EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Aircraft

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is the US Navy’s carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The Growler is the world’s most advanced Airborne Electronic Attack platform and the only one in production today. Its primary mission is focused on disrupting, deceiving or denying a broad range of military electronic systems including radar and communication systems.

For more specific details:

https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/ea-18g-growler/

The aircraft will be flown by LT Kurt “Pins” Garman and LT Rebecca “Frau” Nortz, both from Electronic Attack Squadron One Two Nine (VAQ-129).

Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ-129) is the United States Navy’s only EA-18G Growler training squadron. Known as the Vikings, they are a Fleet Replacement Squadron, or FRS, and are charged with training all EA-18G aviators and developing standard operating procedures for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft. The squadron is permanently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, in Oak Harbor, Washington.

Renny Price with Hammer Head Aerobatics

Renny Price of Tualatin Oregon

A former airline Captain in both Airbus and Boeing aircraft, Renny has amassed 23500 hours total flight time. He is rated ad an Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Engineer, Multi-Engine Instrument, Flight Instructor and is currently flying private corporate jets. He is also an FAA check pilot and is married with four children.

His first flight was in the summer of 1969 at Aurora State Airport. Renny and the Sukhoi are based at the Aurora state airport in Aurora Oregon. When Renny is not flying he spends his time fishing, hunting, playing the guitar and of course talking, teaching and learning about flying aerobatics.
The Sukhoi SU-29 was built in Moscow Russia in 1995 and is considered to be the very best two place unlimited competition aircraft in the world today. It boasts a 360 HP, 9 cylinder radial engine that starts with compressed air.

Wingspan 27 FT, Length 24 FT
Empty weight 1738 pounds (Less than a fully loaded Cessna 150) With pilot and fuel for a show flight, 2028 pounds. Roll rate is 360 Degrees per second.

http://www.hammerheadaerobatics.com/

Vicky Benzing with Vicky Benzing Aerosports

Born and raised in California, Vicky Benzing is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, aerobatic performer, and air racer. With OVER 8000 hours of flight time and over 1200 parachute jumps, Vicky has a passion for everything airborne. Her flying career has spanned more than thirty years and she currently holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.

Vicky still remembers her first flight in her uncle’s small airplane when she was just a small child. Inspired by that flight at a very young age, Vicky learned to fly in a family friend’s antique Taylorcraft in her hometown of Watsonville, on the California coast. She was thrilled by the spins, loops, and rolls that her ex-military instructor taught her and subsequently took aerobatic instruction from legendary pilot Amelia Reid.

Vicky’s aerobatic flying took a brief back seat when she earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from UC Berkeley and began working in the Silicon Valley high tech industry. But her passion for spins, loops, and rolls soon returned when she took an aerobatic flight with air show legend, Wayne Handley.
In 2005, Vicky began her aerobatic training in earnest. She started competing in aerobatic contests throughout the US, working her way up through the many categories. In between contests, Vicky also began performing in local air shows. Today Vicky holds a surface level aerobatic waiver and has flown over 200 air show performances at venues across the United States, including performing at the largest airshow in the world, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.In addition to aerobatics, Vicky got the racing bug when a friend invited her to “come play in my sandbox” at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV. That year, Vicky was chosen “Rookie of the Year” after winning her first race ever. She currently competes in both the Sport Class and the Jet Class, and in 2015 Vicky set a record as the “Fastest Woman Racer” ever in the history of the Reno Air Races when she qualified a one-of-a-kind L-139 jet on the race course at 469.831 mph. Vicky currently serves as an officer of both Sport Class Air Racing, Inc. and Racing Jets, Inc.

Adding to her flying resume, Vicky can be seen flying in the new movie “Mercury 13” which is currently airing on Netflix. “Mercury 13” is the story of the 13 women who trained to be astronauts during the Mercury 7 program. Vicky flies her beautiful 1940 Boeing Stearman as the stunt double for Wally Funk, one of the original Mercury 13 women who is featured in the film.

Vicky is sponsored by the California Aeronautical University a world-class aeronautical training center offering aviation-related degree programs to prepare students for exciting careers in aviation.
Vicky’s beautiful Stearman was manufactured in 1940 by the Boeing Aircraft Company for use as a military trainer in WWII.
In February of 1946, after the war ended, this airplane was sold from the War Assets Administration for $770.

