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| AT&T F-86 flown by Dale Snodgrass |
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Flying the Oceana air show is like flying home
for Dale Snodgrass since he spent most of his years in the Navy here flying F-14
Tomcats. Snodgrass was the first flight school graduate selected to fly Tomcats,
as well as the first non-fleet pilot to carrier qualify in the Tomcat. In 1986,
he earned the distinction of being selected both Fighter Pilot of the year and
the "Top Cat" of the year. This Desert Storm veteran has amassed more
than 8,000 of flight time, including 4,800 hours in the Tomcat and more than 1,200
carrier arrested landings. |
| Sean Tucker |
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Since beginning his air show career in the mid-70s,
Sean Tucker has flown more than 700 performances at more than 300 air shows, in
front of more than 60 million fans. In the upcoming season alone, Tucker and Team
Oracle will entertain nearly 10 million fans at 25 shows throughout North America.
"I like to think that I bring the fans' dreams of flying into the plane with
me; and there's nowhere I'd rather be than in the cockpit. That's why I train
so hard to keep the edge!" |
| Dan Buchanan's Flying Colors |
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When asked why he flies, Dan Buchanan's usual
smiling response is, "I have to fly... I can't walk!" This 45-year old
from Minden, Nevada is not only a unique air show performer, but a unique person
as well. Dan’s hang gliding has thrilled and inspired audiences in North
America, Australia, Thailand, Canada, and Mexico. The award-winning performer
lost his ability to walk in 1981, but didn’t allow his handicap to keep
him from the activities he loved, including flying. Don’t miss Dan’s
amazing night show on Friday night too!
http://users.ap.net/~danb/
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| Rich’s Incredible Pyro |
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Rich Gibson of "Rich’s Incredible Pyro"
is a renowned air show pyrotechnist. In other words, he’s the man who puts
a little extra "BANG" into every air show he works. Rich’s well-trained
crew creates the "fireballs" and "walls of fire" that audiences
everywhere love. He has been delighting audiences around the U.S., Canada, and
Mexico for 25 years
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| ShockWave Jet Truck |
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It may seem odd to have a jet truck at an air
show, but Kent Shockley and the triple engine jet truck—the Shockwave—are
a wildly popular mainstay at NAS Oceana. Kent and his dad Les, spent more than
4,000 hours to create this 36,000 horsepower monster. Stand it on end and the
ShockWave can pull almost three G’s in a vertical launch; nearly four times
the power to weight ratio of our F-14 Tomcat. Don’t miss the exciting race
near the end of the show between the mighty, mighty Tomcat and the super fast
Shockwave.
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| Michael Goulian |
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Since 1987, Michael Goulian has been thrilling air show fans with
the best high-performance power aerobatics the world has to offer. Molding the incredible
skill and dedication required to win two National aerobatic titles and three berths
on the United States Aerobatic Team, Michael flies his showplane with an intensity
few pilots in the world can match. His low-altitude unlimited aerobatic performance
encompasses maneuvers most of the world's pilots can only dream of. |
| Bill Reesman |
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Bill Reesman has been flying jet fighters for 40 years . . . and
it shows as he puts his bright red Russian MiG-17F, Vietnam-era, "RED BULL"
through beautiful and demanding 8-g aerobatic maneuvers at speeds approaching 600
mph, climbing at over 20,000 ft. per minute. In addition, he performs the world's
only jet-fighter, night-aerobatic, pyrotechnic act, "RED BULL METEOR",
with over 1,000 ft. of fire coming off each wing, a performance that raises emotions
to a peak! |
| Gene Soucy |
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Aviation Legend Gene Soucy, former member of the record-setting
Eagles Aerobatic Team, and member of two World Champion U.S. Aerobatic Teams, has
won more awards than any other active airshow pilot. Innovation and versatility
are Gene Soucy’s style, combining air shows and competition flying throughout
his career has earned him the nickname “Mr. Airshow”. Whether it’s
a precision, high-energy championship solo in his Extra 300S- delivering thrill
after thrill- from gyroscopic tumbling to his heart stopping Inverted Ribbon Cut;
a wing-walking act with Teresa Stokes; a spectacular night aerial pyrotechnic display
in the “Showcat” Biplane; flying jets; or record-setting formation aerobatics
with the internationally acclaimed Eagles Aerobatic Team; Gene Soucy has done it
all. |
| Eric Beard |
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Eric's 30-year love affair with aviation began at the age of 14,
when he started taking flying lessons at a crop dusting strip in Georgia, where
he would ride his bicycle to the airport, to fuel and clean the airplanes in exchange
for flying time. He is now a seasoned professional with over 10 air show seasons
and hundreds of performances to his credit. Flying the Yak 54, with its truly unlimited
performance and 360 Horse Power is a new experience this season, for the former
wing pilot of the AcroFlyers Aerobatic Team. The power of the Yak 54 can be very
demanding during the air show routine. It requires intense concentration, practice
and skill to fly with precision at low altitudes. |
| U.S. Navy Leap Frogs |
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The U.S. Navy Parachute Team is a fifteen-man team comprised entirely
of U.S. Navy SEALs -- Sea, Air, and Land commandos. Each member comes to the team
for a three-year tour from one of the two Naval Special Warfare Groups located on
the east and west coasts. On completion of the tour, members return to operational
SEAL Teams. The parachute team began in 1969 when Navy Seals and Frogmen volunteered
to perform at weekend air shows. The team was officially commissioned as the U.S.
