Performer
Information
as of 10 August 2007
USAF
Thunderbirds
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration
Squadron, the Thunderbirds, performs precision aerial maneuvers demonstrating
the capabilities of Air Force high performance aircraft to people throughout the
world. The squadron exhibits the professional qualities the Air Force develops
in the people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft.
Objectives of the squadron are to support Air Force recruiting and retention programs, to reinforce public confidence in the Air Force and to demonstrate to the public the professional competence of Air Force members, to strengthen morale and esprit de corps among Air Force members, to support Air Force community relations and people-to-people programs, and to represent the United States and its armed forces to foreign nations and to project international goodwill
The Thunderbirds squadron is an Air Combat Command unit composed of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, three civilians and more than 130 enlisted personnel performing in 25 career fields.
A Thunderbirds air demonstration is a mix of formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solo aircraft highlight the maximum capabilities of the F-16.
The pilots perform approximately 30 maneuvers in a demonstration. The entire show, including ground and air, runs about an hour and fifteen minutes. The season lasts from March to November, with the winter months used to train new members.
Officers serve a two-year assignment with the squadron, while enlisted personnel serve three to four. Replacements must be trained for about half of the team each year, providing a constant mix of experience.
The squadron performs no more than 88 air
demonstrations each year and has never canceled a demonstration due to
maintenance difficulty. More than 280 million people in all 50 states and 57
foreign countries have seen the red, white and blue jets in more than 3,500
aerial demonstrations.
In addition to their responsibilities as the official U.S. Air Force aerial demonstration team, the Thunderbirds are part of our combat force. If required, the team's personnel and aircraft can be rapidly integrated into a fighter unit at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Since the aircraft are only slightly modified, they can be made combat-ready in less than 72 hours.
The USAF Thunderbirds fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Lockheed Martin (formerly General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon represents the full range of capabilities possessed by the Air Force's tactical fighters. This highly maneuverable multi-role fighter has proven to be one of the world's best precision tactical bombers and air-to-air combat aircraft. The only modifications needed to prepare the aircraft for its air demonstration role are installing a smoke-generating system in the space normally reserved for the 20mm cannon, and the painting of the aircraft in Thunderbird colors.
History
The Thunderbirds were officially activated
June 1, 1953, as the 3600th Air Demonstration Team at Luke AFB, Ariz. Their
first aircraft was the straight-winged F-84G Thunderjet, a combat fighter-bomber
that had seen action in Korea. Early in 1955 the team transitioned to the
swept-winged F-84F Thunderstreak.
In June 1956, the team moved to its
current home at Nellis. At the same time theThunderbirds traded the veteran F-84
for the world's first supersonic fighter, the F-100 Super Sabre -- an aerial
platform that would serve the Thunderbirds for 13 years. More than 1,000
demonstrations were flown in the Super Sabre, thrilling spectators around the
world. The team changed briefly to the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. After only
six shows, in 1964, due to an extensive modification that became necessary on
all Thunderchiefs, the Thunderbirds returned to the F-100.
From 1969 to 1973, the Thunderbirds flew the Air Force's front-line fighter, the F-4E Phantom. In 1974, the Thunderbirds converted to the T-38 Talon, the world's first supersonic trainer. The T-38 was more fuel-efficient and less costly to maintain than the larger F-4.
Early in 1983, the Thunderbirds reinstituted their traditional role of demonstrating the Air Force's front-line fighter capabilities. Transition to the F-16A allowed the team to retain manpower and fuel efficiency while demonstrating to spectators the latest in fighter technology.
The Thunderbirds returned to Europe for the first time in 13 years in 1984. More than 3.2 million people viewed the aerial demonstrations in 11 countries.
In 1986, the Thunderbirds participated in the rededication flyby of the Statue of Liberty and in September, another milestone was attained when the team went over the 200 million mark for total attendance.
The largest crowd, 2.25 million people, to see a performance was at Coney Island, N.Y., July 4, 1987. The 1987 Far East tour marked their debut in Beijing, China -- the first American military demonstration performance in a Communist country.
Operation Desert Storm cancelled the 1990 European tour and the season was shortened. The team converted to the F-16C in 1992, bringing the F-16A era to an end.
In 1996, the team traveled again to Europe
where crowds from former Warsaw Pact countries enjoyed the "Ambassadors in
Blue." In July 1996, the team participated in opening ceremonies of the
Centennial Olympics held in Atlanta which were viewed by an estimated 3.5
billion people around the world.
The 2007 Atlantic City Thunder over the Boardwalk Airshow welcomes the USAF
Thunderbirds to this year's event.
US Army Parachute Team, the
"Golden Knights"
The
United States Army Parachute Team, the "Golden Knights," is the Army's
only official aerial demonstration unit. Located at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina, the 90 men and women who make up the Knights come from diverse
backgrounds and hold various military occupational skills.
The team's origin traces back to September 1959, when it was originally formed as the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC) Parachute Team.
