Aerobatic Pilot
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Short FINAL NEWS FROM THE FIELD Sean D. Tucker Named Recipient of 2016 Lloyd P. Nolen Lifetime Achievement in Aviation Award erobatic pilot Sean D. Tucker has been Anamed the recipient of the Lloyd P. Nolen Life- time Achievement in Aviation Award, presented annually by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Wings Over Houston Airshow. “I’m honored to be recognized with an award named for Lloyd Nolen, a man who inspired us to celebrate aviation and to preserve and remember our history,” said Tucker, who flew his custom-made Oracle Chal- lenger III airplane at this year’s CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow on October 22 and 23, 2016, at Ellington Airport. The Lloyd P. Nolen Award is presented to an individual, organization, or company for lifetime achievement and promotion or advancement of another aerobatic pilot. He’s a Among Tucker’s many hon- Tucker also is very active in the aviation. Nolen, a humble and fan favorite all over the world, ors, he is an inductee of the community. He is the founder noble visionary, was a founding and we’re always honored to National Aviation Hall of Fame and president of the Califor- member and dynamic force of have him in our lineup and and the International Aviation nia-based non-profit Every the Commemorative Air Force. grateful for his help in publi- Air and Space Hall of Fame. In Kid Can Fly, which facilitates cizing our show.” 2003, Tucker was selected as transformative life experiences “Sean is most deserving of this one of the 25 Living Legends in education and aviation for award not only for what he Tucker has been flying air does in the air but also for his shows worldwide since the of Flight by the Smithsonian at-risk and underprivileged contributions to aviation and mid-1970s and has won nu- National Air and Space Mu- teenagers. In 2013, Tucker was air shows overall,” said air show merous aerobatic competitions. seum, joining an elite group of named chairman of aviation’s director Bill Roach. “It’s a rare He has flown more than 1,200 aviators and astronauts includ- flagship program to introduce privilege to see Sean fly. More performances at more than 475 ing General Jimmy Doolittle, children to flight, the Experi- than half of his maneuvers air shows in front of more than General “Chuck” Yeager and mental Aircraft Association’s have never been duplicated by 105 million fans. John Glenn. Young Eagles. air shows 4Q 2016 69 Short FINAL NEWS FROM THE FIELD Thunderbirds, New York Air Show Officials Ring Closing Bell on Wall Street or a few minutes in September, the air show industry became the F central focus of the financial world. Representatives from the New York Air Show along with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, on September 2, rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). As the group was welcomed to the trading floor, a standing ovation erupted as traders poured out of their booths and trading pits and lined the team’s route to the balcony upon which the famous NYSE bell is located. “It was such a profound thing,” said Bryan Lilley of B. Lilley Productions and produc- er of the New York Air Show. “The entire floor erupted into applause to welcome the team. The commotion was so loud, in fact, marketing people for the NYSE noticed the last year. NYSE officials asked Lilley to stay that CNBC’s Closing Bell producers cut to air show’s signage, media and social media in touch and bring the jet team’s pilots this a live shot of the team as we approached presence in New York’s five boroughs. The year. Since then, the relationship has flour- the platform.” Exchange’s marketing team thought it ished thanks to the success of the show and The relationship between the New York Air seemed like a natural fit and invited air show the high profile it keeps within the city and Show and NYSE began in 2015, when the officials to ring the closing bell in August of the surrounding areas. air shows 4Q 2016 70 Short FINAL NEWS FROM THE FIELD Darnell Racing Expands Jet Vehicle Offerings arnell Racing has added 300+ mph side-by-side racing two 300+ mph jet drag- down the runway. Dsters to its lineup of air Using the same military jet show offerings. Built to look and engines as in SHOCKWAVE sound like jet powered locomo- and Flash Fire Jet Trucks, these tive trains, the Chattanooga jet locomotives will make the Choo Choo and the Cannonball same jet noise, smoke and fire Express act will only be offered air show fans are used to see- as a pair, and will feature excit- ing. The addition makes five ing side-by-side performances jet