Navy Parachute Team "Leap Frogs" in 1974 by the Chief of Naval Operations
and assigned the mission of demonstrating Navy excellence throughout the United
States. The Leap Frogs support Navy recruiting efforts and promote the Naval Special
Warfare community to the American public. |
| U.S. Army Black Daggers |
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The Black Daggers are the official U.S. Army Special Operations
Command Parachute Demonstration Team. Their mission is to perform live aerial demonstrations
in support of U.S. Army Special Operations Command community relations and recruiting.
The team is comprised entirely of volunteers from throughout the Army special operations
community. They have diverse backgrounds and various military specialties. The average
age is 33 years and the average number of free fall jumps is 560. The team represents
the professionalism and dedication of special operations forces. Although most of
the airborne forces of the world still use round parachutes, some specialized units
use the Ram Air Canopy as their primary means of infiltration. The Black Daggers
use the military variant of the Ram Air parachute, which allows a free fall parachutist
the ability to jump with more than 100 lbs. of additional equipment attached to
him. In addition to the extra weight, the jumper must also withstand high winds,
frigid temperatures and low oxygen levels, all of which require the jumper to be
highly skilled. |
| Lee Lauderback |
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Lee Lauderback of Orlando, FL began flying in 1966 at the age of
15. Shortly after graduation from college, Lee started to work for the noted professional
golfer and businessman, Arnold Palmer. For sixteen years, Lee headed up Mr. Palmer's
flight operations as chief pilot and director of flight operations. Amassing in
excess of 17,000 flight hours in all types of aircraft and helicopters, including
over 5,000 hours in Mustangs, Lee has also had a chance to fly the F-15 Eagle, F-16
Viper, and F/A-18 Hornet. Lee has over 2000 hours in sailplanes and has competed
in many soaring contests and has held several sailplane records. |
| Skytypers |
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The Skytypers Air Show Team is a squadron of six WWII airplanes
that perform at air shows throughout the United States and Canada. Although similar
to the AT-6 Texan, the SNJ was created in a Navy format. The SNJ was designed primarily
as an advanced fighter trainer and used in carrier operations with a tailhook. Today,
these aircraft have taken on a new role of writing giant messages in the sky, which
they call Skytyping. These messages are computer generated and done at 10,000 feet.
The airplanes create messages in the sky that are 8 miles long, as tall as the Empire
State Building and can be seen for 15 miles in any direction or nearly 400 square
miles. |
| F-14 Tomcat Tactical Demonstration |
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The F-14 Tactical Demonstration displays the awesome power and
agility of the F-14. The Tomcat flies a series of tightly choreographed maneuvers
designed to showcase the flexibility of its variable wingsweep and the tremendous
power of its twin afterburning turbofan engines. You’ll also witness the Tomcat’s
slow flying ability, including passes in the carrier landing configuration. The
Demo Team consists of instructor pilots, radar intercept officers and maintainers
from "The Grim Reapers" of Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101.) VF-101 is the
Navy’s only Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F-14, training aircrew and
maintenance personnel for the fleet. The squadron operates more than 20 F-14B and
D aircraft at NAS Oceana. |
| F/A-18 Hornet Tactical Demonstration |
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The Hornet is a carrier-based, single-seater, that serves two roles,
representing the trend towards multi-use aircraft that are both fighters and attack
airplanes. The Hornet joined the service in 1983. It was designed to replace the
navy's F-4 and A-7 aircraft. It is now the standard fighter in the Navy and Marine
Corps, and is also flown by the US Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration team. |
| F/A-18 Super Hornet Tactical Demonstration |
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The US Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is an all-weather strike
fighter aircraft that performs fighter escort, fleet air defense, force projection,
interdiction, and close air support. An upgrade of the F/A-18C/D Hornet, the Super
Hornet is 25 percent larger and offers longer range, greater endurance, increased
weapon- and fuel-carrying ability along with improved survivability and the capacity
for future growth. This will mark the first-ever performance of the Super Hornet
Tactical Demonstration at NAS Oceana. |
| Canadian CF-18 Tactical Demonstration |
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This year, the Canadian Air Force celebrates its’ 80th Anniversary.