On June 1, 1961, the team was activated formally and redesignated as the US Army Parachute Team and the following year earned the nickname, the Golden Knights.
During that time, the team embarked on its threefold mission: 1) perform live aerial demonstrations for the American public and spread goodwill for the US Army; 2) compete in national and international parachuting competitions; and 3) test and evaluate new parachuting techniques and equipment. This mission has remained the same over the years as well as the Knights' unwaivering commitment to it.
The Golden Knights are organized into two demonstration team: the Black and Gold Teams; two competition teams; the Style and Accuracy and Formation Skydiving Team; and aviation section with a fleet of six aircraft; and a headquarters section consisting of parachute maintenance, administration, budget, operations, supply and public affairs specialists. The demonstration teams spend more than 230 days a year performing at numerous airshows, state fairs, and civic events. The Knights have performed more than 8,100 live aerial demonstrations in all 50 states and in 47 foreign countries. Through the years, the Golden Knights also have earned the title of "The Army's Goodwill Ambassadors to the World."
While the world knows the demonstrators as ambassadors, they also recognize the Team's competitors as champions. The competition teams have never failed to bring home medals of accomplishment from national and international parachuting competitions. The Golden Knights have produced 129 national and 23 world champion parachutists. They have won an impressive 13 world team titles in free-fall formation parachuting, making them the most winning US Department of Defense sport team.
The Team's superior performances, conduct, and accomplishments have rekindled and sustained a national pride in the hearts of many Americans. Since its inception, the Team's faces have changed, but every Golden Knight's exemplary conduct and dedication to the US Army and the American public remains steadfast.
We welcome the US Army Golden Knights to Atlantic City for this year's event.
USMC AV-8B Harrier II Demonstration
The
AV-8B Harrier is a single-seat, light attack aircraft that provides offensive
air support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). By virtue of its
Vertical/Short Take-Off or Landing (V/STOL) capability, the AV-8B can operate
from a variety of amphibious ships, rapidly constructed expeditionary airfields,
forward sites (e.g., roads), and damaged conventional airfields. This makes the
aircraft particularly well-suited for providing dedicated close air support.
The mission of the VMA STOVL squadron is to attack and destroy surface and air
targets, to escort helicopters, and to conduct other such air operations as may
be directed.
The improved version of the Harrier, known as the AV-8B, was manufactured in the
United States by McDonnell Douglas under an agreement with the British Aerospace
Corporation. In the various trials, demonstrations, and special exercises
conducted, the AV-8B's high availability and its successful completion of
operational objectives in highly restrictive environments confirmed that it
could be effectively maintained and supported. The supportability of any weapon
system can be illustrated by its performance over an extended period of time in
terms of Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Maintenance Man-hours per Flight
Hour (MMH/FH). The AV-8B proved to be a supportable weapon system with
performance data showed a steady improvement in the supportability factors
throughout the life cycle of the aircraft.
Since the aircraft entered the inventory as a mature, off-shore weapons system,
there were initial programmatic difficulties in provisioning which plagued the
airplane with a high Not Mission Capable Supply (NMCS) rate. Indeed, through the
years, the operationally ready rate improved and continued to improve to a rate
that was favorable when compared to other first line aircraft. Logistics support
continued to challenge the Marines throughout the Day, Night Attack and Radar
aircraft programs. Now with an ongoing remanufacture program for selected
Harriers in the inventory will provide new engines and radar, a Forward Looking
Infrared Radar (FLIR), moving map and night vision goggles. These improvements
will give the Harrier a day and night attack capability, and will extend the
service life into the next century as well as greatly improving warfighting
capability and logistics support ability.
The British Aerospace Harrier is used by the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, the
US Marine Corps, and the navies of Spain and India. In addition to the USMC, the
Spanish and Italian Navies fly the AV-8B. The Spanish Navy has nine Day Attack
and eight Radar aircraft. The Italian Navy has two Trainer and sixteen Radar
aircraft. Both Spanish and Italian Pilots and maintenance personnel train with
USMC personnel to ensure commonality between forces. There have been no Foreign
Military Sales (FMS) of the Night Attack Aircraft and the AV-8B has not been
sold the any other military force at this time.
The aircraft and demonstration team for this year's event are based
with VMA-223 at
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. We welcome the United States
Marine Corps to Atlantic City and the debut of the remarkable AV-8B Harrier II
at this year's event.
US Navy F/A-18C Hornet
The
2007
Atlantic City Airshow welcomes VFA-106 to this year's event.
The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin engine, mid-wing, all-weather fighter and attack
aircraft. The F/A-18A and C models are single seat aircraft. The F/A-18B and D
models are dual-seated. The Navy uses the B and D primarily for training, while
the Marine Corps uses it for attack, tactical air control, airborne forward air
control, and reconnaissance. The F/A-18C and D models are the result of an
upgrade in 1987 incorporating provisions for improved night attack capability,
as well as employing updated missiles and jamming devices.
