Branson Airshow

Performers
Display Aircraft

	U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" Representing the ultimate in skill, precision and American air power in the jet age, the Thunderbirds fly together, yet stand alone. Since their inaugural flight in 1953, the aircraft have evolved. Crewmembers have come and gone. But the Thunderbirds' focus remains the same: precise flying with an emphasis on excellence. From the first red, white and blue F-84G to the awesome power and unmatched performance of today's F-16C, the Thunderbirds continue to showcase America's frontline fighters and demonstrate the skill of every U.S. Air Force fighter pilot.
	US Army Golden Knights In 1959 13 men joined together to form the Strategic Army Corps Sport Parachute Team, to compete in the then communist dominated sport of skydiving. In 1961 the Army officially recognized, designated and activated the team as the U.S. Army Parachute Team. The "Golden Knights" have been wowing audiences at air shows, competitions and most recently, with high profile tandems, earning them the title of the "Army's Goodwill Ambassadors to the World." This year the "Golden Knights" are celebrating their 50th anniversary.
	A-10 East Demonstration Team Showing off the extreme capabilities of the A-10 Thunderbolt II through exceptional aerial maneuvers is the A-10 Demonstration Team. Through their performance, they also demonstrate the professional competence of the U.S. Air Force, as well as promote recruiting and community relations. The team contains six dedicated professionals who deliver an exceptional performance. The aircraft they fly is the A-10 Thunderbolt II, one of the first aircrafts specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.
	F-18 Hornet F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. Designed in the 1970s for service with the United States Navy and Marine Corps, the Hornet is also used by the air forces of several other nations. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels since 1986. Its primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance.
	CF-18 Hornet A versatile, world-class fighter aircraft, the supersonic CF-18 Hornet can engage both ground and aerial targets. Its twin engines generate enough thrust to lift 24 full-size pick-up trucks off the ground. As the Canadian Air Force’s frontline multi-role fighter, the CF-18 is used for air defence, air superiority, tactical support, training, aerobatic demonstration, and aerospace testing and evaluation. The theme of the 2009 CF-18 Demo is the Centennial of Flight in Canada. This celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first powered flight in Canada conducted in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, on the 23rd of February 1909.
	Howard Pardue (BearCat) & F18 Legacy Flight The United States Navy Legacy Flight program was established in 1999. It involves today's state-of-the-art fighters flying in close formation with World War II, Korean War and Vietnam vintage Navy and Marine Corps fighters such as the F6F Hellcat and the North American Fury. Its mission is to safely and proudly display the evolution of United States Naval airpower and to support the Navy and Marine Corps’ recruiting and retention efforts. The services have determined that having fly-bys at air shows with vintage naval warbirds and F-18 aircraft enhances their recruiting efforts.
	Howard Pardue Howard Pardue is the owner and operator of this beautifully restored rare Grumman XF8F-1 Bearcat, which is one the first two prototypes ordered by the US Navy in November, 1943. Many features of the Bearcat's design were inspired by a captured Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter that had been handed over to the Grumman facilities. The Bearcat's primary missions were to outperform highly maneuverable late-model Japanese fighter aircraft.
	John Klatt, Air National Guard John Klatt air shows will give those in attendance 10 minutes of high energy, hard core, unlimited aerobatics in the Staudacher S-300. John Klatt has 21 years of aviation experience. 16 of those years he served as Major John Klatt in the Air National Guard where he flew the C-13-turboprop transport and the F-16 Fighting Flacon in air support and combat roles. John also maintains the role of the first officer with a major US commercial airline.
	Aeroshell Aerobatic Team The AeroShell Aerobatic Team is one of aviation’s finest four-plane precision formation aerobatic teams. The team takes to the skies in four World War II North American Advanced Trainer-6 (AT-6) aircraft, equipped with powerful, 2,400 horsepower Pratt and Whitney engines. The AeroShell Team has been performing at air shows since 1985, delighting audiences everywhere with its daring maneuvers and graceful loops and rolls.
	Patty Wagstaff As a six-time member of the Olympic-level U.S. Aerobatic Team and the first female to win the title of National Aerobatic Champion, Patty Wagstaff really knows how to put her Cirrus Extra 300S through the paces – she flies upside down, inside, outside and performs precision maneuvers which include knife edge spins, torque rolls and inverted ribbon cut, upside down at twenty two feet above the ground.
