beautiful and graceful displays the industry has to offer. Younkin’s latest achievement is perfecting the world’s only night aerobatic display in a Beech 18. Equipped with more than 50 externally visible lights, the top of the airplane appears to glow in the dark while the bottom side actively twinkles. Younkin continues to amaze air show goers with his unique ability to capture the crowd in the moment, much the same way his father, Bobby, and sister, Amanda, did for so many years. Matt was the 2020 Art Scholl Showmanship award recipient.
Nathan Hammond made his debut at Oshkosh in his Super Chipmunk during AirVenture 2018 and he has made a name for himself in the aviation community by entertaining large crowds with his skywriting skills. In 2016, Nathan named his Chipmunk GhostWriter. His routine is action-packed with loops, rolls, and vertical maneuvers. During his night performance, GhostWriter lights up the sky with 200 pounds of wing-mounted pyrotechnics.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
David Martin began performing aerobatic routines for the public at the age of 19. His lineage is full of aviation history, his grandfather having been a barnstormer in the 1930s so his success comes as no surprise. He is an eight-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic team and has won numerous World gold medals. At one point, David flew every day for five years, or 1,826 consecutive days.
David will wow the crowds this year in this light twin-engine aircraft, a truly unique and non-standard platform for aerobatics.
The Titan Aerobatic Team is a familiar name in air show lineups, having performed in the industry for more than 35 years. Alan Henley founded the team after meeting Steve Gustafson at an air show in Mississippi and flew with the team until 2008, when a non aviation-related accident left him paralyzed from the chest down. Now his twin brother Mark Henley, team lead; Bryan Regan, right wing; Steve Gustafson, left wing; and Jimmy Fordham, slot; perform a series of loops, rolls, and bomb bursts in close formation for a classic aerobatic routine.
Bob Carlton does a stunning performance in his Super Salto jet sailplane. With its military-grade 250-pound-thrust PBS TJ-100 jet engine, the Super Salto self-launches and performs a high-speed aerobatic climb to altitude without a tow plane, followed by a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics. The Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered air show performance.
Bob is a retired rocket scientist known for creating spectacular one-off designs. He has been flying since 1979 and has experience across the board in aviation, from hang gliders to sailplanes, helicopters, and airplanes. He is always working on the next great project!
Kyle Fowler is living out the dream of being an aerobatic pilot — a dream that he has had since the age of 12, when he would announce his own father’s aerobatic performances at air shows. He performs a thrilling routine in a homebuilt yellow 1986 Long-EZ.
Matt Younkin, the first second-generation recipient of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, will fly his famous twin-engine Beech 18. This act is described by producers and fans alike as one of the most beautiful and graceful displays the industry has to offer. Younkin’s latest achievement is perfecting the world’s only night aerobatic display in a Beech 18. Equipped with more than 50 externally visible lights, the top of the airplane appears to glow in the dark while the bottom side actively twinkles. Younkin continues to amaze air show goers with his unique ability to capture the crowd in the moment, much the same way his father, Bobby, and sister, Amanda, did for so many years. Matt was the 2020 Art Scholl Showmanship award recipient.
Nathan Hammond made his debut at Oshkosh in his Super Chipmunk during AirVenture 2018 and he has made a name for himself in the aviation community by entertaining large crowds with his skywriting skills. In 2016, Nathan named his Chipmunk GhostWriter. His routine is action-packed with loops, rolls, and vertical maneuvers. During his night performance, GhostWriter lights up the sky with 200 pounds of wing-mounted pyrotechnics.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
Bill Stein puts on a thrilling performance in his unique Edge 540, the paint scheme of which changes color depending on lighting and viewing angle. Bill began flying aerobatics while he was still a student pilot, and has since logged more than 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. He has been part of the air show performance scene since 1995, and enjoys mentoring new air show pilots as a way to give back to the aviation community.
Vicky Benzing’s talents spread across the aviation spectrum; she is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, and aerobatic performer. Her appreciation for all things aviation is shown not only through her diverse talents, but also through the aircraft she performs at shows around the country. At AirVenture 2018 she flew her powerhouse aerobatic airplane, a candy-colored Extra 300S, and will be flying her vintage 1940 Boeing Stearman at AirVenture 2021, which aside from its smoke system and a 450-hp Pratt and Whitney R-985 engine, has remained as close to original as possible. Vicky began her aerobatic training in 2005 under air show legend Wayne Handley, but her aviation career extends far beyond that. She has been flying for more than 30 years and holds an ATP certificate, as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.
Jim Peitz will probably throw a surprise at you when he takes off in a Beech Bonanza and jumps into an aerobatic routine. The specialized Bonanza is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads. Jim’s father taught him how to fly back in the 1970s, and since then Jim has logged over 20,000 hours in more than 100 aircraft types.
Jarrod Lindemann, raised in a family deeply involved in aviation, has been spraying crops for over 23 years, while nurturing a passion for aerobatics and airshows. Witnessing his favorite performer Jimmy Franklin's modification of a Waco with a jet engine sparked his fascination. Thanks to John Klatt, Dell Coller, and their team, a similar Jet Waco was revitalized. Flying this modified Taperwing Waco with a LearJet engine enables astonishing maneuvers. Jarrod feels honored to share this Jet Waco in tribute to the late great Jimmy Franklin. Jarrod aims to infuse his own creativity into this remarkable combination, as Team RAD elevates its brand through extraordinary aircraft and performances, inspiring enthusiasts of all ages.