The Hornet is the nations first true strike-fighter capable aircraft. It was
designed for traditional strike aircraft missions without compromising its
fighter capabilities. In fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter
escort and for fleet defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force
projection, interdiction, and close air support.
F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons worldwide and
from 10 aircraft carriers. It is proudly flown by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels
Flight Demonstration Squadron.
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during Operation Desert
Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently bombing their targets with
the same aircraft on the same mission. It also broke all records for tactical
aircraft in availability, reliability, and maintainability. The aircraft's
survivability was proven by Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air
missiles, only to fly again the next day.
All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter or attack roles
or both, through selected use of external ordnance and sensors to accomplish
specific missions. This “force multiplier” capability gives the operational
commander more flexibility in employing tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing
battle scenario.
GEICO Skytypers
The
Skytypers are a squadron of airplanes that serve as your ambassador to millions
of consumers annually by "SKYTYPING" your website or promotional
messages in the sky.
They have domestic operating units in New York, California, and Florida. We have also expanded our services into the European Market, Japan, and South Africa.
The
The Skytyping process utilizes five airplanes that fly abreast, 250-feet apart
and "type" up to 30 character messages in a dot-matrix-like pattern.
When Skytyping, the airplanes create messages in the sky that are 5 miles long,
as tall as the Empire State Building and can be seen for 15 miles in any
direction or nearly 400 square miles.
The 2007 Atlantic City Thunder over the Boardwalk Airshow welcomes the Skytypers to this year's event.
They are sponsored by Geico!
USAF
F-16CJ Falcon Demonstration Team
The
2007 Atlantic City Thunder over the Boardwalk Airshow welcomes the F-16CJ East
Coast Demonstration Team to this year's event.
Mission
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly
maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface
attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for
the United States and allied nations.
Features
In an air combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius (distance it
can fly to enter air combat, stay, fight and return) exceed that of all
potential threat fighter aircraft. It can locate targets in all weather
conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. In an
air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers),
deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy
aircraft, and return to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it
to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions.
In designing the F-16, advanced aerospace science and proven reliable systems
from other aircraft such as the F-15 and F-111 were selected. These were
combined to simplify the airplane and reduce its size, purchase price,
maintenance costs and weight. The light weight of the fuselage is achieved
without reducing its strength. With a full load of internal fuel, the F-16 can
withstand up to nine G's -- nine times the force of gravity -- which exceeds the
capability of other current fighter aircraft.
The cockpit and its bubble canopy give the pilot unobstructed forward and upward
vision, and greatly improved vision over the side and to the rear. The seat-back
angle was expanded from the usual 13 degrees to 30 degrees, increasing pilot
comfort and gravity force tolerance. The pilot has excellent flight control of
the F-16 through its "fly-by-wire" system. Electrical wires relay
commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. For easy and accurate
control of the aircraft during high G-force combat maneuvers, a side stick
controller is used instead of the conventional center-mounted stick. Hand
pressure on the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators of
flight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder.
Avionics systems include a highly accurate inertial navigation system in which a
computer provides steering information to the pilot. The plane has UHF and VHF
radios plus an instrument landing system. It also has a warning system and
modular countermeasure pods to be used against airborne or surface electronic
threats. The fuselage has space for additional avionics systems.
Background
The F-16A, a single-seat model, first flew in December 1976. The first
operational F-16A was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter
Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
The F-16B, a two-seat model, has tandem cockpits that are about the same size as
the one in the A model. Its bubble canopy extends to cover the second cockpit.
To make room for the second cockpit, the forward fuselage fuel tank and avionics
growth space were reduced. During training, the forward cockpit is used by a
student pilot with an instructor pilot in the rear cockpit.
All F-16s delivered since November 1981 have built-in structural and wiring
provisions and systems architecture that permit expansion of the multirole
flexibility to perform precision strike, night attack and beyond-visual-range
interception missions. This improvement program led to the F-16C and F-16D
aircraft, which are the single- and two-place counterparts to the F-16A/B, and
incorporate the latest cockpit control and display technology. All active units
and many Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units have converted to the
F-16C/D.
The F-16 was built under an unusual agreement creating a consortium between the
United States and four NATO countries: Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and
Norway. These countries jointly produced with the United States an initial 348
F-16s for their air forces. Final airframe assembly lines were located in
Belgium and the Netherlands. The consortium's F-16s are assembled from
components manufactured in all five countries. Belgium also provides final
assembly of the F100 engine used in the European F-16s. Recently, Portugal
joined the consortium. The long-term benefits of this program will be technology
transfer among the nations producing the F-16, and a common-use aircraft for
NATO nations. This program increases the supply and availability of repair parts
in Europe and improv
es
the F-16's combat readiness.
USAF F-16 multirole fighters were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in
support of Operation Desert Storm, where more sorties were flown than with any
other aircraft. These fighters were used to attack airfields, military
production facilities, Scud missiles sites and a variety of other targets.