In its’ 80 years of existence, the Canadian Air Force has repeatedly exceeded
expectations and met every challenge presented to it. This is reflected in the motto
of the Canadian Air Force, “Per Ardua Ad Astra” (Through Adversity to
the Stars). This special occasion offers Canadians an opportunity to celebrate and
pay tribute to all the men and women who have, and continue to proudly wear the
Air Force uniform. It is an opportunity to reflect upon the heroic war and peacetime
sacrifices of those who have paid the ultimate price and it allows us to honor the
traditions and heritage of the Canadian Air Force. |
| F-15 Eagle Tactical Demonstration |
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The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical
fighter designed to permit the Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in
aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority is achieved through a mixture of unprecedented
maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate
enemy defense and outperform and outfight any current enemy aircraft. The F-15 has
electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft
while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. The weapons and flight
control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air
combat. |
| A-10 Thunderbolt Tactical Demonstration |
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The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially
designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and
survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets,
including tanks and other armored vehicles. The Thunderbolt II has excellent maneuverability
at low air speeds and altitude, and is a highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms
It can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot
ceilings with 1.5-mile visibility. The wide combat radius and short takeoff and
landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. |
| E-2C Hawkeye Demonstration |
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The E-2C Hawkeye is the U.S. Navy's all-weather, carrier-based
tactical airborne warning and control system platform. It provides all-weather airborne
early warning and command and control functions for the carrier battle group. Additional
missions include surface surveillance coordination, strike and interceptor control,
search and rescue guidance and communications relay. An integral component of the
carrier air wing, the E-2C carries three primary sensors: radar, IFF, and a passive
detection system. These sensors are integrated through a general-purpose computer
that enables the E-2C to provide early warning, threat analyses, and control of
counter action against air and surface targets. The E-2C incorporates the latest
solid-state electronics. |
| T-6 Texan II Tactical Demonstration |
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The T-6A Texan II is a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer
designed to train Joint Primary Pilot Training, or JPPT, students in basic flying
skills common to U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots. Stepped-tandem seating in the single
cockpit places one crewmember in front of the other, with the student and instructor
positions being interchangeable. A pilot may also fly the aircraft alone from the
front seat. The T-6A has a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turbo-prop engine
that delivers 1,100 horsepower. Because of its excellent thrust-to-weight ratio,
the aircraft can perform an initial climb of 3,100 feet per minute and can reach
18,000 feet in less than six minutes. The aircraft is fully aerobatic and features
a pressurized cockpit with an anti-G system, ejection seat and an advanced avionics
package with sunlight-readable liquid crystal displays. |
| U.S. Navy Legacy Flight |
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The U.S. Navy Legacy Flight flew its debut at the 1998 NAS Oceana
Air Show to celebrate the show's 40th Anniversary. The Flight evolved from the original
"Flight of the Grumman Cats" started nearly a decade earlier at the Kalamazoo
Aviation Museum. The Hellcat and Corsair were once the backbone of fighter aviation
at NAS Oceana in the late forties and early fifties. This year, the show will unite
the vintage classics of the past with today's modern fighters: the F-14 Tomcat and
F/A-18 Hornet. This year’s Legacy Flight will consist of the Corsair, the
F-14 and F/A-18. |
| U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight |
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The USAF Heritage Flight program was established in 1997 in support
of the
Air Force's 50th anniversary. It involves today's state-of-the-art fighters flying
in close formation with World War II and Korean War vintage fighters such as the
P-51 Mustang and the F-86 Sabre. Its mission is to safely and proudly display the
evolution of United States Air Force Airpower and to support the Air Force's recruiting
and retention efforts. Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force General John
Jumper: "The Heritage Flight represents the power and strength of America -
past and present - to all seeking solace in a world of fear and uncertainty." |
| Announcer Frank Kingston Smith |
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Frank Kingston Smith began announcing air shows
in 1977, which was a natural extension of both being a pilot, and being a radio
and television personality. Frank earned his BA in journalism from Penn State
in 1965 and began a 29-year long careerin radio broadcasting which took him to
Rhode Island, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston. In the early 1970s he became
a sought after voice-over artist and on-camera spokesperson in national and regional
commercials. |
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