Performers

Find out which acts have been announced so far to perform at the Gary Air Show!

US Army Golden Knights

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.

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Ed Hamill - Folds of Honor Biplane

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. 

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AceMaker – T-33

AceMaker T-33

The AceMaker T-33 showcases the maximum performance and graceful beauty of the Shooting Star, America's first operational jet fighter and trainer! Watch as the pilot performs a vertical roll, inverted pass, max performance horizontal 8 turn, loops, double aileron rolls and more!

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Bill Stein - Gary Air Show

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.

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Kevin Coleman Air Shows

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.

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Bob Richards Machaira Muscle Biplane

Bob Richards and 'Machaira' - Muscle Biplane

Come see a unique, high-energy performance of "Machaira', named after the Greek word meaning two-edged sword!

Pilot Bob Richards grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, watching airshows and flying remote-controlled models. He is a graduate of the Purdue University Flight Program, where he received his first aerobatic training in a DeHavilland Chipmunk in 1992.

Bob flew a stock 180 hp Pitts S1S in airshows for 10 seasons, accumulating thousands of hours in that aircraft, before purchasing and performing in his custom-built single-place Pitts with more power, different wings and a three-bladed propeller. Bob's desire for more power was realized when he acquired 'Machaira', a custom-built aircraft, producing 325 hp, previously owned by expert designer, builder and airshow performer Doug Dodge.

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MiG 17F Gary Air Show

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.

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Warbird Thunder

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.

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Trojan Phlyers T-28

Trojan Phlyers T-28s

The Trojan Phlyers is a group of aviation professionals dedicated to preserving the history of the North American Aviation Company's T28 Trojan, used by the US Navy as primary flight trainers.

The pilots of the two T-28B Trojan aircraft perform formation and solo aerobatics. The fully aerobatic T-28Bs can take off in less than 800 feet of runway, climb to 10,000 feet in less than 90 seconds, race level above 335 MPH, and dive faster than 380 MPH. 

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Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

 

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Contact Kristin Taylor at (219) 301-7752 or ktaylor@southshorecva.com.