During Operation Allied Force, USAF F-16 multirole fighters flew a variety of
missions to include suppression of enemy air defense, offensive counter air,
defensive counter air, close air support and forward air controller missions.
Mission results were outstanding as these fighters destroyed radar sites,
vehicles, tanks, MiGs and buildings.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the F-16 has been a major component of the combat forces
committed to the Global War on Terrorism flying thousands of sorties in support
of operations Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
and Iraqi Freedom
Major Jason Koltes is in his first season as the Air Combat Command's Viper East
F-16 Demonstration Team pilot and officer in charge of the F-16 Demonstration
Team. As the Demonstration pilot, he showcases America 's F-16 Fighting Falcon
to more than seven million people at approximately 35 shows around the world. He
is currently assigned as an F-16 pilot with the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air
Force Base, S.C.
Major Koltes was born October 1, 1970 in Grand Forks, ND. He graduated from
Ponder High School, Ponder, TX in 1989. In 1994, he earned a Bachelor of
Business Administration degree specializing in Strategic Management. He is
married to the former Heather Taylor of Atlanta, GA. Together they have four
boys: Brandon, Hunter, Parker, and Carson.
USAF F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team
2007 brings
the encore performance of the USAF F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team from the 4th
Fighter Wing at Seymour-Johnson AFB, North Carolina for the Atlantic City
Airshow. The F-15E was developed
as a dual role fighter designed for both air superiority and air-to-ground missions. Unlike the F-15A and F-15C single-place aircraft, the -E model carries a pilot and a weapon systems officer
(WSO).
The F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team consists of pilots and maintainers from the 4th Fighter Wing, based at Seymour-Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Captains Al "Jewel" Kennedy and Jason "Woody" Stallworth are the pilot and WIZO for
this year's demonstration team.
The F-15E, which first flew on 11 December 1986, was used extensively in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield/Storm with great success. The Strike Eagle is used exclusively by the USAF and scheduled procurement of the aircraft through 1998 will bring the total number of F-15E's produced to 225.
The F-15E is a two seat, two engine dual role fighter capable of speeds up to MACH 2.5. The F-15E performs day and night all weather air-to-air and air-to-ground missions including strategic strike, interdiction, OCA and DCA. Although primarily a deep interdiction platform, the F-15E can also perform CAS and Escort missions. Strike Eagles are equipped with LANTIRN, enhancing night PGM delivery capability. The F-15E outbord and inboard wing stations and the centerline can be load with various armament. The outboard wing hardpoint are unable to carry heavy loads and are assign for ECM pods. The other hardpoints can be employed for various loads but with the use of multiple ejection racks (MERs). Each MER can hold six Mk-82 bombs or "Snakeye" retarded bombs, or six Mk 20 "Rockeye" dispensers, four CBU-52B, CBU- 58B, or CBU-71B dispensers, a single Mk-84 (907 kg) bomb F- 15E can carry also "smart" weapons, CBU-10 laser quided bomb based on the Mk 84 bomb, CBU-12, CBU-15, or another, laser, electro-optical, or infra-red guided bomb (including AGM-G5 "Maverick" air-to-ground) missiles.
We welcome the USAF F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team to Atlantic City for
this year's event.
Rob Holland
"Aerial Advantage" Ultimate Aerobatics
(aircraft photo by Seth Goltzer)
Rob
Holland has been flying since the age of 18 and has accumulated greater than
5,500 hours in over 100 types of aircraft. He graduated Daniel Webster College
in 1997 with a B.S. in Aviation Management and a B.S. in Aviation Flight
Operations.
Rob is ATP rated with a CFI and CFII and also holds a glider rating. He has
flight instructed, towed bann.jpg)
ers, ferried aircraft throughout the country, flown
cooperate in a Pilatus PC-12 and flown for the commuters in a Jetstream 31 for
USAir Express.
Rob currently owns and operates Aerial Advantage Aviation School of Aerobatic
Flightin Nashua, NH where he specializes in Emergency Upset Recognition and
Recovery, Aerobatic, Spin, and Tailwheel instruction with over 3800 hours of
tailwheel time and over 1900 hours teaching aerobatics to students of all skill
levels.
He has received multiple first place and subsequent awards in several aerobatic
competitions in the United States and Canada, and has performed in airshows all
over the Eastern United States. Rob was the New England Aerobatic Competitor of
the year in 2002 and is the Northeast Advanced Aerobatic Champion for 2003. Rob
is currently a member of the United States Advance Aerobatic Team.
We welcome Rob to this year's Atlantic City Airshow with his newly acquired MX-2
aircraft.
Jim
Beasley Jr.
(Photo Courtesy of John
Baert)
One of the most effective aircraft of
World War II, the North American P-51 Mustang was first developed to meet a
British requirement of 1940. Needed desperately because of the grave
situation in Europe, the project was completed ahead of the 120 day schedule set
by the United Kingdom. The first Mustangs were powered with Allison
engines, but while this engine performed well at lower altitudes, power output
rapidly declined above 12,000 feet. This power problem prompted North
American to look at the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine to power the Mustang.
