Bob Essell Airshows -- 6420 Pioneer Trail, Hiram, OH 44234 -- (330) 612-2561
Airshow News
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Airshow Traveler -- Airshow Traveler goes from coast to coast to bring you coverage of
the best air shows and the best aviation museums, as well as delving into warbird and squadron histories, and showcasing the most important aspect of aviation - the people.
Airshow Performers
Wingwalkers
Bob Essell: Bob stand out in the world of wingwalking as the only team using a monoplane, the only team offering evening wingwalking with lights and pyro.
Greg Shelton & Ashley Battles: "Greg purchased a beautiful 450 Stearman painted in the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue and enlisted the talents of Ashley to walk and ride the wings."
Gene Soucy & Teresa Stokes: Solo/Wingwalking/Fireflight – Ag Cat
Franklin's Flying Circus: Various acts available from "Sons of Legends" Kyle Franklin & Matt Younkin, including wing walking, motorcycle to plane transfer and wing-tip dragging comedy.
Third Strike: "...born from Carol Pilon’s dream of being a wing walker. Her latest venture has seen her form the very first Canadian based wing walking team of which she is the sole owner and operator."
Dave Dacy & Tony Kazian: "With second generation wingwalker Tony Kazian on the wing, and A.C.E. (Aerobatic Competency Evaluator) pilot Dave Dacy at the controls of the 450 h.p. Super Stearman, the excitement builds as they perform a series of low level aerobatics."
Aerobatic Performers
Greg Koontz Airshows - 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.
Comedy Routine: Flown in the 1946 Piper J-3 Cub, this act begins as Greg- farmer Clem Cleaver- climbs up on the announcer's stand, demanding a flight lesson. Later in the show, he "steals" the plane and takes off solo, with his whole crew chasing. Grandpa shoots off a tire to get him down, and Clem lands on his pickup truck as it races down the runway.
Dan Buchanan’s Flying Colors: Dan, a paraplegic, launches his hang glider from atop a moving vehicle at 35mph and is towed to 1200-1800' while narrating live. Dan fills the sky with bright colored smoke, shooting "special effects", 200' streamers, the flag and music. Spectacular after dark with his motorized hang glider, he sets it ablaze with dazzling "special effects", flashing lights, and stirring music.
Dave Benson Skydive International: World flag flying record holder; towed flags & banners, skydiving displays, and flag & banner manufacturing.
Manfred Radius: A top professional air show performer who ushered in a new era in sailplane demonstrations.
Military teams
Airshow Coordination & Support Services
AirBoss, Inc. Since 1968 George Cline has safely coordinated many diverse aerial operations and events. George is one of the industry's premier Airbosses and is an ICAS Academy Instructor who teaches Advanced Air & Ground Operations for Airshows.
David Schultz Airshows LLC Airshow & Aerial Event Coordination Worldwide - "Tops in Ops"
Wingwalking History:
"Wing Walkers" by the U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
Jessie (Schulz) Woods on TimlessVoices.org
Johnny Kazian - ICAS Foundation Hall of Fame (2004)
The Flying Aces - ICAS Foundation Hall of Fame (2001)
Duane Cole - ICAS Foundation Hall of Fame (1996)
"Barnstormers" by PBS
"Cliff Winters" by ParachuteHistory.com
"Mabel Cody's Flying Circus" at Kevin Holcomb's airminded.net
"Mabel Cody" at The Early Birds of Aviation
A Brief History including information on Omer Locklear, Ethel Dare, Gladys Ing, Margi Stivers & others (from opencockpit.net)
Airshow Reviews, Photos & Video
AirshoFoto: Military aviation, aerobatic performers and airshow photos by Michael J. Gallagher.
AirshowStuff.com: Airshow videos, photographs and reviews.
Steve's Airshow World: Steve Holzinger was recognized as ICAS's 2003 Air Show Fan of the Year, his site hosts a multitude of airshow videos, photos, and reviews.
JetJournal: photos and reviews by René Kurzenberg
Airshow/Aviation Organizations
ICAS - International Council of Air Shows, "The Air Show Authority"
NECAS - NorthEast Council of Air Shows - providing air show professionals in the North Eastern region of North America, enhanced networking, education and leadership opportunities at a grass roots level; and to encourage and assist ICAS members in carrying out common objectives to enhance the air show industry regionally and internationally.
ASC - Aero Sports Connection, "The Future of Light Aviation"
USUA - United States Ultralight Association, "The Original Ultralight Association"
EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association, "The Leader in Recreational Aviation"
Ultralight Clubs & Websites
North Coast LiteFlyers - USUA Club 027, Northeast Ohio (Cleveland/Akron)
Dayton Ultralight Club - Dayton, OH: Birthplace of Aviation
FLY-UL - Ultralight & Sport Pilot Aviation discussion forum (Yahoo! Groups)
T.U.P.A. - Tri-State Ultralight Pilots Association (Greater Cincinnati area)
UltralightNews.com - Links to all things UL
Ultralight Homepage - More links to all things UL
Ultralight businesses & websites
FLY-UL.com - Bob Comperini's Ultralight & Sport Pilot web page (California)
Quicksilver - The world's largest manufacturer of sport aircraft
Air-Tech, Inc. - Supplier of numerous aircraft and supplies
Air Show Discussion Forums
Fencecheck (aviation photography)
If you have any other links you'd like to see here, let us know: bob@bobessellairshows.com
Other Sites of Interest...
Liberty AirSports - ultralight flight instruction, sales & service by Bob Essell