The airplane’s new owner fitted it with a 450HP Pratt & Whitney R985 engine and converted it to a crop duster where it was used for spraying operations in California’s Sacramento Valley until 1973 when it was disassembled and stored in boxes in an old hangar.

In 1990, the airplane was taken out of storage and restored by Stadel Aircraft based in Yuba City California. It was converted back from a restricted category crop duster to a standard acrobatic category aircraft.
Vicky purchased the airplane in 1998 and she bases it at the Pine Mountain Lake Airport near Yosemite California. Vicky loves to fly the airplane at air shows demonstrating the grace and beauty of flight in this early trainer.

Except for the engine and a smoke system, Vicky’s Stearman remains as originally built 75 years ago.

Vicky’s Stearman has two ailerons instead of four ailerons like most Stearman that are flown in airshows. Hence it takes 2 hands on the stick and a lot of muscle for Vicky to roll it – and it rolls very slowwwwly. Vicky is fond of saying that “the top wing wants to go straight while the bottom wing wants to roll.”

Vicky’s Stearman also doesn’t have an inverted fuel system, so her engine WILL quit if Vicky holds the airplane upside down. Vicky has learned to keep positive g’s on her Stearman at all times, just as the WWII pilots would have done. Vicky considers herself lucky to be a steward of this timeless piece of history.

https://www.vickybenzing.com/press-kit.html

F4-U Corsair from Erickson Aircraft Museum

Vought F4U-7 Corsair

Serving mainly in World War II in the Pacific Theater, the F4U Corsair was the finest carrier-based fighter deployed by any navy and became a fast, versatile and deadly performer and perhaps the best of any U.S. fighter in that conflict. Together with the F6F Hellcat, the Corsair was responsible for the destruction of 7,295 enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat and, in downing enemy planes, it achieved a “kill-to-loss” ratio of 11 to one, the highest for any fighter plane of World War II. The Corsair first flew in May 1940 and at 440 mph, it was one of the fastest fighters of the war with a longer range than any of its counterparts in the Japanese fleet, a distinct advantage in the vast Pacific Ocean where it was most active.

The most instantly recognizable feature of the Corsair was its inverted “gull wing” which accomplished two purposes: (1) it permitted a shorter landing gear while still allowing a 13-foot propeller, the biggest fitted to a fighter at the time, to clear the ground, and (2) provided aerodynamic benefits for greater streamlining. Because of the distinctive sound made by air passing through the engine’s cooling ducts, the Japanese nicknamed it “Whistling Death.” Much of the Corsair’s long nose was occupied by a single self-sealing fuel tank holding 237 gallons. This feature, together with a cockpit that was set well back along the fuselage in early models caused visibility ahead and down to be poor and contributed to the aircraft’s initial carrier landing problems and was corrected in later variants.

It was not until 1944 when flatter carrier landing techniques were perfected that F4Us were used aboard U.S. Navy carriers in greater numbers, mainly in response to the growing Kamikaze attacks in the Pacific. Before production ended in 1952, the longest production runs for a U.S. fighter, a total of 12,571 Corsairs were built.

SPECIFIC HISTORY

The museum’s Corsair is an F4U-7, one of the rarest surviving variants from the last of 94 built in 1952 exclusively for use by the French Navy. It saw combat in the Indo-China War in 1953-54, the Suez Canal War in 1956 and later in the Algerian War. Taken from combat service in 1963, it was flown to England where reconstruction began in 1974 to include rebuilding extensive damage forward of the firewall and repairs to three bullet holes in the fuselage. Restored to its original French markings with invasion stripes which it sported in the Suez War, it was repainted to the Marines’ colors after its acquisition by the museum in 1994 and recently painted in memory of Jesse Brown, Naval Aviator, the first African-American killed in the Korean War.

http://www.ericksoncollection.com/aircraft#/chance-vought-f4u-7-corsair/

P-40 Kitty Hawk from Erickson Aircraft Museum

The Curtiss P-40 was a development of the radial engined P-36/Hawk 75. The prototype XP-40 was a converted P-36A with the R-1830 replaced with an Allison V-1710-19 liquid cooled V-12. First flown in October 1938, the P-40 was evaluated at Wright Field in May 1939 resulting in an order for 524 aircraft.