vehicles available now from along the crowd line as well as Darnell Racing. Manfred Radius Earns 2016 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship anfred Radius was Canada in 1969 and became a represented Canada in the first 5,500 flights and accumulated presented with the glider instructor pilot in 1972. World Championship of Glider over 2,300 hours in over 60 M 2016 Bill Barber He added the glider aerobatic Aerobatics in Austria. types of sailplanes. In 1974, he Award for Showmanship during instructor endorsement in 1977. achieved an altitude of 35,000 a ceremony held in July at EAA For many years, Radius was the Radius began flying his sailplane feet over the Rocky Mountains AirVenture. only glider aerobatic competitor aerobatics at air shows in 1986, in North America. He competed and has since performed in air and, in 1986, flew for eight Radius started flying sailplanes in the German Glider Aero- shows all over the world. Flying a hours and 45 minutes, covering in 1961 at age 17 in Hamburg, batic Championships in 1977, H101 Salto sailplane, his graceful, a distance of 340 miles over the Germany. He immigrated to 1979, and 1981, and in 1985, he silent aerobatics are accompanied Appalachian Mountains. He is by a classical music soundtrack also an experienced skydiver, and wingtip smoke. Radius is having logged over 1,100 jumps well-known for his unique sail- over more than 30 years. plane inverted ribbon cut. In addition to his daytime The Bill Barber Award for performances, Radius is also well Showmanship began in 1986, known for his spectacular night and is awarded to air show show. With pyrotechnics on each performers or teams that have wingtip, he creates a nighttime demonstrated great skill and ballet in the sky. He has been showmanship. World Airshow performing his “Night Delight” News magazine and the friends since 1990. and family of the late Bill Bar- Radius has logged well over ber present the award annually. air shows 4Q 2016 71 air shows 4Q 2016 72 Short FINAL NEWS FROM THE FIELD CAF Red Tail Squadron Expands Team to Further Their Successful Outreach Program he Commemorative Air well as a passion for aviation to thusiasm to share the Squadron’s Force (CAF) Red Tail her role. Younkin holds a private message has its roots in attend- T Squadron in August pilot’s license, has experience or- ing numerous air shows and announced a new logistics ganizing air shows, is a volunteer volunteering for the Squadron. team focused on bringing the with the CAF B-29 Squadron She recently began to log time inspirational message of the and manages public relations for towards her private pilot’s Tuskegee Airmen to new audi- Younkin Airshows. license, and hopes her work with ences, both on and off the ramp. the Squadron will help others Their addition will add further “I’m thrilled to be joining the pursue their dreams in aviation. momentum to the Squadron’s team and having the opportu- successful outreach program nity to put my organizational “The Red Tail family is excited to aimed at inspiring people of all skills to good use in this exciting infuse new talent into the team. ages, through the history and industry,” said Younkin. “I’m pas- We look forward to putting legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, sionate about the mission of the together our best season yet of America’s first black military pi- CAF Red Tail Squadron and am outreach visits. Kristi’s exper- lots and their support personnel. excited to be a part of delivering tise in system development and the message of the Tuskegee Air- process flow will enable us to focusing on inspiring youth to Kristi Younkin, the organiza- men and helping to change lives build on our already very strong rise above, be responsible and tion’s new Senior Logistics for people across the country.” foundation,” said CAF Red Tail Coordinator, is a longtime CAF Squadron Leader Bill Shepard. achieve their goals. Kristi’s ad- Red Tail Squadron volunteer. As Also joining the team is Em- “Within the air show industry, dition will go a long way toward a project management and pro- ily Malavolti, assistant to the the CAF Red Tail Squadron supporting our mission both at cess improvement professional, logistics coordinator. Malavolti’s is one of the country’s busi- air shows and within the com- she brings leadership acumen as excitement for aviation and en- est and most impactful teams munities we visit.” Dr. D Calls it a Career r. Frank Donnelly, Most were super to work with, known as “Dr. D” on and I made some special life- D the air show circuit for time friends. It fulfilled a child- the past 12 years, flew his final hood dream.