Palmetto Thunder Air Show - Lancaster, SC May 17th & 18th, 2008

 
Air Show Performers

CANFORCES Skyhawks Parachute Team
The SkyHawks are a sub-unit of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre located in Trenton, Ontario. In the team’s 37-year history the Canadian Force Parachute Team – the SkyHawks – have performed around the world to an estimated 70 million spectators under our signature Canadian flag parachutes.  The SkyHawks consist of 15 members from both Regular and Reserve Force. Along with the aircrew from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, the team will perform 65 shows in 36 locations from May through October.  The SkyHawks are proud to demonstrate one of the many advanced skills that are taught in the Canadian Forces. Parachuting has a number of uses: from re-supply and mass troop insertion by round parachutes to precision insertion with square parachutes like those used by the SkyHawks. These skills are used to re-supply units as well as insert light, reconnaissance and Special Forces units.
Red Eagle Air Sports
Providing a singular blend of low-level precision formation and solo aerobatics with fascinating transitions, Red Eagle Air Sports is nationally known for it’s eye-popping, spectacular performances. Prepare to witness flat spins, inside and outside loops, multiple snap rolls, tail slides, torque rolls, plus our signature maneuvers:  the Torqued Eagle, Topcoat This, the Squirrel Cage, The Centrifuge and the Tuck-Under Break.

Flying the Red Eagle and one-of-a-kind Talon Eagle, Buck Roetman and Dan McClung demonstrate the awesome power of these highly-modified aerobatic aircraft.

Tim Weber Airshows - GEICO Extra 300
Tim Weber discovered aviation at the age of 13. Having moved to within bicycling distance of Turf Soaring School in Phoenix, Arizona, it wasn’t long before Tim was a regular visitor to the airport. By the time Tim was 14 years old he had gone from being the kid looking through the fence to becoming a line-boy, trading work for flying lessons.  The aircraft of choice for Tim is the German built Extra 300. The Extra 300 is an unlimited-class composite monoplane stressed to handle even the most demanding maneuvers. With over 300 horsepower and a roll rate in excess of 340 degrees per second, this aggressive mid-wing aircraft provides the performance and looks to make it an instant crowd pleaser.  

Tim has joined forces with GEICO, the fifth-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. GEICO has been providing insurance for more than 65 years and insures more than 5.3 million policyholders and 8.3 million vehicles. GEICO keeps their rates low by dealing directly with the customer. More than 10,000 drivers a week switch to GEICO. Watch Tim as he thrills crowds with his style of hard-core aerobatics in the GEICO Extra 300!
Goody Thomas SU-31 Airshows
Goody Thomas flies a Sukhoi SU-31 and is an airline pilot for AirTran. He is also an experienced air show aerobatic demonstration pilot and also is a member of the US Aerobatic Team. In June 2007, Goody competed in the World Aerobatic Championships in Granada, Spain.

Flying the Russian SU-31, the performance and aircraft are all about the power and agility of the SU-31.  A monowing aerobatic aircraft designed to withstand upwards of 15 positive Gs, Goody will take the aircraft through maneuvers during his demonstration including hammerhead turns, loops, rolls, and flat spins. 

Team RV
The RV Flight Formation team is a local act from the Carolinas flying the RV Series of experimental airplanes.  These kit built aircraft fly at distances of only 2 feet apart in exciting formations completing impressive precision maneuvers during their 15 minute performances all across the southeastern United States.   Each of the planes being flow was built by it's pilot.   Throughout their demonstration, the Team RV is constantly changing each plane's position in the flight pattern at speeds of up to 150 mph.   Along with local Carolina Airshows, Team RV has also flown in numerous other national airshows such as Oshkosh and EAA's Sun N Fun.

Mike Wiskus LUCAS Oil Pitts
Mike found his passion for aviation at the age of 10 after his Dad took him to his first Air Show. At 14, Mike took a job at the Mason City Iowa airport washing airplanes and cleaning hangars just to be around airplanes. Later, he traded his work for flying lessons and received his Pilots License on his 17th birthday.  Thirty years later, Mike has accumulated more than 20,000 hours of flight time managing aircraft and flying for Corporate America. 3,500 hours of that flight time has been piloting some of the highest performance air show and competition aircraft in the world.

Mike’s air show has been described as aggressive, high performance aerobatics smothered in smoke and noise. Mike can climb and tumble his plane end over end, seemingly out of control, only to dive in for his next outrageous maneuver. At a youthful and somewhat mischievous age of 47, Mike has the experience and personality fitting of an air show pilot.

US Navy F/A-18C Hornet East Coast Demonstration Team
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. 
USAF Heritage Flight
The USAF Heritage Flight program was established in 1997 to commemorate the Air Force's 50th anniversary. It involves today's state-of-the-art fighters flying in close formation with World War II, Korean and Vietnam era fighters such as the P-51 Mustang and the F-86 Sabre. The flight and proudly display the evolution of U.S. Air Force air power and to support the Air Force's recruiting and retention efforts.  There are 21 pilots in this program. The modern Air Force fighters are piloted by the seven Air Combat Command (ACC) single-ship demonstration team pilots and the vintage warbirds are piloted by 12 civilians, including former Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine pilots. In addition, two active duty F-4 pilots and an F-22A pilot joined the program in 2005.  This year's will feature the F-16C Falcon and P-51 Mustangt.

