Military Performers

SMOKE-N-THUNDER
The Smoke-n-Thunder Air Force Reserve Jet Car is powered by a Westinghouse J-34 jet engine that develops 10,000 horsepower and 6,000 pounds of thrust. The car is made of aluminum and magnesium, weighs 2,300 pounds, is 26 feet long, and uses 40 gallons of diesel fuel for each performance. Scott Hammack is the designer of the Jet Car, the first jet-powered ground act to break into the air show industry. Scott Hammack’s wife, Linda, has been a full-time crew member for more than 10 years.

Ch-53
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Mexico, Iran, Israel, and as the MH-53 Pave Low with the United States Air Force. The USAF also operated the HH-53 "Super Jolly Green Giant" during the late- and post-Viet Nam War era.

KC-130
Mission: The KC-130 is a multi-role, multi-mission tactical tanker/transport which provides the support required by Marine Air Ground Task Forces. This versatile asset provides in-flight refueling to both tactical aircraft and helicopters as well as rapid ground refueling when required. Additional tasks performed are aerial delivery of troops and cargo, emergency resupply into unimproved landing zones within the objective or battle area, airborne Direct Air Support Center, emergency medevac, tactical insertion of combat troops and equipment, evacuation missions, and support as required of special operations capable Marine Air Ground Task Forces.

AV-8B HARRIER  
The AV-8B Harrier vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is an amazing piece of aviation technology designed to attack and destroy surface targets under day and night visual conditions. The Harrier can be armed with MK-82 series 500-lb. bombs, MK-83 series 1000-lb. bombs, GBU-12 500-lb. laser guided bombs, GBU-16 1000-lb. laser guided bombs, AGM-65F IR Maverick missiles, AGM-65E Laser Maverick missiles, CBU-99 cluster munitions, AIM-9M  Sidewinders and the LITENING II targeting pod to deliver GBU-12 and GBU-16 bombs with pinpoint accuracy. s are commonly referred to as the Harrier Jump-jet.

U.S. ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Cutting away a parachute on purpose. Passing a baton at 120 mph. Flying the American flag at 12,000 feet. Landing dead center on the target. The Golden Knights have been holding audiences in the palm of their hands all over the world with their feats of aerial acrobatics. Now in their 44th year of entertaining both young and old with their amazing aerial skills, the men and women of the Golden Knights continue to show why they are considered the world's best parachute team.

P51
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that entered service with Allied air forces in the middle years of World War II. The P-51 became one of the conflict's most successful and recognizable aircraft.
The P-51 flew most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. It also saw limited service against the Japanese in the Pacific War.

USN F-18 SUPER HORNET
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet offers a variety of advances over the F/A-18C/D model: greater range and endurance, the ability to carry heavier payload, increased bring back capability, enhanced survivability, and built-in potential to incorporate future systems and technologies that meet emerging threats and enhanced combat capability. The U.S. Navy has recognized the Super Hornet as a model acquisition program. In addition, the F/A-18E/F was awarded the 1999 Collier Award recognizing the Super Hornet as the most capable and survivable carrier-based combat aircraft.

"Viper West F-16 Demonstration Team" for further info visit site here

The General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin Fighting Falcon is considered by many to be the most agile modern fighter. Less than half the weight of the F-14, it carries a larger payload; less than one-fourth the cost of the F-15, it has superior maneuverability. In addition, advanced avionics and electronics give it excellent air-to-ground precision. The F-16 can deliver a crippling ground strike and still maintain a credible air threat. In an air combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius (distance it can fly to enter air combat, stay, fight and return) exceed that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles (860 kilometers), deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions.

F-5
The F-5A/B Freedom Fighter and F-5E/F Tiger II are part of a family of widely used light supersonic fighter aircraft, designed and built by Northrop in the United States, beginning in 1960s. Hundreds remain in service in air forces around the world in the early 21st Century, and the type has also been the basis for a number of other aircraft.

Civilian Performers

John A. Collver brings you an aerobatic Warbird air demonstration down low and in tight to give you a first hand look at what our U.S. fighter pilots were taught during World War II. This crowd pleasing non-stop aerobatic demonstration is a salute to our armed forces and veterans of all wars. Not only does Collver make his North American SNJ roar with a heavy air show smoke system, but he also includes a segment of music in his demonstration that is sure to get the audience in a patriotic mood!

