USAF F-35A Demo Team
The F-35A Lightning II is the U.S. Air Force’s newest fifth-generation fighter. The Lightning II is a stealthy, multirole, all-weather air-to-air and surface attack fighter. It is designed to enable direct attack against the most heavily defended ground targets. With its aerodynamic performance and advanced integrated avionics, the F-35A will provide next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability for the United States and allied nations.
MiG 17F - Randy W. Ball
Made famous by the Vietnam War, the MiG-17F was the primary enemy aircraft engaged in the skies over Vietnam by U.S. aircraft, such as the A-4,A-7, F-8, B-52, F-100, F-105 and its primary nemesis, the F-4 Phantom II.
During that war and up until the F-16 entered service, it was the tightest-turning fighter in the world. When production started in the 1950s, its VK-1F engine made it one of the first production jet fighters in the world with an afterburner. The MiG-17F could carry bombs, rockets, or extra fuel tanks under its wings.
In its lower nose, it carried some of the largest guns ever used for air-to-air combat — two 23mm cannons and one 37mm cannon. The MiG-17F #1611 entered service with the Soviet bloc in March 1960 and wasn’t withdrawn from service until May 1990.
Randy Ball’s MiG-17F spent almost four years in restoration, and is one of only a handful of vintage jets flying the North American air show circuit. It has an authentic paint job and is the only MiG available for ground display with fully restored guns. Randy’s MIG has been seen by millions of air show fans across North America and has been featured in numerous publications, appearing on t-shirts, newspapers, posters, and more. It has been filmed on several occasions including performing as the enemy aircraft with the USAF’s F-4 Phantom* for the Discovery Channel and History Channel.
Trojan Thunder
Always a crowd pleasing, picture perfect performance, hear, feel and see the Trojan Thunder!
Long before they can be seen, the thundering roar of T-28 radial engines announce the arrival of Trojan Thunder! Trojan Thunder brings pride in country and patriotism to every air show and event as the team of T-28 Trojans fly overhead with a backdrop of noise from the nine-cylinder Curtiss-Wright engines. Trojan Thunder pilots expertly fly in aerial formations and perform aerobatic maneuvers with military precision amidst rolling clouds of smoke!
U.S. Navy T-45 Goshawk
The U.S. Navy T-45A Goshawk is a two-seat aircraft used to train Navy and Marine Corps pilots for jet carrier and tactical strike missions. The T-45 is a modified version of the Hawk advanced jet trainer used by the Royal Air Force and flown by the Red Arrows aerobatic display team. Landing gear modifications, a strengthened airframe and undercarriage for catapult launches, and the addition of a tailhook were all incorporated into the design so it could operate from an aircraft carrier.
U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team
Millions of people throughout the world see the Golden Knights each year, at more than 70 demonstration sites across the nation and abroad. These Army ambassadors perform precision free-fall demonstrations to connect the Army with people in towns who rarely, if ever, see a soldier. These men and women, of the Black and Gold Demonstration Teams, tell their Army story to all they meet to increase the propensity to join the all-volunteer force. Preparation for the demonstration itself begins hours prior to the performance.
The aviation detachment (Team Six) prepares the aircraft for takeoff, smoke is rigged, flags packed, weather checked and media briefs are given to the media riders by the designated safety demonstrator. The C147A Dash 8 takes off 30-40 minutes prior to time on target. The flight pattern is established, black and gold wind drift indicators are dropped and they climb to altitude.
The full show consists of four separate maneuvers, which demonstrate the maneuverability of the human body while falling at speeds in excess of 120 mph, which can be altered due to weather or other concerns, once again displaying the amazing talent and flexibility of the team. The baton pass entails two jumpers exiting the aircraft separately and flying together to exchange a 14-inch mahogany baton. The cutaway maneuver is designed to show what would occur if the jumper’s parachute was to malfunction. The diamond track demonstrates the incredible amount of lateral movement a jumper can obtain in free fall. The diamond formation has four jumpers exiting the aircraft and maneuvering their bodies closer together until they are mere inches apart, forming a diamond shape in the sky.