The Merlin engine was found to perform extremely well at all altitudes and
rapidly increased the flexibility of the aircraft. The P-51B was the first
variant to use the Merlin engine.
The most common variants of the Mustang were the P-51D and P-51K. A total of 7,956 P-51Ds and 1500 P-51Ks were built. Less than 100 remain flyable in the world today.
After World War II, the United States Army Air Force's Mustangs remained in services with the Strategic Air Command until 1949 and for several more years with the US Air Reserve and Air National Guard units. Mustangs were some of the first fighters to see action in the Korean War.
Mr. Beasley has
well over 4000+ hours flight time in which 2000 hours are in the P-51 series and
1000+ hours in North American T-6 Texan. He also have flight time in the
F4U Corsair, F-86 Sabre, and the L-39 Albatross. Besides several North
American P-51 Mustangs, Jim also owes and operates a T-6 Texan and Piper
Cheyenne II. He holds commercial, multi-engine instrument ratings as
well as a surface level aerobatic waiver for solo and formation
aerobatics. Jim has been flying the Mustang for 20 years.
The aicraft
flying at the airshow this year is "Bald Eagle" and has been in family
since 1978; Mr. Beasley Sr. bought it in Texas. Mr. Beasley Sr. passed
away 2004; Jim Beasley Jr. bought it from his Estate.
Another
aircraft in Jim Beasley Jr.'s collection is "Frenesi" which is
currently under restoration and hopefully will be flying by the summer of 2008.
The latest Mustang to be acquired by Jim was "Princess Elizabeth." It is one of only 3 flying C model Mustangs left in the world today. After extensive restoration over an 8 year period in the US and UK, the aircraft was acquired in November 2006 from Stephen Grey’s Fighter Collection in Duxford.
During the week, Jim Beasley Jr. is an attorney in Philadelphia PA with The Beasley Firm.
The 2007 "Thunder Over the
Boardwalk" Airshow welcomes Mr. Jim Beasley Jr. in his P-51 Mustang for the USAF Heritage
Flight with the USAF F-16 Demo Team and the F-15E Strike Eagle Demo Team. Jim resides in
West Chester, PA. Jim is one of the originating members of the USAF's "Heritage
Flight" program which will also be a part of this event.
Matt Chapman, CAP580
Aerobatics
Matt
started flying in 1979, and now has over 14,000 hours of flying time and a
career flying for American Airlines.
He began aerobatics in 1984 and quickly worked his way up to the highest level of competition aerobatics – Unlimited. Recognized for his skills, he won one of only five slots on the U.S. Unlimited Men’s Aerobatic Team in 1996 and 1998.
At the Slovakian WAC in 1998, Matt was the highest ranking American pilot, finishing 3rd in the world with a bronze medal, and led the U.S. Men’s Team to a silver medal. Along with this impressive finish comes the coveted Hillard Trophy, awarded to the highest finishing U.S. pilot at the WAC.
Matt also won
the prestigious IAC Championships in 1994 and the Fond
du Lac Cup in 1995.
With over 20 years of air show experience, Matt knows how to thrill the crowd and work the media. He has appeared on ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports Network, Real TV, TLC’s Amazing America and SpeedVision. He was also one of six elite pilots in the Championship Air Show Pilots Association (CASPA).
Matt’s
hobbies include building and flying radio-controlled model airplanes and
helicopters.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the premier aviation university in the
nation, is proud to be an official sponsor of award-winning aerobatic performer
Matt Chapman.
Embry-Riddle
offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in aviation,
aerospace, business, and engineering, also online learning, airframe and power
plant certification, research and consulting services,
student internships, and ROTC programs.
Embry-Riddle
educates more than 34,000 students annually at its residential campuses in
Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, and through its Worldwide Campus.
Embry-Riddle's
undergraduate professional pilot program in Daytona Beach and Prescott is the
largest in the nation and its precision flight teams consistently rank among the
top in the nation.
The
major airlines hire more alumni from Embry-Riddle than from any other collegiate
aviation program. You can check out Embry-Riddle online at www.embryriddle.edu.
The
Lycoming “Thunderbolt” 580 engine is pulling the “Eagle 580” through the
sky. The IO-580, producing a cloud splitting 360 HP, provides proven, reliable
Lycoming power know around the world as the leader in piston aircraft engines.
Great
Planes Model Manufacturing Company is also a proud sponsor of Matt Chapman.
Great Planes is the worlds larges producer of RC model airplanes. Matt
Chapman’s CAP 580 is now available from GP in 3 different sizes in almost
ready to fly kits. Check them out at Greatplanes.com.
2007
marks the first performance by Matt at the Atlantic City Airshow.