Rob Harrison has a long history in aviation. He earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering in 1963 from Oregon State University, and a J.D. from the University of La Verne in 1978. He did graduate work at UCLA and holds a Certificate in Flight Test Engineering from the University of Tennessee Space Institute. Active in professional society work, he consults for aerospace engineering firms, and has his own consulting practice. He is a commercial pilot, A & P mechanic and authorized inspector.

Sony Weller started flight lessons in 1955 in a Piper-Cub, earning advanced ratings in the 1960's &'70's. He became a flight instructor in 1970, doing part time charter flights & Aerial-spraying during the 1970's. Sonny entered his 1st aerobatic competition in 1992 & started performing in air shows in 1999. He has also been a member of Civil-Air- Patrol for 30 years. He retired from Heavy Construction in 1994 & now does flight instructing & aerobatic training at Phoenix , Deer Valley airport. He holds an unlimited waiver for solo aerobatics in Pitts aircraft, and enjoys meeting with people & sharing the enjoyment of flight with both adults & children.

Tim Weber discovered aviation at the age of 13. By the time Tim was 14 years old he had gone from being the kid looking through the fence to becoming a line-boy, trading work for flying lessons. Within a short time he had soloed in several different types of gliders and had begun exploring aerobatics. Since that time, Tim has flown a variety of aircraft and experienced thousands of hours of aerobatic flying. His aggressive flying and natural ability have enabled him to become one of the top airshow performers in the United States today.

Jon Melby loves to fly, and his first airplane flight at age 12 fueled his desire to be a pilot. He soloed in a sailplane at 15 and earned his pilot’s license at 19,after first purchasing an airplane and only then hiring an instructor. After only a few months of aerobatic training, Jon began entering, and winning, several aerobatic competitions, including the Pitts Trophy for the highest scoring Pitts pilot and Sportsman Pilot of the Year. Now years later, he is an Advanced level aerobatic pilot flying his beautiful black and yellow Pitts S-2B.

Greg Medford is a native of Arizona and is based there today. He is a commercial rated, second-generation pilot as well as an instrument and multiengine instructor. He owns and operates a Martial Arts School in Scottsdale, AZ, in addition to Greg’s schedule of air show performances. Greg served with the United States Marine Corps during operations Desert Storm and Shield in 1990 and 1991, as a machine gunner in the infantry.

Doug Jardine discovered hang gliding in 1977 and became an expert pilot flying in competitions in California, Australia and New Zealand. Doug took a demo flight in 1982 in a Cessna 152 and earned his private pilots license 3 months later. After attending the Reno Air Races and watching Leo Loudenslager perform at the airshow, he took a demo ride in a Pitts S2A, thus beginning his journey in aerobatics.

Julie Clark With her sparkling personality and the graceful aerobatics that have endeared her to legions of faithful fans , Julie Clark ’s air show routine takes SMOKIN’ MENTOR, her res to red T-3 4, “Free Spirit ,” to the limits o f its operating capability. SMOKIN’ MENTOR demands exceptional skill to perform aerobatics, an d Julie’s experience has honed her coordination and responsiveness in delicate balance.

Greg Shelton lives in Collinsville, Oklahoma. His interest in aviation began at an early age watching Borate Bombers in Northern California and listening to his Father's adventures of flying fighters in the U.S. Navy. In 1982, Greg started flying lessons in a J-3 Cub, that he acquired in a trade for a VW Rabbit, but before he finished his pilot's license, he traded it for a Starduster II so he could pursue aerobatics. Greg's next aircraft was an AT-6 project, which he finished in 1987 and has been performing on the air show circuit with it since 1990. Greg has also performed in the YAK-52 and from 1994 to 2003 in the YAK-55M.
In 2003, Greg Shelton decided to add a wing walking act to his list of air show performances. He purchased a beautiful 450 Stearman painted in the patriotic colors of red, white, and blue and enlisted the talents of Ashley Battles to walk and ride the wings. Greg and Ashley's routine average 12-15 minutes with Ashley riding on the top wing and walking on the lower wing to ride the javelin while Greg performs heart stopping, low level aerobatics. Greg's solo Stearman act averages 10-12 minutes.
The vivacious Ashley was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised as a Georgia Peach in Augusta. Her passion for flying led her back to Oklahoma to follow a career in aviation. She started flying in 2000 and has so far obtained her Commercial Multi Engine Certificate. With the full support of her mother, Ashley pursues a successful career in both flying and wing walking.