Early P-40s were equipped with 2x .50 and 4x.30 caliber machine guns with the .50s mounted above the engine. With the P-40D the engine mounted guns were removed and later P-40s standardized on 6x .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings.

Although the P-40 was best known for using the Allison V-1710, the P-40F and P-40L were powered by the Packard V-1650-1 Merlin. The V-1650-1 had a single stage supercharger so it did not have the altitude performance of the P-51 fitted the later V-1650 with a two-stage supercharger.
Over 13,700 P-40s had been built by the time production ended in December 1944. Although the P-40 did not have the best performance of its contemporaries, it did have a reputation as a rugged aircraft and it was available when needed.

The P-40 is most famous as the aircraft of General Claire Chennault’s American Volunteer Group – the Flying Tigers. Their P-40Bs defended China against the Japanese. P-40s also serviced in the Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe and defended North America in the Aleutians. The P-40 was operated by England, France, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and Turkey as well as the United States.

This aircraft was purchased directly from Curtiss by the British Purchasing Commission (i.e. it was not a Lease-Lend aircraft with a USAAC serial). It was delivered to the RAF on 6 November 1941 as AK940. It was allocated to the Royal Canadian Air Force and served with 111 Squadron. It was renumbered to 1058 later in the war and finally struck off charge on 16 August 1946. The aircraft also flew with 133 Squadron, was coded X and was based at Tofino, British Columbia and Sea Island, BC.

This P-40E has undergone a 21-month restoration. Originally restored in the early 1980’s it was badly damaged in a forced landing in 1996. Stored for some time, it was initially purchased by Dick Thurman and subsequently sold to Tony Banta. The restoration began in June 2000 and it flew again on the 24th March 2002. The aircraft has made its debut at the ‘Warbirds Over Wanaka’ 2002 airshow.

The aircraft was another that was restored as a joint venture between Pioneer Aero Restorations and Avspecs, using Pioneer’s large selection of tooling.
Erickson Aircraft Collection acquired the aircraft in April 2017.

http://www.ericksoncollection.com/aircraft#/p40-kittyhawk/

Will Allen with Will Allen Airshows

Get ready for a different kind of performance as Will Allen, the “Rock n Roll Airshow Man”, puts on a show that is a combination aerial display and rock concert! Using state of the art broadcasting equipment, Will is able to sing and announce live from the airplane in a way never done before.

Rock n Roll Pits with smoke

Flying to his custom-written soundtrack, he sings and interacts with the crowd, giving the feel of a lead singer getting the fans on their feet at a concert. The music was arranged and recorded in Will’s home recording studio with the help of his many professional musician friends- even including a full horn section, which gives the rock music energy and power that compliments the maneuvers of the Rock n Roll Pitts. Our team on the ground, controlling our specialized equipment, adapts music cues dynamically, taking real-time direction from Will, which makes the music sound like a live band. Audience members will want to be up front and by the speakers for this show so they can get up and cheer when the Rock n Roll crew launch T-shirts into the crowd!

Well, he started flying when he was 19- a skill he was destined to acquire as he was born in Alaska and was surrounded by relatives who owned and flew planes. As he followed his aviation passion, he added more ratings and qualifications until he found his way to the aerobatic world. Rock n Roll Pitts and pilot starting with a successful experience competing in aerobatic contests with a Decathlon, he ventured into instructing spin recovery and aerobatics, and then progressed to performing airshows in the very same Decathlon. Will eventually found himself in a position to upgrade to the Pitts bi-plane, something he would never have thought possible when he was younger. Through hard work and dedication (and the many sacrifices made by his wife!) he has managed to sustain competing in the Advanced category, teaching, and flying airshows, bringing his love of flying to all sorts of audiences. Adding music, his other great passion, to the mix brings a whole new dimension to his airshow performance – he writes, arranges and records his songs in his own home-based recording studio.

