air show performers

there’s something in the air

This year, the Air Races will have fabulous performers to entertain you - the air show performances that occur between races mean there's something in the air at any time of day.

Detailed daily air show and racing schedules usually become available on this Web site in August.

This year's air show features the Canadian Forces "Snowbirds". The Snowbirds fly the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, a Canadian-designed and built jet used a basic pilot training aircraft until 2000. The Tutor weighs approximately 7170 lbs [3260 kg] and is powered by a J-85 engine producing 2,700 pounds of thrust. Top speed of the aircraft, with smoke tanks attached, is about 470 mph [750 km/h].The Snowbirds have flown the CT-114 Tutor jet since 1971.

The Snowbirds come with a 9-aircraft show team, and perform maneuvers with 9-, 7-, and 5-plane formations, as well as dual-aircraft opposing and single-ship solo maneuvers.

Michael Goulian

Michael Goulian is one of only a few sport aviators who are popular on a global scale. An edgy, aggressive, and "all out" style of flying, have become Michael’s signature, and it amazes fans across the globe. On most weekends from April through November, Michael can be seen flying a mesmerizing and intense, high performance solo aerobatic display accompanied by a high-tech choreographed music system that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats.

In the airshow world, Michael has been awarded both the Art Scholl (2006) and Bill Barber (2009) Awards for Airshow Showmanship. The recipient of these awards reads like a who's who in the airshow world over the last two decades so Michael feels very honored to be included with the "greats".

David Martin

David Martin's interest in flying began at a very early age - he grew up in an aviation family where both his father and grandfather were airline pilots. David started flying with this father in the family's Bonanza at age 12. His first aerobatics were in a 1941 Fleet biplane belonging to his grandfather, a barnstormer in the 1930s who insisted that David learn aerobatics. He soloed in his 1971 Cessna Aerobat at age 14 and continued flying throughout high school, often flying the 25 miles to attend school. As a high school graduation present, his parents gave David an aerobatic course with Duane Cole. This was when he set his goal to become Aerobatic World Champion.

After graduating from Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a degree in aviation, David flew corporate jets for several years until he joined the Texas Air National Guard. Continuing with his quest for excellence, David graduated from Air Force Pilot Training, F-4 training and F-16 training at the top of his classes.

David started to seriously pursue competition aerobatics in 1994 upon purchasing an Extra 300S. After earning a place on the United States Aerobatic Team in 1997, he has attended four World Aerobatic Championships winning an individual gold medal and 3 team bronze medals. In 2001, David won the United States National Championships.

Kent Pietsch

Kent Pietsch flies a number of different routines in his 1942 Interstate Cadet, including a power-off "dead stick" aerobatic routine that starts from an altitude of 6,000 feet and ends with Kent landing at show center and parking the aircraft's nose against the outstretched hand of Denny Clisham, one of the airshow announcers.

Kent also lands the Cadet on top of his recreational vehicle as it is driven down the show line - not easy since he cannot even see the RV over the nose of his aircraft during the final approach!

Last but not least is his outstanding comedic aerobatic act, featuring almost unbelievable maneuvers even after the loss of various parts of the aircraft.

USO "Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Car" - Bill Braack

The "Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Car", is driven by Bill Braack and sponsored by the USO. The vehicle is powered by a Westinghouse J34-48 jet aircraft engine from a North American T-2 Buckeye. It has a shell made of aluminum and magnesium on a chrome-moly chassis with a 20-foot [6.1 m] wheelbase, and weighs 2,300 pounds [1043 kg], and burns about 40 gallons [151.3 L] of diesel fuel in a 10-minute performance.

The Jet Car can go from a dead stop to over three hundred fifty miles per hour [482 km/hr] in 7 seconds. It accelerates at 4.5 G and decelerates using parachutes at up to 11 G.

Greg Poe

Greg started his flying career at an early age and earned his pilots license while still a teenager, flying a variety of tail wheel type aircraft out of back country airstrips in his native Idaho. His flight instructor introduced him to aerobatics early on and it quickly turned into a passion that continues to this day. After earning commercial and instrument ratings, Greg became a flight instructor and has specialized in tail wheel training and aerobatics, and has earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable advanced spin instructors in the country.

Greg's love of aerobatics led him to enter competitions around the country, which enhanced his skills and understanding of high performance aircraft and eventually led to his first airshow performance in 1992. Shortly after, he became a full time airshow pilot and a main stay on the circuit, performing at 15 to 20 airshow events each year. His flying career has been a varied one: from towing gliders and aerial banner advertisements to float plane flying, and Greg considers himself one of the fortunate few who have been granted the privilege of a life in the air! Greg placed 2nd in the World Free Style Sport Flying Championships in 1999, and 3rd in the World Aerobatic Federation contest in 2000.

This year, Greg is flying the Fagen MX-2, an American-built all-composite aircraft which features a four-camera video system, and the world’s first "exposed carbon composite" paint scheme.

The power train includes a 385 horsepower Lycoming IO-540 highly modified by Lycon Performance Engines, connected to a Hartzell 3-blade composite prop.

The MX-2 weights 1350 lbs, has a stall speed of 69 MPH, a 420 degree/second roll rate, 275 MPH top speed, and is stressed for +/-16 Gs.

other air show performers

Additional performers will appear here once their participation is confirmed.