The Kāneʻohe Bay Airshow at Marine Corps
Base Hawaiʻi will take place on September 29-30, 2012 and is free to the
public.
Performances in the Air
US Navy Blue Angels
At the end of World War II, the Chief of Naval Operations,
Chester W. Nimitz, ordered the formation of a flight demonstration team to keep
the public interested in naval Aviation. The Blue Angels performed their first
flight demonstration less than a year later in June 1946 at their home base,
Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida.
By the end of the 1940s, the Blue Angels were flying their
jet aircraft, the Grumman F9F-2 Panther. In response to the demands placed on
Naval Aviation in the Korean Conflict, the team reported to the aircraft
carrier USS Princeton as the nucleus of Fighter Squadron 191 (VF-191),
"Satan's Kittens," in 1950. Today
the Blue Angels fly the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet.
Fat Albert
Transporting Blue Angels maintenance and support personnel,
communication equipment and spare parts is a United States Marine Corps C-130T
Hercules nicknamed, “Fat Albert Airlines.” In past Kaneohe Bay Airshows, Fat
Albert has demonstrated its jet-assisted takeoff (JATO) capability which
enables the plane to takeoff from as little as 1,500 feet of runway, climb at a
steep 45-degree angle, and attain an altitude of 1,000 feet within 15 seconds.
Chuck Aaron
"Malibu" Chuck Aaron is the first and only
civilian pilot ever to be licensed to perform helicopter aerobatics in the
United States. In fact, he's one of only a handful of pilots permitted to
execute the dangerous maneuvers internationally. Chuck is also the first
helicopter pilot to be presented with the Art Scholl Showmanship Award, an
honor bestowed by the International Council of Air Shows to recognize the world's
most outstanding air show performers, and was inducted in 2011 to the
prestigious Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Kirby Chambliss
Kirby Chambliss is noted as one of the best aerobatic pilots
in the world. A five-time winner of the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship
and a former Men's Freestyle World Champion, he's also fast, world-class fast.
Kirby is one of only two American pilots ever to win the Red Bull Air Race
World Championship, an international series in which pilots push the envelope
by executing aerobatic maneuvers with absolute precision while racing against
the clock.
Mike Wiskus
Like many of the show pilots, Mike's passion for aviation
started when he was very young. Mike's Dad took him to his first air show at
their hometown in Iowa at the age of 10. Thirty two years later, Mike has
accumulated more than 24,000 flight hours and has qualified in more than 40
aircraft. Mike keeps a very busy schedule flying for Corporate America as well
as keeping a full time air show schedule from April through November.
Hank Bruckner
Hank Bruckner was always captivated by aircraft and flying.
He became a flight instructor shortly before retiring from the Air Force in
1990, and began instructing, eventually starting his own flight school—Kaimana
Aviation—where he currently teaches aerobatics, unusual altitude recoveries,
spins and tailwheel transition training.
Clint Churchill
Clint’s flying career began 45 years ago while attending
college at the University of Arizona. Upon graduating, Clint joined the Tucson
Air National Guard. Two years later he completed USAF pilot training as a
Distinguished Graduate. “Sensing the
need to keep pulling some Gs,” as Clint puts it, he founded Acroflight, Inc. in
1996 and acquired an Extra 300L which he named Onipa’a (strong, steadfast).
Clint has provided aerobatic rides to more than 500 customers and performed 24
air shows at various locations in Hawai’i. He has 4,200 flight hours, including
1,100 hours in the Extra.
Alan Miller
The son of a career Navy man, Alan Miller’s life-long
passion for aviation began while growing up aboard Barbers Point Naval Air
Station in Hawaiʻi. After two years of
anticipation and preparation, Alan and his and crew are pleased to bring his
uniquely “local style” two-part performance to Oahu for the very first time
during the Kaneohe Bay Airshow in 2012.
Jacquie B
When most people turn 50, they figure it’s time to relax and
settle into neutral while coasting toward retirement. Not Jacquie B! When Jacquie turned 50, she launched her solo
aerobatic career with her one-of-a-kind Pitts Special biplane. Nearly ten years later, Jacquie B is still in
this game, and her list of performance dates is growing. Moreover, Jacquie is a
powerful inspiration to her two million fans who realize that they, too, can
accomplish great things later in life.
Leap Frogs
The U.S. Navy Parachute Team, "Leap Frogs" will be
free falling out of an aircraft 12,500 feet from the ground. When free falling, jumpers reach speeds of 180
miles per hour as their body straightens, similar to luge racers. Be on the
lookout for the following formations: downplanes, sideplanes, dragplanes,
diamonds, big stacks, tri-by-sides, and T formations.
The Flying Leathernecks
The Flying Leathernecks are a group of skydivers who share
the passion for jumping. Their 10,000-ft. jump will be a patriotic exhibit
including a large American flag, smoke trailers and starburst effects.
Flash Fire Jet Truck
Check out the action as the fire-breathing Flash Fire Jet
Truck hits the runway in competition with planes overhead. Will it be wings or
wheels that finish first? This act is sure to be a crowd pleaser for all ages,
mixing all the fun and entertaining elements of a family friendly circus with a
combination of extreme speed and high intensity, fire breathing excitement!
Action on the ground:
Marine Air-Ground Task Force Demonstration
Military Static Displays - Military vehicles and iarcraft
Taste of Oahu Food Booths
Xtreme Fun Children's Carnival Rides
At ALL entry points to the air show flight line, ALL bags
will be quickly inspected, and all individuals are subject to search prior to
entering the air show flight line.
Please note that large bags and/or backpacks, ice chests and
coolers will not be permitted. Small bags, such as purses, fanny packs, and
diaper bags (8 1/2 x 11) will be permitted. It is recommended that spectators
minimize the number and size of permitted items to reduce the inspection time
prior to access into the flight line area.
There will be two entrance lines at each gate. One will be
for people carrying bags, or other items to be inspected, and one for those
with no inspection items.
Images from the 2010 Airshow are posted in a folder of like
name in the Photos section on my Facebook page. (All rights reserved by MCCS
Hawaii.)
http://www.facebook.com/peter.t.young.hawaii
© 2012 Hoʻokuleana LLC
http://www.facebook.com/peter.t.young.hawaii
© 2012 Hoʻokuleana LLC
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