SOUTHERN WISCONSIN AIRFEST – JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN - MAY 28, 29, 30, 2010
“THE VERY BEST IN THE UPPER MIDWEST”
It would be difficult for anyone to dispute that, considering the spectacular line-up of planes, performers, and acts that were presented in PERFECT air show weather. After more than 100 air shows in a lifetime, this writer submits this show was my very best ever.
Could it be that two jet teams, USAF Thunderbirds and the Canadian Snowbirds made this event unique? It is very rare for those two teams to be on the program of a civilian show in a small town.
Could it be the two female performers, Susan Dacy in her 450 HP Stearman and Melissa Pemberton in her Edge 540? Could it be Skip Stewart in his highly modified Pitts flying his aggressive style of aerobatics? Could it be F-18’s and F-16’s giving Breath taking demos? Could it be Shockwave? Could it be the Pyro? Could it be the Golden Knight’s Black Team jumping from 13,000 feet to the delight of kids and adults?
How does one begin to tell of his delight at viewing a show like this one? Easy! And it is much more than the show alone. It is the whole experience, the “feeling” an air show fan gets at a show like this one. It’s a “rush” difficult to put into words. How does a show like this one come together? What are the air show “ingredients” for success?
First, there are the competent and dedicated people behind the scenes. Tom Morgan is founder and director. Tom is assisted by the very capable and hard working Geri Conway, her second show at AirFEST. There have been nine. Geri told us, “We have worked 20 hours some days as the show date grew closer.”
Air boss David Schultz was a major factor. David told us, “Producing a show with two jet teams is a huge challenge, in physical terms as well as the paperwork.” “My staff is especially skilled at managing this sort of show.” Announcer Howdy McCann was also a major factor. I personally feel the announcer is as important as the performers. Howdy did a masterful job of describing and narrating every exciting and thrilling act.
There is Brent Fox. Brent is co-owner of ABC Supply of Beloit, Wisconsin and is also the title sponsor. Brent gives support not from behind a desk, but from the air show grounds, even assisting with parking, security, and hospitality. The party for performers hosted by ABC Supply was said to be beyond first-class.
Airport manager Ron Burdick is very visible around the show. Until show time when the air boss takes over, the airport is Ron’s responsibility. Security and flight operations are intense issues for five days and Ron has his capable hands on it all.
We were there on practice day, Friday May 29. Some special guests were on hand, such as kids from Make-A-Wish Foundation and a small local group of World War II aviators called Warbirds.
Friday night attracted 5000 fans to the night show called Take-Off Party. And a good deal it was at $20.00 for a carload.
I was privileged to attend the pilot briefing at 9:00 A.M. Saturday morning. It was in a large room with spacious seating and two huge screens for showing vital information to be used by performers. David Schultz conducted the most professional briefing this writer has ever attended. In great detail he thoroughly covered radio frequencies, weather, FAA waivers, emergency procedures, even naming alternate airfields for landings if necessary. This area has an abundance of red hawks, so bird strikes during air shows here are possible, though rare.
The runways at Southern Wisconsin Regional are 4-22 and 14-32. The show played on 4-22 and a large yellow school bus served to mark show center for the airborne performers. With jet fighters among the acts, Schultz “owned” the airport to 15,000 feet.
As the briefing ended, we were privileged to get 30 minutes with Lt. Col. Derek Routt of the Thunderbirds. Col. Routt is from Buffalo, NY and flies Thunderbird No. 7. By plan, he is the only Thunderbird who attends the briefings. We were very impressed by one of his comments, “Flying is not a science, it is an art.” He is quick to say, “We are the best in the world.”
He explained that he would depart the briefing and debrief with the “boss,” Lt. Col Case Cunningham, Thunderbird No.1. By Air Force mandate, Thunderbird #1 and #7 carry the same rank. The Thunderbirds are the final act in the show and their debriefing goes on until 2000 hours (8:00 P.M.) even if everything goes perfectly well in their performance.
Col. Routt told us about the exchange which took place a few years ago when the Blue Angels flew Thunderbird aircraft, and vice versa. A 4-star General of the Air Force approved that rare event.