Greg Koontz Airshows
Greg Koontz has been performing in airshows since 1974, when he joined Col. Moser's Flying Circus and learned his trademark maneuvers from the best in the business. This airshow season, Greg returns to his roots to bring back good old- fashioned family entertainment in the best flying circus tradition!

Super Decathlon
The Lycoming AEIO-360 engine with 180 horses, inverted fuel & oil systems and large wing allows for tight maneuvers and slower entry speeds. Greg Koontz flies this popular plane through a solo aerobatic routine that demonstrates its agility with a full set of outside loops, vertical rolls, snaps & tumbles and inverted passes. Grand finale is the inverted ribbon cut.

Comedy Routine
Flown in the 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, this act begins as Greg- farmer Clem Cleaver- climbs up on the announcer's stand, demanding a flight lesson. Later in the show, he "steals" the plane and takes off solo, with his whole crew chasing. Grandpa shoots off a tire to get him down, and Clem lands on his pickup truck as it races down the runway.

Speed for Hire Jet School Bus
Paul Stender is a native of Big Bend, WI, but transplanted to the racing capital of the world, Indianapolis.  Stender, a former Outlaw Sprint Car Driver and NASCAR/Indy Car mechanic, has been involved with jet-powered vehicles since 1995, when he bought the famous "Jazz" Jet Funny Car.  In 1997, Paul won the prestigious Pro-Jet Rookie of the Year Award as well as setting numerous speed records.  He has been entertaining crowds at air shows and motorsports events across the country ever since.

The Dodge “RAMJET” is one of the most requested jet powered exhibition trucks on the market today.  From the striking Viper red finish to the huge fire show and breathtaking speed of over 350 mph, this 2000 Dodge truck with 10,000 HorsePower Pratt & Whitney Jet engine is truly an amazing vehicle.  It is also available for media and VIP rides.  (Available for night shows.)  Currently, Speed For Hire's lineup of vehicles includes the Famous Jet-Powered Dodge RamJet truck, World’s Fastest Jet ATV, the Atomic Chopper World Record Holding Jet-Powered Motorcycle, and the craziest of all,  the JET OUTHOUSE!   Speed For Hire just added the Jet-Powered Delivery Truck, the World’s Largest Jet Truck, and the CRUNCH TIME International Jet Truck to the lineup in 2005, as well.
Flights Unlimited Airshows RC Modelers
The Flight’s Unlimited Airshow Team is proud to be one of the AMA’s sanctioned show teams. The AMA is the largest sport aviation organization in the world. Our goal is to introduce the World of Model Aviation to the general public and mainly to kids. It is our hope to show them a positive alternative to drugs, gangs and violence. Remember, JUST SAY NO!!!

The team is home based in Danville VA and tour the Mid-Atlantic Region performing in full scale airshows. Due to the fact that all of their team members work full time jobs, they are only able to perform on weekends.
Sky Soldiers AH-1 Cobra Demonstration Team
The Sky Soldiers Precision Flight Demonstration Team is a dedicated team of veteran pilots performing at various events around the country in support of the Army’s recruiting efforts.   The mission of the Sky Soldiers is to demonstrate the Professionalism, Values, Training and Teamwork found in the US Army, and to inspire men and women to join the US Army and Army Reserves. The Sky Soldiers demonstrate “Army Strong” – the physical, mental, and emotional strength of all U.S. Army Soldiers.

The center piece of this multi-faceted new Army Recruiting program is a unique military helicopter demonstration team operated and flown by veterans utilizing the Army’s legacy AH-1F Cobra Attack helicopter. The Sky Soldiers are composed of an elite group of decorated, veteran military aviators and ground support personnel who have served their country, many with combat experience, from Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Team pilots have accumulated over 65,000 flight hours in military aircraft, 5400 combat flight hours, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 9 Bronze Stars, and 130 Air Medals. The Sky Soldiers are one of the most flight experienced of the military demonstration teams.  The Team’s performing four AH-1F Cobras, painted in the U.S. Army’s signature black and gold, perform an awe-inspiring routine that demonstrates the dynamic maneuverability and capability of the attack helicopter and the skills of the Army Aviator.
Carolinas Aviation Museum
Since 1996 the Carolinas Aviation Museum's historic flying aircraft have been attending and performing air shows across the eastern United States. From New York to Florida, and as far west as the Mississippi, at military bases and civilian airports, their aircraft and static displays excite visitors young and old. Flown by highly experienced airline and military flight crews, the  pilots also have significant air show experience.

Piedmont DC-3
In 2003, their DC-3 received the EAA's "Best Transport Award" at Oshkosh. In addition to fly-by performances, their complete historically accurate interior makes their DC-3 the perfect static display.

Grumman OV-1D Mohawk
Designed for battlefield tactical, visual, electronic, and photo reconnaissance, the Mohawk soon evolved into a multi-sensor platform that was the eyes and ears of the United States Army. From the jungles of Vietnam, to the cold-war stand-off in Germany and Korea, the Mohawk kept commanders on the ground fully briefed.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   




We look forward to seeing you at the show!!