2009 Performers
Click to EnlargeDoug Jardine
In 2005, Doug began his career in Airshows. In 2006, he performed in 17 different airshows earning his surface level waiver. Doug performed at 17 airshows in 2007, including shows in California, Oklahoma, and Oregon as well as a full time unlimited competition schedule. In 2008 Doug performed at 10 different airshows as well as competing in regional, National and international competitions in 3 different aerobatic airplanes. The Sukhoi 26mx in 2 regional competitions in California finishing first in the 4 minute freestyle. The Sukhoi 31 in the European aerobatic championships in the Czech Republic finishing 12th out of a field of 55 in the Unknown flight. Doug was asked to ferry the new Sbach 300 to Oshkosh and then demo the airplane in the regional Delano California competition winning the 4 minute free and at the US national championships where he won the B.F. Goodrich trophy for the second time with minimal aerobatic training in the Sbach . Doug resides between Murrieta, California, Corvallis Oregon, and Canada with his wife Dana and his seven children. Doug owns and operates a successful framing company since 1982.
Click to Enlarge Rob Harrison www.harrisonAirshows.com
The Tumbling Bear has been a marquee air show attraction since 1993 when he made the decision to embark on a new career after 28 years with the United States Forest Service, where he was responsible for the technical aspects of firefighting airplanes and helicopters. The rarely-seen tumbles and gyrations of his bright yellow Zlin 50LX are now his trademark in the sky. The maneuvers are best described as gyroscopic, created by the gyroscopic effect of the engine and propeller. An abrupt maneuver in one direction causes a force in a different direction. The plane isn’t actually flying; the combination of aerodynamic and gyroscopic forces is what causes the plane to turn and tumble as it does. None are more enthralled with his airborne acrobatics than the kids; in turn, their reactions seem to give Harrison the most enjoyment.
Click to Enlarge Hemet Model Masters
Demonstrating their aerobatic and high-speed talents, remote control pilots from the Hemet Model Masters will wow the crowd with several jets, an F-15 and the Scholl Bandit. Jeffery Szueber Jr., one of the Nations Top 10 remote control pilots from the Tournament of Champions, will be on hand with his freestyle maneuvers from his 40% aircraft. In addition to the aircraft in flight, a variety of military and private remote control aircraft will be on display.
Click To Enlarge Jon Melby www.JonMelby.com
Jon started flying at eight years old when he jumped off the roof of his two-story home into a pile of leaves. He dreamed of flying and went out and did it! When Jon was 12, he started competing as a freestyle skier, again flying without wings. After moving to Arizona, and just prior to his 16th birthday, he received his solo in a glider. After completing high school, Jon joined the Air Force and flew as an MC-130 Special Operations Loadmaster. At age 19, he bought an airplane and hired an instructor to teach him to fly it, receiving his pilot’s license in only three weeks! After years of owning several aircraft and flying upright, Jon decided to try flying upside down. In 1996, he partnered in a Pitts S2B Bi-Plane and started aerobatic training/competition.
Click to Enlarge Golden Stars Skydiving Team www.skydivegsst.org
Miles above the ground, 22 professional skydivers from the Golden Stars Parachute Team will exit an aircraft, deploy their parachutes and activate colorful smoke as they spiral down over the crowd with streamers, banners and last, but not least, the American Flag. This spectacular bomb-bursting show is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Click to EnlargeDr. Frank Donnelly (Dr. D.) www.drds-oldtime-aerobatics.com
Based at Cable Airport in Upland, California, Dr. Frank Donnelly (Dr. D.) and his 1946 T-Cart are bringing back old-time aerobatics to the air show circuit. With 40 successful shows and 100 actual performances in the last four years, Dr. D is a proven air show performer. He has a level one (ground level) waiver. Dr. D’s act is very different from the fast-paced, abrupt-maneuvering acts so common today. “The Taylorcraft flies slowly and gracefully, rather than doing the neck-wrenching tumbles of modern aerobatic airplanes,” he says. A retired psychology professor from Azusa Pacific University, Donnelly flies a 1946 Taylorcraft (N6588C) with a Swick conversion to improve aerobatic performance. The plane has shorter wings (clipped-wing conversion), one seat rather than two seats; larger control surfaces; 120-hp Lycoming engine rather than a 65-hp Continental; and experimental rather than standard category licensing.
Click to EnlargeMartin Kennedy www.kennedyairshow.com
A high performance aerobatic flight featuring one of the top aerobatic planes in the world: the Staudacher S600. The unique wing and brute power of this custom made unlimited class aerobatic plane allows Martin to fly amazing maneuvers linking tumbles, snaps, flat spins, and lomcovoks in a dynamic, hard hitting flight. The energy and the physicality of the plane and pilot are ideally matched, and present a unique performance of uninhibited flight and exploration of the extreme edge of flight.
Performances subject to change.