We also spoke briefly with Kent Shockley who was on hand to drive the very well known and popular jet truck. There will be more on that later.
As our interviews in the briefing room ended and we made our way to our viewing area, 22,000 fans were streaming through the gates in preparation for the biggest and best air show ever staged at this facility.
Announcer Howdy McCann was fantastic with his narrative. After 20 minutes given to radio controlled aircraft, opening ceremonies were under way. Golden Knight Sgt. Ty Wheeler of Virginia, with the American Flag, circled by Melissa Pemberton in her beautiful Blue Edge 540 Mono Plane.
National Anthems for both USA and Canada were played and the jumpers carried the Canadian Flag, too. What a most fitting program for Memorial Day.
Perhaps not in the order they flew, the acts provided thrill after thrill. The F-16 from the Viper West Team, the F-18 Super Hornet flown by Lt. Michael (Clyde) Lofgren from Lemoore Naval Air Station in California, Susan Dacy in her 450 HP Stearman called “Big Red”, and solo sequences flown by Skip and Melissa! Skip does a daring knife edge ribbon cut and fans Brian Walker and Doug Treat were among those holding the poles.
Many fans expressed after the show that the favorite act was “Tinstix”. In this 18 minute sequence Skip, Melissa, and Shockwave were mixing it up, so to speak, in a routine with fast and aggressive aerobatics, lots of smoke and noise, and spectacular pyro provided by Rich’s “Incredible Pyro” of nearby Rockford, IL.
At 1530 hours the Thunderbirds launched and absolutely flew an awesome show for about 30 exciting minutes. They are in their 57th season, now in those beautiful red, white, and blue F-16’s.
Following the show, this writer had the very special privilege to fly with the Golden Knights. Six media persons were chosen to go with the 10 jumpers, 8 guys and 2 ladies. The narrator for the “mission” was Sgt. Rachel Medley, who was the first jumper to leave the aircraft once above the target.
What a day! It all came to a close at 1930 hours. And back to home after 11 hours at the show. Surely you can now understand why, for this writer, the event was the “very best in the upper Midwest.”
Story by Wayne Gauldin – gwg1650@aol.com
It would be difficult for anyone to dispute that, considering the spectacular line-up of planes, performers, and acts that were presented in PERFECT air show weather. After more than 100 air shows in a lifetime, this writer submits this show was my very best ever.
Could it be that two jet teams, USAF Thunderbirds and the Canadian Snowbirds made this event unique? It is very rare for those two teams to be on the program of a civilian show in a small town.
Could it be the two female performers, Susan Dacy in her 450 HP Stearman and Melissa Pemberton in her Edge 540? Could it be Skip Stewart in his highly modified Pitts flying his aggressive style of aerobatics? Could it be F-18’s and F-16’s giving Breath taking demos? Could it be Shockwave? Could it be the Pyro? Could it be the Golden Knight’s Black Team jumping from 13,000 feet to the delight of kids and adults?
How does one begin to tell of his delight at viewing a show like this one? Easy! And it is much more than the show alone. It is the whole experience, the “feeling” an air show fan gets at a show like this one. It’s a “rush” difficult to put into words. How does a show like this one come together? What are the air show “ingredients” for success?
First, there are the competent and dedicated people behind the scenes. Tom Morgan is founder and director. Tom is assisted by the very capable and hard working Geri Conway, her second show at AirFEST. There have been nine. Geri told us, “We have worked 20 hours some days as the show date grew closer.”
Air boss David Schultz was a major factor. David told us, “Producing a show with two jet teams is a huge challenge, in physical terms as well as the paperwork.” “My staff is especially skilled at managing this sort of show.” Announcer Howdy McCann was also a major factor. I personally feel the announcer is as important as the performers. Howdy did a masterful job of describing and narrating every exciting and thrilling act.
There is Brent Fox. Brent is co-owner of ABC Supply of Beloit, Wisconsin and is also the title sponsor. Brent gives support not from behind a desk, but from the air show grounds, even assisting with parking, security, and hospitality. The party for performers hosted by ABC Supply was said to be beyond first-class.