He'll be performing a solo demonstration in the CAP 580 as well as flying some
of the best formation aerobatics with Mike Mancuso prior to the USAF
Thunderbirds performance.
Mike Mancuso Extra 300
Aerobatics
Mike
started flying gliders when he was 11 years old. He soloed in an airplane
on this grandfather's farm when he was only 14 years old! What else would
you expect a 13 year old to do in an airplane up there all by himself than to
teach himself aerobatics? By the time Michael was 18 years old, he had his
commercial pilots license and was off to a successful aerobatic career.
Michael retired from aerobatic competition in 1998 to join the Northern Lights
Aerobatic Team. He stayed with the world famous, award winning team until
their retirement in 2000.
2007 is Michael's 10th year as a full time airshow superstar! In addition to the solo show he is now so well known for, Michael has combined forces with Matt Chapman to create a 1 ship formation aerobatic routine that is the stuff legends are made of! Michael is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and is looking forward to a career as a major motion picture stunt pilot.
When Michael is not flying
airshows, he is home on Long Island at this family owned Mid Island Flying
School.
USAF B-2A Spirit
Stealth Bomber
Flying
at the 2007 Atlantic City Thunder over the Boardwalk will be the
United States Air Force's very own B-2 Spirit flown in from the 509th Bomb Wing
at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
The
B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and
nuclear munitions. Its combination of stealth, global range, and large
payload of precision munitions place it at the forefront of air operations in
defense of the Untied States. The B-2's unique properties make it ideal to
"Kick down the Door" of enemy defenses, allowing follow-on friendly
forces to operate with reduced risk.
B-2 bombers led the way in the campaigns over Afghanistan and more recently in
Iraq, where their accurate payloads of up to sixteen, two thousand pound joint
direct attack munitions were an integral park of the effort to remove the regime
of Saddam Hussein from power.
The B-2 carries a crew of two pilots, and is capable of striking anywhere in the
world either by flying directly from its base in Missouri, or by deploying to
forward locations outside of the United States. The B-2 holds the record
for the longest combat mission in aviation history; 44 hours from Whiteman Air
Force Base to targets in Afghanistan.
In December 2003, the 509th Bomb Wing celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the
delivery of the first B-2 to Whiteman Air Force Base, reflecting on a decade of
accomplishments in three wars. New weapons in development will soon
increase the aircraft's precision capability five-fold, keeping it at the
cutting edge of aerospace power.
Atlantic City welcomes the USAF B-2A Spirit as part of the airshow festivities.
Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City HH-65C Dolphin
The
history of the Coast Guard in southern New Jersey and the Delaware Bay
encapsulates the history of the entire Coast Guard. In the early 1800's, the
Coast Guard's predecessor, the Revenue Cutter Service, patrolled the New Jersey
coast while performing its duty of collecting tariffs from merchants inbound to
the busy port of Philadelphia. Later, during the days of Prohibition, smaller
boats were commissioned to search for rumrunners smuggling their goods onto New
Jersey beaches.
Brooklyn Patch The first lifesaving stations along the New Jersey coastline were
built in 1849 in response to a rash of deadly shipping accidents. The term
"Group" was first coined in reference to this string of lifesaving
stations from Barnegat to Cape May, New Jersey. In 1969, Cape May became a
Group-Air Station when three helicopters were stationed there under the command
of the Group Commander. Originally, organized into two separate group offices
based in Atlantic City and Cape May, these command structures were combined in
1982.
Group-Air Station Atlantic City in its present form is the result of a Coast
Guard aviation streamlining initiative to realign unit location with the
capabilities of today's modern aircraft. Air Station Brooklyn, New York and
Group-Air Station Cape May, New Jersey resources were combined at the newly
constructed $13 million facility at Atlantic City International Airport, which
opened June 8, 1998.
Air Station Atlantic City is a
multi-mission unit, possessing "6" HH-65 Dolphin Helicopters. Air
Station Atlantic City's area of responsibility includes the coastal shoreline
extending from Cape Charles, Va., north to the mid-point shoreline of Long
Island, the East River, north on the Hudson River to Albany, the Chesapeake and
Delaware Bays, and the Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York
City areas..
The Air Station is responsible for search and rescue, maritime law enforcement,
recreational boating safety, and maintenance of aids to navigation; which
include Lighthouses in the Air Station's AOR.
As the primary search and rescue responder for the lower Delaware Bay and the
New Jersey Shore, Air Station Atlantic City and Group Atlantic City conduct
approximately 1,500 search and rescue cases a year. In addition to the busy job
of search and rescue, the Group and Air Station conduct an average of 660 law
enforcement boardings each year. These boardings include; enforcement of boating
safety laws, fisheries regulations, commercial fishing vessel safety, and drug
trafficking.
In 2005, CGAS Atlantic City was the first unit to receive the new HH-65C Dolphin
aircraft. With new avionics and engines, these aircraft provide the US
Coast Guard with additional strength for their daily mission.
