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ISSUE 451- October 2016
Over 9,000 Total Ads Listed
1,000+ NEW Ads Per Week |
| EAA AirVenture 2016 - Aerobatic Performers - Part II |
By Kevin Moore, Contributing
Editor & Photographer
Watford, Ontario, Canada |
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We return to Oshkosh to have a look at more of the aerobatic performers
that graced the skies over Whittman such as the Geico Skytypers. |
| This week we return to EAA AirVenture 2016 to look at more of the aerobatic performers that graced the sky over Whittman Regional Airport such as Bill Stein, Jim Peitz, David Martin and the Canadian Forces, RCAF Snowbirds. |
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Bill Stein flies a series of aerobatics that you won't
be able to take your eyes away from in his colourful Edge 540. |
| With over 5000 hours of aerobatic and formation flying under his belt, Bill Stein flies a fabulously dazzling and enjoyable precision airshow performance in his uniquely painted Edge 540. As part of his routine, Bill trains and practices every day in order to keep his skills sharp and to ensure every performance is exciting and safe. He also spent many years flying with the Red Baron Stearman Squadron and flying competitive aerobatics and mentors up and coming airshow pilots, coaching the "Stars of Tomorrow." Bill is a Commercial pilot holding both multi and single-engine instrument ratings and has performed in airshows flying a Pitts Special, Globe Swift, Boeing Stearman as well as his aeroplane of choice today, the Zivko Edge 540. |
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Dave Martin flew the slowest and most graceful aerobatic display on the day in his
Bucker Jungmeister, including some up-side-down, hands free flying! |
| Taking a step back from high intensity, high speed aerobatics, David Martin flies a graceful aerobatic performance in his lovely 1971 Bucker Jungmeister biplane. The Jungmeister (Bü 133) was considered an advanced trainer aircraft of the German Luftwaffe in the mid 1930s having been developed from the Bü 131 Jungmann, a 2-seat trainer. It first appeared publicly during the 1936 International Aerobatic Championship in Rangsdorf, Germany and flew competitively in the 1960s. David's aerobatic display includes many assorted aerobatic manoeuvres and includes, what is probably his signature manoeuvre, his up-side-down, hands-free pass. David first started flying at the age of 12 in his families 1959 Bonanza K. He learned aerobatics while obtaining his pilot's license as part of his basic training, eventually earning his license and his commercial rating. He has experience flying corporate jets as well as flying F-4s and F-16s with the Texas Air National Guard. He also flew with the US Aerobatic Team and has attended 5 World Aerobatic Championships winning a gold medal and 3 team bronze medals and has also won the US National Aerobatic Championship. |
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The Jack Link's unique radial, jet engine Waco Taperwing, the Screamin' Sasquatch,
rips up the sky with a mixture of throaty and screamin' sounds! |
| Probably the most unique aerobatic display was that of the John Klatt Airshows, Jack Link's "Screamin' Sasquatch" Jet Waco flown by Jeff Boerboon. The Screamin' Sasquatch is a highly modified 1929 Waco Taperwing with specially designed control surfaces, formerly wood aircraft structures modified to carbon fibre, the cockpit was moved 3 feet aft in order to accommodate the need of 2 fuel tanks, one for 100LL and the other for Jet A fuel, and the most obvious change being the addition of the General Electric (J85) jet engine, slung underneath the fuselage. The addition of the jet engine allows the aeroplane to do things an early biplane should never be able to do including having a 1:1 thrust ratio, allowing the aircraft to accelerate, going straight up. Flown at EAA AirVenture by Jeff Boerboon, a very successful aerobatic pilot with great showmanship. Boerboon is a two-time National Champion and a former member of the US Advanced Aerobatic Team and is a US Unlimited Aerobatic Champion. Jeff puts the Taperwing through a stunning and rigorous display that wows the crowd throughout his performance. If you've never seen a 1930s era biplane rocket through the skies, switching between powerful radial to screaming jet engine, visiting an airshow with the Screamin' Sasquatch is highly recommended! |
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| Jim Peitz uses an unusual aircraft for his aerobatic performance, a Beech Bonanza. |
| Another somewhat unusual aerobatic performance was that done by Jim Peitz flying his 1986 Beechcraft Bonanza 33. Jim learned to fly on a Piper Cub in the mid 1970s and has amassed over 8000 flying hours, flying some 90+ different aircraft. He taught himself to fly aerobatics by purchasing a Christen Eagle in 1992 and learning aerobatics by reading from a book. He also holds commercial, instrument and multi-engine ratings and is a certified aerobatic pilot. His aircraft, the Beech Bonanza, is flown to its limit in a dazzling, low level display. Though the Bonanza wasn't designed to perform aerobatics, Jim puts the aircraft through its paces and enjoys performing for any airshow crowd. |
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| Michael Goulian flies an extreme show in his Extra 330S. |
| Of course, not to be outdone by any performer, is Michael Goulian flying his Extra 330SC, considered the world's premiere aerobatic and airshow aircraft. This light, fast and highly maneuoverable aircraft is thrown around the sky by Mike in a fantastic, high intensity display. Goulian flies a precision airshow, tumbling his aircraft in ways an aeroplane just shouldn't be flown. Mike won the US Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at just 27 years of age and has represented the US at three World Aerobatic Championships. He constantly pushes the limits of both himself, and his aircraft, and has won the Art Scholl Memorial, the Showmanship Award and the Bill Barber Award and the ICAS Sword of Excellence and continues to redefine what can be done in the air and in an aeroplane! |
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The Geico Skytypers do more than write messages in the sky,
they also perform formation aerobatics. |