Airport manager Ron Burdick is very visible around the show. Until show time when the air boss takes over, the airport is Ron’s responsibility. Security and flight operations are intense issues for five days and Ron has his capable hands on it all.
We were there on practice day, Friday May 29. Some special guests were on hand, such as kids from Make-A-Wish Foundation and a small local group of World War II aviators called Warbirds.
Friday night attracted 5000 fans to the night show called Take-Off Party. And a good deal it was at $20.00 for a carload.
I was privileged to attend the pilot briefing at 9:00 A.M. Saturday morning. It was in a large room with spacious seating and two huge screens for showing vital information to be used by performers. David Schultz conducted the most professional briefing this writer has ever attended. In great detail he thoroughly covered radio frequencies, weather, FAA waivers, emergency procedures, even naming alternate airfields for landings if necessary. This area has an abundance of red hawks, so bird strikes during air shows here are possible, though rare.
The runways at Southern Wisconsin Regional are 4-22 and 14-32. The show played on 4-22 and a large yellow school bus served to mark show center for the airborne performers. With jet fighters among the acts, Schultz “owned” the airport to 15,000 feet.
As the briefing ended, we were privileged to get 30 minutes with Lt. Col. Derek Routt of the Thunderbirds. Col. Routt is from Buffalo, NY and flies Thunderbird No. 7. By plan, he is the only Thunderbird who attends the briefings. We were very impressed by one of his comments, “Flying is not a science, it is an art.” He is quick to say, “We are the best in the world.”
He explained that he would depart the briefing and debrief with the “boss,” Lt. Col Case Cunningham, Thunderbird No.1. By Air Force mandate, Thunderbird #1 and #7 carry the same rank. The Thunderbirds are the final act in the show and their debriefing goes on until 2000 hours (8:00 P.M.) even if everything goes perfectly well in their performance.
Col. Routt told us about the exchange which took place a few years ago when the Blue Angels flew Thunderbird aircraft, and vice versa. A 4-star General of the Air Force approved that rare event.
We also spoke briefly with Kent Shockley who was on hand to drive the very well known and popular jet truck. There will be more on that later.
As our interviews in the briefing room ended and we made our way to our viewing area, 22,000 fans were streaming through the gates in preparation for the biggest and best air show ever staged at this facility.
Announcer Howdy McCann was fantastic with his narrative. After 20 minutes given to radio controlled aircraft, opening ceremonies were under way. Golden Knight Sgt. Ty Wheeler of Virginia, with the American Flag, circled by Melissa Pemberton in her beautiful Blue Edge 540 Mono Plane.
National Anthems for both USA and Canada were played and the jumpers carried the Canadian Flag, too. What a most fitting program for Memorial Day.
Perhaps not in the order they flew, the acts provided thrill after thrill. The F-16 from the Viper West Team, the F-18 Super Hornet flown by Lt. Michael (Clyde) Lofgren from Lemoore Naval Air Station in California, Susan Dacy in her 450 HP Stearman called “Big Red”, and solo sequences flown by Skip and Melissa! Skip does a daring knife edge ribbon cut and fans Brian Walker and Doug Treat were among those holding the poles.
Many fans expressed after the show that the favorite act was “Tinstix”. In this 18 minute sequence Skip, Melissa, and Shockwave were mixing it up, so to speak, in a routine with fast and aggressive aerobatics, lots of smoke and noise, and spectacular pyro provided by Rich’s “Incredible Pyro” of nearby Rockford, IL.
At 1530 hours the Thunderbirds launched and absolutely flew an awesome show for about 30 exciting minutes. They are in their 57th season, now in those beautiful red, white, and blue F-16’s.
Following the show, this writer had the very special privilege to fly with the Golden Knights. Six media persons were chosen to go with the 10 jumpers, 8 guys and 2 ladies. The narrator for the “mission” was Sgt. Rachel Medley, who was the first jumper to leave the aircraft once above the target.
What a day! It all came to a close at 1930 hours. And back to home after 11 hours at the show. Surely you can now understand why, for this writer, the event was the “very best in the upper Midwest.”
Story by Wayne Gauldin – gwg1650@aol.com
Photos by Brian Walker