Home

Dan Vance – p-51 “Speedball Alice”

Dan is a third-generation pilot whose father and grandfather flew for commercial airlines. He grew up around airplanes and remembers wanting to be a pilot by the time he was eight years old. His first flying job, over 20 years ago, was as a flight instructor for AeroSchellville. “Schellville was my style. We flew Stearmans and other taildraggers on gravel runways.”
Dan has an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate with 8,500 hours of flight time, 4,000 of them in classic aircraft. He owns a North American P-51D Mustang and a North American SNJ-5. Though he flies Boeing 787’s for a major commercial airline, antique aircraft have always held a special attraction. “They represent an interesting era and are well made. In many ways, they’re more demanding to fly than the bigger jets where you spend many hours on autopilot. Antique aircraft are just fun to fly.”

Dan Vance is the owner and operator of this beautiful North American P-51D Mustang “Speedball Alice”, which is available for airshows, flybys, film and also for a 10-15 minute warbird aerobatic airshow routine. “Speedball Alice” is also a regular unlimited racer at the Reno National Championship Air Races.

The P-51 was designed and built by North American Aviation after the British government approached them to build P-40 Warhawks under license. North American believed they could design a better fighter, and the British government gave them 120 days to prove it. 102 days after the order was placed, the first Mustang was completed, flying for the first time on October 26, 1940. The prototype and subsequent P-51A utilized the Allison V-1710 liquid cooled engine. Lacking an effective engine supercharger, the Allison provided insufficient power for the high-altitude environment the P-51 was designed to operate in. By replacing the Allison engine with a Rolls-Royce V-1650 Merlin engine that had a two-stage supercharger, the necessary power and performance were gained. The Merlin engine, which was built in the U.S. under license by the Packard Motor Car Company, was installed in all further P-51 models from the “B” through the “H” versions.

http://www.northbayairmuseum.org/NBAM/Dan_Vance.html

F-16CM Fighting Falcon

Mission
Primary weapons system of the 20th Fighter Wing, the Lockheed-Martin F-16CM Fighting Falcon Block 50 model is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in more than 30 years of operations including air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and 25 friendly nations.

Only four USAF units operate the CM: 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. (three squadrons); 169th Fighter Wing, Joint National Guard Base McEntire, S.C. (one squadron); 52nd Fighter Wing, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany (one squadron); and 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa AB, Japan (two squadrons).

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) until recently have exceeded that of all potential adversary 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 lightweight 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 enhanced global positioning and inertial navigation systems, or EGI, in which computers provide 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 unit was delivered in January 1979 to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

The F-16B and D, two-seat versions, have tandem cockpits that are about the same size as the one in the A model. The bubble canopy is lengthened 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 D aircraft, which are the single- and two-place replacements to the F-16A/B, and have the latest cockpit control and display technology. At this writing no active, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units still operate the F-16A/B.

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 Dallas, 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 improves 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, opposition aircraft, and facilities.

(From Lockheed-Martin “Code 1” magazine, August 2015)
F-16 BLOCK 50/52 “WILD WEASEL Plus”
The first Block 50/52 was delivered to the US Air Force in 1991 and reached initial operational status in 1994. The Block 50/52 F-16 is recognized for its ability to carry the AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile in the suppression of enemy air defenses, or SEAD, missions. The F-16 can carry as many as four HARMs.

An avionics launcher interface computer allows the F-16 to launch the HARM missile. US Air Force F-16s have been upgraded to carry the HARM Targeting System, or HTS, the pod on the left intake hard point so it can be combined with laser targeting pods designed to fit on the right intake hard point. The HTS pod contains a hypersensitive receiver that detects, classifies, and ranges threats and passes the information to the HARM and to the cockpit displays. With the targeting system, the F-16 has full autonomous HARM capability.

The Block 50/52 F-16 continued to be improved, and the current aircraft sold to the Foreign Military Sales customers are equipped with the APG-68(V9) radar, which offers longer-range detection against air targets and higher reliability. The Block 50/52 now includes embedded global positioning system/inertial navigation system, a larger capacity data transfer cartridge, a digital terrain system data transfer cartridge, a cockpit compatible with night vision systems, an improved data modem, an AL-56M advanced radar warning receiver, an ALE-47 threat-adaptive countermeasure system, satellite communication system and an advanced interrogator for identifying friendly aircraft.

ln the cockpit, an upgraded programmable display generator has four times the memory and seven times the processor speed of the system it replaces. New antennas increase reception ranges. Some CMs have satellite communication capability.