| One of the largest aerobatic formations was that of the Geico Skytypers flying their six North American SNJ-2, the US Navy version of the T-6 Texan. The team flew a graceful display in a very cloudy and dreary sky however, despite the less than stellar weather, they put on a beautiful display. The team flies the SNJ-2 which has been outfitted with a large, 180 gallon fuel tank which gives the aircraft a 4+ hour flight duration (non-aerobatic flying). The SNJ-2 also has a larger rudder, free-castering wheel and has an 8" decrease in fuselage length. The Skytypers, as their name suggests, also create messages in the sky by flying a line-abreast formation with the lead aircraft utilising a program that has been specially designed, operating from a tablet. The messages are created using a paraffin-based mixture that is released into the manifold, with the addition of compressed steam, which is then released through the engine exhaust. Once that solution and the cold air mix at their 10,000' flight level, their "dot-matrix" clouds appear, creating their message high in the sky. Between their aerobatic airshow performances and their skytyping, the Geico Skytypers are a joy to watch. |
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| The stunning new addition to aerobatics in North America, the Game Composites GB1 GameBird, left, flown by Phillip Steinbach. Matt Chapman puts his little Extra 300SL through its paces, right. |
| A new aircraft in the aerobatic performers market is the European designed Game Composites GB I GameBird, flown at AirVenture by Phillip Steinbach. This fabulous, speedy and very agile little aircraft has exceptional performance and will end up being a hit in the aerobatic performance market. Steinback really put the aircraft through its paces and showed what it can do in the hands of an experienced pilot. Not to be outdone, Matt Chapman put his brightly painted Extra 300SL through a rigorous show. Matt flew with the US Unlimited Men's Aerobatic Team in 1996 & 1998 and also finished third in the world at the 1998 World Aerobatic Championships, and also garnered the silver medal in the Men's Team and earned the Hilliard Trophy as the highest finishing US pilot. He's been flying aerobatics since 1984 and is a great ambassador for the sport. |
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| The Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds returned to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for the first time in more than 30 years and put on a great display. |
| Rounding out aerobatic displays was the return of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Air Force aerobatic display team, the Snowbirds. Flying aerobatic displays for the Canadian military for almost 50 years, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are top ambassadors for the RCAF and are sought after for airshows across Canada and the United States, flying their aging but agile Canadian built, Canadair CT-114 Tutor aircraft. The Tutor was built for use as a 2-seat, side-by-side training aircraft for the RCAF, having first flown in 1960. They were built by Canadair from 1963 to 1966 with 212 of the type having been built. They served the RCAF as their primary training aircraft for over 30 years. Ten Tutors were modified in 1967 for use as formation aerobatic aircraft flying as the Golden Centennaires celebrating Canada's centennial year. Though the team was disbanded at the end of 1967, a formation team was formed at CFB Moose Jaw in 1971 and was given the name "Snowbirds" in 1972, gaining official squadron status in 1978 as 431 Demonstration Squadron. The Snowbirds fly both airshow performances, fly-pasts and non-aerobatic display from May to October. The members of the Snowbirds are considered among the best in the world and it shows in every performance. The team is expected to continue flying their 50+ year old Tutor aircraft until roughly 2020 when the Tutors are expected to finally be retired. |
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| From aerobatic jet teams such as the RCAF Snowbirds, left, to single aircraft aerobatic performers such as Dave Martin in his Jungmeister, right, there's an aerobatic performance you can enjoy at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. |
| EAA AirVenture is truly a great event at which to see aerobatic performers, whether the RCAF Snowbirds, world renowned aerobatic performers or up-and-coming aerobatic display pilots. If you have the opportunity to attend the full week of airshows, you'll also have the opportunity to see many more performers, sometimes 2 or 3 times during the week long event. Make plans to attend the 2017 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for your fill of aerobatics! |
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| The Screamin' Sasquatch Waco Taperwing just after touching down. |
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The Geico SkyTypers put on a great show whether
performing aerobatics or doing sky writing. |
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| Showing off the topside of his aeroplane, Bill Stein doing some crowd pleasing. |
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| Jim Peitz puts the Beech Bonanza through a graceful display. |
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| Dave Martin flies such a lovely, graceful airshow in his Bucker Jungmeister. |
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| Michael Goulian coming out of the bottom side of a loop. |
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| The unique lines of the GameBird are very visible here. |
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| You can't miss Matt Chapman in his bright yellow & blue Extra 300SL! |
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| The RCAF Snowbirds put on a great display over the 20 minute performance! |
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| Dave Martin loves to fly up-side-down and he does it with no hands! |
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| Bill Stein lands after his performance. |
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| The Jack Link's Screamin' Sasquatch comes by for another pass, showing off the jet engine slung under the fuselage. |
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| One of the solos coming through the Geico Skytypers formation. |
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| Two great aerobatic teams, the Geico Skytypers, left, and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, right. |
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| Another look at the 1929 Waco Taperwing, Screamin' Sasquatch. |
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| Look ma, no hands! Flying inverted in the Bucker Jungmeister. |
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Coming around with full smoke and jet engine screaming,
the Jack Link's Screamin' Sasquatch. |
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