Airventure – Page 37 – Scott Sky Smith Insurance

F-35, F-22, F-16 DEMO TEAMS

Posted on April 1, 2020 by Scott Smith

F-35, F-22, F-16 DEMO TEAMS BRING SPEED AND POWER TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2020 AIR SHOW SCHEDULE

Current military aircraft to fly solo performances plus memorable Heritage Flights

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 31, 2020) — Current military fighter jets are among the most popular draws every year during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air shows, and the 2020 schedule lives up that reputation with demo teams with three of the top fighters in the U.S. military fleet. This year’s Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention features demo teams flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II throughout the week.

The 68th EAA fly-in convention, the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“As we continue to plan for a full AirVenture event this summer, EAA members and other attendees overwhelmingly tell us that they love to see the speed and power of modern military aircraft on display,” said Dennis Dunbar, director of AirVenture air show operations. “The pilots of these aircraft love flying at Oshkosh as well, as they know they are performing in front of one of the most knowledgeable and appreciative air show audiences they’ll find anywhere.”

The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will fly its own performances and participate as part of the Air Force Heritage Flight program, which matches current military aircraft with legendary warbirds from previous eras such as World War II. It comes to Oshkosh from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team demonstrates the abilities of the Lockheed Martin F-22, which was introduced by the Air Force in 1997 and is one of the premier air superiority fighter jets in the world. The demo team’s headquarters is at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will also fly both solo and Heritage Flight performances with Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe piloting. Capt. Wolfe is the Air Force first female F-35A Demo Team pilot and commander. It is based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

Exact dates and times of each demo team performance will be announced as they are finalized for AirVenture week, which features nine air shows over seven days, including two night air shows.

Coronavirus and Flying

Posted on March 16, 2020 by Scott Smith

Coronavirus and flying your own aircraft.

Coronavirus and flying. If you haven’t heard, Coronavirus is causing a few issues with aviation events, like Sun ‘n Fun (go to their website to get the details), which have been postponed or cancelled.

And of course, there are non-aviation events around the world that are being closed, postponed or cancelled. It appears that traveling on airlines and crowds are two of the big issues. Most of the “news” right now is about Coronavirus and flying on the airlines. The risks associated with large terminals with hundreds or thousands of people in close proximity.

While that is a problem for the majority of the public, there is more to aviation than just the airlines. Which brings up how important personal aviation is now! General aviation is a great way to fill in the gaps of travel.

Sure, we all need to practice safe behaviors and “social distancing” to protect ourselves and others. Which is why flying your own aircraft is a way to actually keep you away from the crowds. For example, you only fly with known passengers and crew instead of people you have never met. It really gives a pilot a lot more control in this situation.

Just think, no more long security lines, mingling with hundreds or even thousands of other people, waiting to get on a commercial flight.

Remember, small local airports have fewer people and easier access. Think about it, you can usually go through the gate to your airplane and fly out without much, if any, personal contact. Yes, walking through the FBO there may be people, but its a lot fewer than at the commercial terminals.

Even in a time when the rest of the media would have us stay isolated and locked inside our homes, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to sneak out to the airport, stay away from crowds and go fly around the pattern, maybe make a few landings, just to relax and clear your head. Oh and don’t forget to wash your hands.

Airshow season is starting!

Posted on March 3, 2020 by Scott Smith

Airshow Season – Sun N Fun and AirVenture

Airshow season is my a favorite time of year. I use Sun N Fun as my kick off show usually. It is like they say, the “Spring break for pilots”. And i usually write about attending events like Sun N Fun and AirVenture for the Cessna Owners and Piper Owners Magazines. So if you want more details join those two groups and you can get access to the articles. I have also put up a short video here about Airshows.

Anyway, I usually see four major issues which I have noted below (which were in the Cessna and Piper article! These are my opinion only, that I have formed from years of attending airshows and insurance.

Airshow-itus – Getting all excited and making high performance take offs and landing or a fly-by that end up in a mishap. There is something about being at an airshow or a fly-in that gets to a pilot and make them want to impress others. I do believe that being a pilot is a great achievement. Its also a great experience and it is also a huge ego boost. But remember the line from Top Gun, “Your egos writing checks your body can’t cash”, its amazing how many people try to “cash” at an airshow.

Volunteerisms – most events, shows, fly-ins are manned by volunteers. Volunteers make the shows go around. And they are trying to do their best even if they don’t quite no what they are doing. But watch out when they are directing you to park, you are still the pilot and need to have the final decision. Many a pilot has followed the direction of the vested flag bearing volunteer and needed up with a collapsed nose gear or prop strike. They directed, you pay.

Weather – is one of those things that change and at a show like Sun N Fun it can be nice this morning and storming this afternoon, just like AirVenture. Be prepared for weather changes. That includes tie downs and control locks. And if you are tenting… well, maybe you can sleep in the plane?

General population – The regulars, the muggles, whatever people call the “non-pilots”. I know that kind of sounds bad. But one thing about big airshows, especially if the show has a military team (Blue Angles, Thunderbird’s etc.) they draw big crowds. And not all those people are pilots or owners. Many are just aviation enthusiast that like watching “Top Gun” movies and dog fighting on their simulators. That’s okay, a show needs to make money and pilots are small numbers compared to the general public. What that does mean is a lot of the attendees are people that do not know about airplanes and what’s acceptable behavior around aircraft. So watch out for people walking into props, bumping heads on flaps or putting kids on wings. Be alert to those around you!

I also put together a few Airshow season tips that I have heard from customers, friends and my own experiences.

Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly (but you can always buy stuff if needed)
Look at the events website and see what’s happened in past years and talk to past attendees about what to expect
Make sure you have tie downs appropriate for the event and the size of your aircraft
Check your aviation insurance and make sure it has the appropriate coverage use of your plane at the event. If you need additional insureds and a Certificate of Insurance start early. Don’t wait until the last minute and not get a chance to display your airplane
Know the navigation, TFR’s and of course the arrival and departure procedures
Need a rental car? Reserve ahead.
Make sure you have more than one credit card and extra cash. One thing about airshows, they always cost money. One of the first things in my pre-flight is checking my wallet for credit cards and licenses.
If you plan on shopping for aircraft supplies for the year, make sure your weight and balance will handle the return trip. But, don’t worry, you can always send your passengers home on the airlines if needed.

Don’t forget to look me up at Sun N Fun

And AirVenture

« Previous Page