With a maximum gross takeoff weight around 39,000 pounds, the Block 50/52 is powered by increased performance engines: the General Electric F110-GE-129 and the Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229, each rated to deliver over 29,000 pounds of thrust in afterburner. Block 50/52 is the first F-16 versions to fully integrate the AGM-84 Harpoon anti-shipping missile.

New-production Block 50/52 aircraft ordered after 1996 include color multi¬function displays, the modular mission computer, and a multichannel video recorder. All international versions of the Block 50/52 have LANTiRN capability. More than 800 Block 50/52s have been delivered from production lines in Fort Worth, Korea, and Turkey. The Fort Worth production line is currently the only active F-16 line. The other production lines have completed their production runs and been shut down.

Cost new: Approximately $20 million ($30 million in 2014 dollars). (Source: Lockheed-Martin)

General Characteristics (F-16CM)

Primary Function: Suppression and/or destruction of enemy air defenses, air, and ground interdiction

Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Power Plant: One Pratt and Whitney F100-PW-200/220/229 or General Electric F110-GE-100/129

Thrust: 29,000 pounds

Wingspan: 32 feet, 8 inches (9.8 meters)

Length: 49 feet, 5 inches (14.8 meters)

Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters)

Weight: 19,700 pounds without fuel (8,936 kilograms)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 39,000 pounds (17,690 kilograms)

Payload: Two 2,000-pound bombs, two AIM-9, two AIM-120 and two 2400-pound external fuel tanks

Speed: 1,500 mph (Mach 2 at altitude)

Range: More than 2,002 miles ferry range (1,740 nautical miles)

Ceiling: Above 50,000 feet (15 kilometers)

Armament: One M-61A1 20mm multibarrel cannon with 500 rounds; external stations can carry up to six air-to-air missiles, targeting and visual acquisition pods, conventional air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and electronic countermeasure pods

Crew: F-16CM, one; F-16D, one or two
Initial operating capability: F-16C/D Block 50-52, 1994

Production: F-16CM, more than 800

United States Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier

Representing, arguably, the greatest breakthroughs in aircraft technology, the Harrier was the first VSTOL-capable (vertical/short takeoff and landing) jet in the Marine inventory, giving MAGTF commanders new flexibility on the battlefield. With the ability to attack anywhere, the Harrier forces the enemy to defend everywhere, exposing vulnerabilities the enemy must divert resources to protect.

22,000 pounds of thrust enable the Harrier II to hover like a helicopter, and then blast forward like a jet at near-supersonic speeds. Like every aircraft in the Marine fleet, this aircraft is used for multiple missions, which include attacking and destroying surface and air targets, escorting helicopters, engaging in air-to-air defense, providing reconnaissance and applying for offensive and defensive support with its arsenal of missiles, bombs, and an onboard 25mm cannon. Offering the versatility to conduct almost any mission, the Harrier II provides the ideal blend of firepower and mobility to effectively counter enemies engaged by our ground forces.

The EA-18G Growler is the most advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) platform and is the only one in production today. A variant of the combat-proven F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler provides tactical jamming and electronic protection to U.S. military forces and allies around the world. Industry and the U.S. Navy continue to invest in advanced Growler capabilities to ensure it continues to protect all strike aircraft during high-threat missions for decades to come.

The EA-18G Growler is the U.S. Navy replacement for the EA-6B Prowler. In June 2014, Boeing was awarded a contract for 12 Growlers to be acquired by the Royal Australian Air Force under a Foreign Military Sales agreement with the U.S. Navy. Australia is the first country to be offered this level of AEA technology by the United States, which will give the RAAF unmatched electronic awareness and attack capabilities. Australia is the first country ever to be offered this level of Airborne Electronic Attack technology by the United States.