Kyle Franklin, son of late air show legend Jimmy Franklin, was destined for the sky the moment he was born. He began flying at age 8 in a Piper Super Cub, by age 14 he performed his first wing walk, and at 17 he was wing-walking professionally for his father. In addition to crawling out of the cockpit and dangling from airplanes, Kyle started his own piloting career performing in air shows at age 21.
Skip Stewart describes his routine as an aerobatic symphony, with a high alpha pass on takeoff and aerobatic maneuvers that bring him as close as a foot off the ground. Skip has more than 10,000 hours of flight experience and is the recipient of the 2013 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship and the 2015 Art Scholl Award. He has been flying in air shows for more than 16 years and was the first pilot to fly an airplane underneath a jumping motorcycle at an air show.
The Gamebird GB1 is a speedy aerobatic plane designed and flown by the same person, German aircraft designer Philipp Steinbach. The airplane’s frame is capable of +/-10gs and integrates beautiful curves into its design, something atypical of most aerobatic aircraft. Philipp began his flying career in gliders when he was 14 years, and has since competed in powered aircraft in aerobatic competitions worldwide. Also check out the March edition of Sport Aviation for a closer look at the Gamebird GB1.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
The Chuters are a veteran owned and operated parachute team that provides precision aerial parachute demonstrations across the globe, and they ARE the U.S. A-Team!
Bill Stein puts on a thrilling performance in his unique Edge 540, the paint scheme of which changes color depending on lighting and viewing angle. Bill began flying aerobatics while he was still a student pilot, and has since logged more than 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. He has been part of the air show performance scene since 1995, and enjoys mentoring new air show pilots as a way to give back to the aviation community.
Vicky Benzing’s talents spread across the aviation spectrum; she is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, and aerobatic performer. Her appreciation for all things aviation is shown not only through her diverse talents, but also through the aircraft she performs at shows around the country. At AirVenture 2018 she flew her powerhouse aerobatic airplane, a candy-colored Extra 300S, and will be flying her vintage 1940 Boeing Stearman at AirVenture 2021, which aside from its smoke system and a 450-hp Pratt and Whitney R-985 engine, has remained as close to original as possible. Vicky began her aerobatic training in 2005 under air show legend Wayne Handley, but her aviation career extends far beyond that. She has been flying for more than 30 years and holds an ATP certificate, as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.
Jim Peitz will probably throw a surprise at you when he takes off in a Beech Bonanza and jumps into an aerobatic routine. The specialized Bonanza is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights, and hammerheads. Jim’s father taught him how to fly back in the 1970s, and since then Jim has logged over 20,000 hours in more than 100 aircraft types.
Jarrod Lindemann, raised in a family deeply involved in aviation, has been spraying crops for over 23 years, while nurturing a passion for aerobatics and airshows. Witnessing his favorite performer Jimmy Franklin's modification of a Waco with a jet engine sparked his fascination. Thanks to John Klatt, Dell Coller, and their team, a similar Jet Waco was revitalized. Flying this modified Taperwing Waco with a LearJet engine enables astonishing maneuvers. Jarrod feels honored to share this Jet Waco in tribute to the late great Jimmy Franklin. Jarrod aims to infuse his own creativity into this remarkable combination, as Team RAD elevates its brand through extraordinary aircraft and performances, inspiring enthusiasts of all ages.
Kyle Franklin, son of late air show legend Jimmy Franklin, was destined for the sky the moment he was born. He began flying at age 8 in a Piper Super Cub, by age 14 he performed his first wing walk, and at 17 he was wing-walking professionally for his father. In addition to crawling out of the cockpit and dangling from airplanes, Kyle started his own piloting career performing in air shows at age 21.
Skip Stewart describes his routine as an aerobatic symphony, with a high alpha pass on takeoff and aerobatic maneuvers that bring him as close as a foot off the ground. Skip has more than 10,000 hours of flight experience and is the recipient of the 2013 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship and the 2015 Art Scholl Award. He has been flying in air shows for more than 16 years and was the first pilot to fly an airplane underneath a jumping motorcycle at an air show.
The Gamebird GB1 is a speedy aerobatic plane designed and flown by the same person, German aircraft designer Philipp Steinbach. The airplane’s frame is capable of +/-10gs and integrates beautiful curves into its design, something atypical of most aerobatic aircraft. Philipp began his flying career in gliders when he was 14 years, and has since competed in powered aircraft in aerobatic competitions worldwide. Also check out the March edition of Sport Aviation for a closer look at the Gamebird GB1.
Bernie Vasquez began flying at age 11 where he traded pumping gas for flying lessons which eventually led him to a solo flight on his 16th birthday. He was the director of maintenance for the Texas Flying Legends which is now rebranded to be the Dakota Territory Air Museum. Bernie is currently in charge of all the maintenance for the fleet and fly’s airshows mostly during the summer.
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