Bill Stein Airshows
Bill Stein has logged more than 7,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. Bill began flying aerobatics when he was still a student pilot and has been dedicated to perfecting his skills ever since. Since 1995 Bill has performed at air shows across the United States and has entertained millions of air show fans.
Bill’s passion for precision flying is evident in his dazzling air show routine. He trains every day so that his skills stay razor sharp, and to maintain the all-out energy and excitement he puts into his air show sequence.
Bill’s experience includes competitive aerobatics and years of flying on the world-famous Red Baron Stearman Squadron.
Susan Dacy 'Big Red'
Susan is one of only a few females performing airshows in a biplane, and is the only woman flying exhibition in the Super Stearman.
Attending airshows as a child, Susan remembers being in awe of the big, loud, smoky biplanes. As a teenager, yearning to fly, Susan felt the only way to fly a Stearman was to have one of her own. At the family airport, located in Harvard, Illinois, Susan worked in the office, fueled planes and eventually acquired a rebuildable Stearman Project. While in high school, every spare hour was spent restoring the aircraft, which she still owns and operates today.
Step back in time as Susan Dacy puts her 450 horsepower, Super Stearman, ‘Big Red’ through its paces with a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops and much more, in a style reminiscent of the barnstorming era of flying.
Rob Holland
Rob Holland is one of the most decorated, respected and innovative aerobatic pilots and airshow performers in the world today. Flying the MXS-RH, an all carbon fiber, competition–ready, single-seat aerobatic airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft, Rob Holland brings an unrivaled performance to airshows across North America, thrilling millions of spectators with his dynamic and breathtaking display.
Record-setting winner of eight consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, four-time world Freestyle Aerobatic Championships and the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) prestigious Art Scholl Award for Showmanship, the highest honor any airshow pilot can receive, Rob has distinguished himself by blazing a trail of innovation, developing maneuvers never before seen at an airshow.
In 2023, Rob will be celebrating 22 years in the airshow industry, bringing his passion for aviation to audiences at airshows across North America, hoping to inspire people to pursue their dreams with the same focus and dedication that has propelled Rob to the very top of the airshow world.
Warbird Thunder
Warbird Thunder Airshows provides a 12-minute airshow performance featuring the North American SNJ Texan, a former WWII Navy Advanced Training Aircraft. Two SNJs performing beautiful formation aerobatics offer a great spectator experience due to the aircraft’s large physical size, beautiful radial engine sound and fantastic smoke presentation.
The SNJ was nicknamed “Ol Growler” because of its distinct deep and throaty roar – nothing else sounds like it.
Warbird Thunder’s formation aerobatic routine is fast paced and entertaining. The two aircraft perform formation loops, aileron rolls, barrel rolls, and Cuban Eights but also separate bringing more excitement with opposing aerobatics before rejoining for the final maneuvers.
Ed Hamill - Folds of Honor Biplane
Ed performs in the Folds of Honor Biplane, raising awareness and funds for the charity’s mission to provide educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the US Armed Forces.
Kevin Coleman
Kevin Coleman began airplane and aerobatic flight lessons at the age of 10 in his family’s Decathlon aircraft from aerobatic Hall of Fame Legend Marion Cole. He soloed at age 16 and earned his pilot’s license at age 17 flying his first air show performance at age 18. He was the first American to fly in the Challenger Class of the Red Bull Air Race and earned a spot on the prestigious U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team.
Crowds will be thrilled as they see this amazing performer in action rolling his Extra 300 aircraft at 400 degrees per second and performing daring maneuvers at +/- 10 G’s. You won’t want to miss this sensation in action.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
View the sponsorship packet here or contact Kristin Taylor at (219) 301-7752 or ktaylor@southshorecva.com.