	Manfred Radius Manfred’s act “The Ultimate” is considered to be one of the top acts in the air show industry. His sailplane performance is elegant, graceful and spectacular. This “quiet” act, accompanied by beautiful classical music offers a unique contrast to power plane performances. Spectators delight in the change of pace and variety this sailplane performance offers. While most of this act is graceful and elegant, it has a spectacular ending: the grand finale is the amazing inverted ribbon cut. Friday Only: Night Delight! Performed since 1990, this outstanding sailplane night act has proven to be extremely popular with audiences in North America and in Australia. This spectacular night performance features special effects on both wing tips and is accompanied by classical music.
	John Mohr John Mohr is one of the most talented, exciting pilots on the air show circuit today. His extremely difficult maneuvers are performed in a beautifully restored 1943 Stock 220 Stearman biplane.
	Rob Holland Ultimate Air shows Rob Holland has never known a time where he was not completely obsessed with Aviation and Aerobatics. His air show performance is comprised of high-intensity, bone crushing, Rock n' Roll style aerobatics that push the limit of both pilot and machine. Reaching speeds from less than zero (the plane is, in effect, flying backwards) to over 300 mph, Rob maneuvers and tumbles the plane through the sky and down on the deck demonstrating unbelievable precision and control. Priding himself on safety first, Rob delivers a consistent, dynamic and mesmerizing routine sure to leave you wondering, "How did he do that?”
	Stewart Dawson Stewart Dawson’s Hawker Fury FB.11 flies regularly at air shows throughout Western and Central USA. Dawson’s Hawker Fury is one of the fastest piston engine aircraft ever built.
	Kyle Franklin Kyle Franklin (28) is one of the youngest air show professionals in the air show industry and has been performing for more than 10 years. He is the only son of legendary air show pilot Jimmy Franklin. His acts include the famous Wingtip Draggin Comedy, Motorcycle to Airplane Transfer and Waco Solo Aerobatics. Kyle also performs with Matt Younkin, son of an air show legend Bobby Younkin, in a routine that brings audiences a taste of the aviation that they were privileged to experience growing up.
	Matt Younkin Matt Younkin (26) is a third generation pilot, son of legendary air show pilot Bobby Younkin. His acts include the Twin Beech 18, Travel Air “Mystery Ship” and Super Decathlon. Matt keeps the Younkin Air Shows tradition by performing unique aerobatics in precision aircraft. Matt also performs with Kyle Franklin, son of an air show legend Jimmy Franklin, in a routine that brings audiences a taste of the aviation that they were privileged to experience growing up.
	Iron Eagles The Iron Eagles are one of the most dynamic teams flying in air shows today. These two men have combined their piloting skills into the most challenging and closest formation teams in the world. From their crossfire takeoff, to the switchblade hammerhead and the close head-on maneuvers, missing just feet apart, their action-packed performance keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
	Steve and Suzanne Oliver Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver are recognized as the only husband-and-wife professional aerobatic and skywriting team. Together they wow audiences with classic aerobatic shows, nighttime pyrobatics performances and Suzanne’s professional skywriting abilities.
	Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes are two of the most recognizable acts on the air show circuit today. Together since 1988, Teresa astounds audiences as one of the most experienced wingwalkers in the industry and Gene Soucy – or “Mr. Airshow”, as he’s nicknamed – is a world champion aerobat with more awards than any active air show pilot.
	Greg Koontz 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.
	Rich's Incredible Pyro Rich's Incredible Pyro has added an "explosive" dimension to modern military and World War II simulated attacks at airshows throughout the United States and in fact the world. This husband and wife team, along with their very experienced crew, create the "booms" and "fireballs" you will see, hear, and even feel at airshows and special events.
	AirSupport AIRCOMMAND I™ is a state of the art mobile air show support system. Its groundbreaking concept and design offers a degree of operational efficiency and safety unmatched in the air show industry. AIRCOMMAND I™ was designed and built in cooperation with a nationally respected technological institute and is fully networked and satellite capable.
	Virtual Army Experience The Virtual Army Experience (VAE) provides participants with a virtual test drive of the United States Army. The core of the 9,750-square-foot VAE is the America’s Army computer game, rendered with state-of-the-art Army training simulation technology to create a life-size, networked virtual world. The VAE highlights key Soldier occupations, Army technologies, operating environments and missions, within a fast-paced, action-packed, information-rich experience that immerses visitors in the world of Soldiering. Participants employ teamwork, rules of engagement, leadership and high-tech equipment as they take part in a virtual U.S. Army mission.