• Provides critical electronic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) data to other joint force aircraft
• Brings fighter aircraft speed and maneuverability to an electronic attack aircraft
• The ability to self protect against adversarial aircraft using its AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles
• Enhanced radar image resolution, targeting and tracking range through its APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system
• Uninterrupted radio communications in a heavily jammed environment using its Interference Cancellation System
• Unequaled aircrew situational awareness and head-up control of aircraft targeting systems and sensors using its Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System
• The ability to locate, record, play back and digitally jam enemy communications over a broad frequency range using its ALQ-227 Communications Countermeasures Set
• Provides advanced survivability and electronic protection for ground, air and maritime combat forces
• High reliability and lower operating cost

The Juranich Brothers

The Juranich Brothers Aircraft Collection comprises one of Washington’s premier collections of painstakingly restored antique aircraft. Bob and Bill Juranich return all these airplanes to flying condition with some select, dedicated individuals. The collection consists of some really rare airplanes like the Command Aire and Taylor Cub, as well as the very Piper J-3 that Bob learned to fly in many years ago. Look for these planes on display: 1928 Eaglerock Biplane (under restoration), 1929 Command Aire. (Flying), 1930 Monocoupe Model 90 (Project), 1931 Waco INF (Flying), 1935 Taylor E-2 (under restoration), 1935 Piper J-2 (Project), 1946 Piper J-3 (Flying), 1946 Piper PA -12 (Flying), 1953 Cessna 195 (Flying), and a 1972 Stolp Starduster Too (Flying).

Renny Price

Hammerhead Aerobatics pilot Renny Price is a retired airline captain and has logged over 23,000 hours since his first flight in 1969. Renny holds FAA ratings of Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Engineer, Multi-engine instrument flight instructor, Aerobatic competency evaluator, and FAA safety counselor. When he is not performing airshows, he flies an Astra private jet.

World-class aerobatics are a spectacle, but almost nothing comes close to the performance of the Russian designed and built Sukhoi-29. The Sukhoi is considered to be the very best two place unlimited competition aircraft in the world today!

Renny and his SU-29 are based just south of Portland, Oregon at the Aurora State Airport! You will not want to miss this home state talent!

Smoke ‘n Thunder

One of the most riveting events at an Air Show is the moment Smoke-n-Thunder JetCar takes on a plane in a race to the finish line. Who is faster by land or air? Accelerating from zero to almost 400 mph in just nine seconds, Smoke-n-Thunder is the fastest JetCar in the Air Show Industry.

The JetCar pilot Bill Braack is a 20-year veteran of the Air Force Reserve. He know there is no room for error when handling a car that is equipped with a 12,000 horsepower engine. As a plane flies in low and fast, Braack selects full afterburner and overtakes the plane in just seconds.

Vicky Benzing

Born and raised in California, Vicky Benzing is an accomplished pilot, skydiver, aerobatic performer, and air racer. With more than 7500 hours of flight time and over 1200 parachute jumps, Vicky has a passion for everything airborne. Her flying career has spanned over thirty years and she currently holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating as well as commercial ratings in helicopters, seaplanes, and gliders.

Vicky still remembers her first flight in her uncle’s small airplane when she was just a small child. Inspired by that flight at a very young age, Vicky learned to fly in a family friend’s antique Taylorcraft in her hometown of Watsonville, on the California coast. She was thrilled by the spins, loops, and rolls that her ex-military instructor taught her and subsequently took aerobatic instruction from legendary pilot Amelia Reid.

In 2005, Vicky began her aerobatic training in earnest. She started competing in aerobatic contests throughout the US, working her way up through the many categories. In between contests, Vicky also began performing in local air shows. Today Vicky holds a surface level aerobatic waiver and has flown over 200 air show performances at venues across the US, including performing at the largest airshow in the world, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.

In addition to aerobatics, in 2010 Vicky got the racing bug when a friend invited her to “come play in my sandbox” at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, NV. In that initial race week Vicky was chosen “Rookie of the Year” after winning her first race ever. She currently competes in multiple race classes, both the Sport Class and the Jet Class, and in 2015 Vicky made history as the “Fastest Woman Racer” ever in the history of the Reno Air Races when she qualified a one-of-a-kind L-139 jet on the race course at 469.831 mph. Vicky is currently serves as an officer of both the Sport Class Air Racing Association and of Racing Jets, Inc. (Photo credit – Tyson Rininger)