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield Blimp of NJ
For the past several
years, you may have seen the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ blimp flying
high above the Garden State during the summer months. This very recognizable
blimp flies only in New Jersey.
The
blimp has appeared at many exciting events over the years, everything from
concerts, parades, and festivals, to sporting events. The blimp has for the last
few years, also been the sole aerial camera provider for the LPGA Shoprite
Classic Golf Tournament, broadcast on ESPN.
Being
very involved with the local community is vital to the program so, it's no
surprise the blimp was also seen at minor league baseball games including the
Trenton Thunder and Newark Bears. The blimp also made appearances at nationally
recognized games such as the MLS Metrostars and NFL Giants and Jets.
Get
ready for another exciting summer in 2005 with The Bag Is Back Blimp Tour.
Unveiling a fresh new look, the blimp will carry the company’s newest
advertising icon – the medical bag – to remind New Jerseyans of Horizon
BCBSNJ’s commitment to a simpler, more commonsense approach to health care.
The blimp also includes the advertising campaign’s Web site
www.thebagisback.com.
FAA
R&D Flight Program
The
FAA’s Research and Development (R&D) Flight Program is located at the FAA
William J. Hughes Technical Center, Atlantic City International Airport. The
R&D Flight Program serves many customers throughout the FAA and encompasses
aircraft operations, aircraft maintenance, aircraft engineering and
modifications. The program currently operates, maintains, and modifies six
aircraft of five different types as airborne R&D laboratories. These flying
laboratories are equipped, or can be readily modified inhouse to support any and
all FAA projects requiring flight test.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s William J. Hughes Technical Center near
Atlantic City took delivery of this new Bombardier Global 5000 business jet in
September 2005. The $24.8 million,
ten-passenger aircraft was purchased by the FAA from Bombardier Aerospace
Corporation of Richardson, Texas.
The new
aircraft serves as an airborne research and development laboratory for flight
testing in a wide variety of forward-looking aviation safety, navigation and
efficiency-enhancing projects, including the global positioning system – both
wide area augmentation and local area augmentation systems; automatic dependent
surveillance/broadcast; Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B);
X-band airport surface detection equipment, or ASDE-X; and next generation
air-to-ground communications.
Certain design
features of the Bombardier Global 5000 make it ideal for flight tests.
The aircraft’s cockpit systems and wing design are very compatible with
the wide range of new systems and technology the FAA routinely develops and
tests. The aircraft has independent
power sources capable of generating the electricity needed for electronic
monitoring equipment, and features a total usable cabin volume of 1,882 cubic
feet, from the start of the forward lavatory to the end of the pressurized
compartment, to accommodate extensive research equipment.
The aircraft
also has exceptional payload capacity and endurance.
The high-speed intercontinental business jet was launched in 2002, and is
capable of flying non-stop from continental Europe to central North America at
Mach 0.85 with eight passengers and three crew.
The Global 5000
contains 20 avionics systems. Along
with the systems that operate in many other aircraft, this jet features a
six-tube Electronic Flight Instrumentation System, a Dual Flight Management
System, three Digital Air Data Computers, a Dual Auto-Flight System, a Traffic
Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II, versions 7), a Dual Auto Throttle System, a
Heads-Up Display, and many more advanced systems.
The
Bombardier Global 5000 joins the Technical Center’s fleet of test
aircraft—or flying laboratories—that includes two Convair CV-580s, a
Sikorsky S-76A helicopter, an Aero Commander AC680E, and a Beach King Air
BE-200.
We are pleased to welcome the newly acquired Bombardier Global 5000 for the
flyby during the 2007 Atlantic City Airshow.
The
Red Star Demo Team - North East Raiders Division
The
Red Star Pilots Association is a Federal 501(c)(3) Not-For-Profit registered in
the state of Virginia. The
association mission is to promote and preserve the safe operation, display and
enjoyment of all aircraft, jet to prop, aerobatic, sport, warbird and utility,
originating in the current and former communist block nations. The RPA in effect
strives to convert Soviet Cold War "Swords to Ploughshares" and
inspire young and old who strive to be, or are fascinated by, the world of
aviation.
The Red Star Team: A volunteer group of Aviators. These pilots sponsor local formation training seminars at the Flying W Airport in Lumberton NJ. In the last 4 years they have sponsored local fly-ins at the Flying W airport in Lumberton NJ to benefit local High School Students. This group of aviators sponsored the Flying Club at Holy Cross High School in Delran and awarded a flight scholarship to a student at Lenape High School in Mount Laurel. Their High School mentoring program has been so successful that they have 10 local High School students attending College who are enrolled in Flight or Aviation engineering programs with 3 students already earning their pilots license.
All
pilots are Formation and Safety Trained. This volunteer formation team is
rewarded only by their love of flying and a desire to please the crowd.
The
Pilots
Red
Star 1 - Martin Sheehan
Flying
a White and Red Nanchang CJ 6. Mount Laurel New Jersey resident. Started
his aviation career as a private pilot in Southern Jersey, and then joined the
Marine Corps to fly the F4 Phantom and the A4 Skyhawk, Currently employed as an
Airline Captain flying both domestically and internationally. Marty is married
to his wife of 21 years Sharon. Together they have 4 children. Marty will be
performing both Formation and Aerobatic maneuvers today.
Red
Star 2 - Tim Stevens
Flying
a Red Yak 52. Moorestown New Jersey resident. Commercial and industrial
real estate developer. General aviation pilot with over 30 years experience.
Tim’s ratings include multi-engine instrument, Seaplane and is currently
working on his helicopter rating. In support of his day job, Tim flies a
Beachcraft A-36 Bonanza. Recently, Tim flew in the Oshkosh Air Show in Oshkosh
Wisconsin.
Red
Star 3 - Jeff Daniel
Flying
a Red White And Blue Yak 52. Southampton New Jersey resident.
Jeff started out his professional pilot career here in New Jersey flight
instructing and Banner Towing. Jeff
served as a pilot in the USAF before going to work for a Major US Airline in
1992 where he flies internationally. Jeff also owns and operates a cranberry
farm and an Aerial Application (crop dusting) company here in south Jersey.
Jeff is married to his wife of 19 years Sharon and has two kids Austin 16
and Jackie 13. Jeff is teaching his son Austin to fly in his Yak. Austin
aspires to become a Military pilot.
Red
Star 4 - Tom Reynolds
Flying
a Red & White Yak-52. Tom is a resident of South Jersey. Tom
purchased his Yak-52 in 2002 and joined The Red Star pilots Association in 2003.
He currently is working for one of the major US Airlines and flies both domestic
& international flights. Tom first started flying at age 16, and has been
working in the airline business for the past 28 years. During his career he has
flown many different types of aircraft and has accumulated over 20,000 hours of
flight time.
Red
Star 5 - Morten Stoverud
Flying
a Tan and Brown CJ6. Born in Oslo Norway. Morten trained to fly in
both the US and Norway. Flying since his early youth Morten not only is an
accomplished Pilot but an Aircraft and Power Plant Mechanic with an IA rating.
Morten and his maintenance staff maintain all of the aircraft on the team. He
holds his Airline Transport rating and is currently flying domestically and
internationally for a major US air carrier.
The
Aircraft
NANCHANG
CJ-6
Built under license in China, the basic Yak-18 was known as the Nanchang CJ-5.
Produced at the Nanchang Aircraft Factory from 1954 through 1958, the design
showed deficiencies for jet pilot training that led the Chinese to independently
revise the basic Yak-18 design to feature a retractable undercarriage, with the
main gear folding inward toward the fuselage, and the nose wheel retracting
backward into the fuselage. Finally, in 1961, an improved CJ-6A gained approval
and was produced from 1962 until 1965, using a 285hp Quzhou Huosai HS6A engine.
More than 1,800 CJ-6As were produced, including those exported to nations such
as Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Tanzania and Zambia under the designation
BT-6. An armed version, the CJ-6B, was produced between 1964 and 1966, possibly
equipped with a 300-hp HS-6D engine, according to some sources. More than
10,000 of all types are believed to have been produced. Both the Yak-18 and the
Nanchang CJ-6 have become popular with pilots worldwide who appreciate the
sturdy qualities, reliability and personality of these old warbirds.
YAK
52W
This YAK 52W is a 2 seat tandem aircraft with fully inverted flight and
aerobatic capabilities to +7g-5g’s with two pilots and full main tanks of
fuel. Registration in the USA is required to be the "Experimental".
Both cockpits are equipped with gyro instruments, artificial horizon, and
magnetic compass. All primary controls are fully duplicated. This is an easy
airplane to fly aerobatics, instruments (IMC) or cross-country. The
YAK 52 is a primary military trainer designed by the world renowned A.S.
Yakovlev Bureau, Moscow and has proven to be a very successful aircraft series
that preceded the YAK 52W. The aircraft
is produced under license from Aerostar SA. Bacau, Romania. Over 1700 have been
produced to date starting with YAK- 52 first flight in 1974 with production
starting in 1975. The Russians made no announcement about its existence until
1978. At the peak of production 150 aircraft were manufactured per year.
The aircraft provides excellent handling from basic
training through to advanced aerobatic training with G Limits of +7 -5g with 2
crew. VERY responsive and really fun to fly! The
M14P engine of 360 HP is the world's most reliable 9-cylinder radial engine and
is produced by Aerostar at Bacau. The
aircraft can be operated from hard runways or unimproved grass surfaces. The
rugged undercarriage is strong and reliable. The
operation of several systems including retractable undercarriage, flaps, engine
starting are provided by pneumatic pressure, for reliability and light weight.
A/C electrical services are standard, 24V.
Maintenance
is easy and can be performed in the "field". The YAK 52 offers
performance and ease of operation, second-to-none.