2019 KC Air Show July 6-7 Will Feature U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Exciting Performances and Ground-Based Attractions, free admission for Active-Duty Military plus Air-Conditioned Shuttles Equal Fun for Entire Family

KANSAS CITY, MO – After a four-year hiatus, the KC Air Show is back with 18 world-class aerial acts and unique ground-based attractions (see full list below). Featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and fun for the whole family, the 2019 KC Air Show at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport July 6-7 promises to be one of the best in the country.

Other notable acts include the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the U.S. Air Force A-10 “Warthog” demonstration team and top-tier civilian performers. Guests will enjoy the awe-inspiring formations and aerial maneuvers of the Aeroshell Flight Demo Team, the crazy aerobatics of Bob Carlton’s Vertigo Jet Glider, and the thrilling, complex aerobatics of Patty Wagstaff – one of the world’s top air show pilots.

Ground-based attractions will include beautifully restored war planes and bombers as well as immersive exhibits like:

The Air Show line-up is the same on Saturday, July 6, and Sunday, July 7. Gates open at 9 a.m., and aerial performances begin at 10:30 a.m. both days. Admission for active-duty military with a government ID is free, and veterans receive a discount. Tickets may be purchased online at www.etix.com/ticket/v/14509/kc-air-show-charles-bwheeler-downtown-airport or at the gate. There are no refunds if the show is canceled due to inclement weather.

Organized by the nonprofit KC Air Show Charities Inc., proceeds from the KC Air Show will support STEM education around the Kansas City area. Learn more about the KC Air Show at kcairshow.org.

2019 KC AIR SHOW GROUND-BASED AIRCRAFT DISPLAYS AND PERFORMERS*
*Availability subject to change.

ROTARCRAFT

EXHIBITS
Red Tails Rise Above Traveling interactive exhibit
U.S. Navy “Nimitz” STEM Tour Virtual Reality Experience
Rob Reider (Announcer)
Rob Reider is the most sought-after announcer on the North American Air Show circuit. His talents have earned him the highest award in the air show industry, the International Council of Air Shows “Sword of Excellence.” In 1978, he announced his first air show and made it his full-time vocation in 2006. Since then, he’s announced over 250 shows from Maine to California to Japan.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels
The Blue Angels flight demonstration team is more than just a group of individuals brought together to represent the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Since 1946, the Blue Angels have delighted more than 500 million spectators across the country with their precision, speed and aerobatics. The Blue Angels fly six F/A-18 Hornet aircraft, split into the Diamond Formation and the Lead and Opposing solos.

U.S. Army Golden Knights
The Golden Knights are one of only three Department of Defense-sanctioned aerial demonstration teams. The team is composed of approximately 95 men and women, which includes four parachute units, an aviation unit and a headquarters. The demonstration teams, which use five dedicated aircraft, perform at more than 100 events every year.

Aeroshell Aerobatic Team
The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team performs tight, awe-inspiring formation aerial maneuvers in front of millions of air show fans all over North America. With Mark Henley, team lead; Bryan Regan, right wing; Steve Gustafson, left wing; and Jimmy Fordham, slot; this four-ship of T-6 Texan aircraft perform a series of loops, rolls and bomb bursts in close formation for a classic aerobatic routine.

Patty Wagstaff
Patty, one of the world’s top air show pilots, flies thrilling, low-level aerobatic demonstrations before millions of people each year. Her breathtaking performances give air show spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of modern, unlimited hard-core aerobatics. Her smooth, aggressive style sets the standard for performers all over the world.

Jacquie B "Warda"
At the age of 50, Jacquie B began her pursuit of becoming the first female pilot to enter the air show business. She launched her solo aerobatic career with her one-of-a-kind Pitts Special biplane during the centennial celebration of powered flight in 2003. Jacquie now flies an Extra 300 monoplane with over 3,200 flight hours and more than 1,100 coast-to-coast air show performances behind her.

Julie Clark
Julie Clark, a pilot for almost 50 years and a retired Northwest Airlines Captain, has recently announced 2019 as her last season of air show performances. Julie has logged more than 33,000 accident-free hours in the air and is rated in more than 66 types of aircraft. Marking her 40th year as a solo aerobatic air show pilot, Julie has earned the admiration of fans everywhere and garnered many awards and honors.

Shetterly Squadron

Greg, Joe and Jeff Shetterly
Three planes – DR 107 One Design, SNJ-6 Radial Rumble and RV-8 piloted by Father Greg, and brothers Jeff and Joe – the Shetterly Squadron perform in numerous air shows throughout the country each year. Whether performing as a group or individually, the Shetterlys are described as a “must-see” and “beyond spectacular!”

John Klatt in Jack Link's Screamin’ Sasquatch
The Jack Link’s Jet Waco “Screamin’ Sasquatch” is powered by dual power plants: a Pratt & Whitney 985 radial engine and a GE CJ610 jet engine. This system allows the plane to achieve feats other stunt planes are unable to do, along with reaching speeds up to 250 MPH. Snap rolls, spins, barrel rolls and the hover are among the list of maneuvers this aircraft can perform.

Jim Peitz Bonanza
Jim Peitz began teaching himself aerobatics in 1992 and has since amassed over 14,000 incident-free hours in over 100 aircraft types! For more than 10 years, he has been flying the F33C Beechcraft Bonanza at air shows around the country. The specialized Bonanza is capable of a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers including loops, point rolls, barrel rolls, snap rolls, Cuban eights and hammerheads.

Mike Goulian
At the age of 27, Michael Goulian earned the distinction of becoming one of the youngest pilots to ever win the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Championship. Throughout his 30-year career, Mike has performed in countless air shows and Red Bull Air Race World Championships. His air show performances combine the heart-stopping gyroscopic tumbling of modern display flying with crisp, aggressive, demands of precision competition aerobatics.

KC Flight Formation Team
Founded in 2009, KC Flight Formation Team is Kansas City’s largest home-grown civilian formation team. The team continues to grow with 16 members flying Van’s RV aircraft out of Lee’s Summit Airport. You can catch them performing locally and at area high school football games on Friday nights.

Matt Younkin
Matt Younkin’s Beech 18 performance is likely the most unusual act on the air show circuit today. The performance begins with a roll on takeoff followed by a series of Cuban eights, point-rolls and even a loop. The conclusion is a dirty pass dubbed the “Elephant Waltz” in which Matt rocks the huge transport’s wings more than 90 degrees with the landing gear and flaps extended. Throughout the performance, light-hearted music plays in honor of Matt’s father, Bobby.

Red Tails Flight Demo
The CAF Red Tail Squadron’s P-51C Mustang, named Tuskegee Airmen, is an authentic and fully restored operational fighter from the WWII era. Complete with the unique red tail paint scheme synonymous with the Tuskegee Airmen, the aircraft is flown in numerous air shows around the country each season. The P-51C Mustang Tuskegee Airmen honors not only the pilots of the famed all-black units, but the support personnel as well.

Bob Carlton - Vertigo Jet Glider
The Super Salto jet sailplane self-launches and performs both a classical sailplane aerial ballet and screaming low-level jet aerobatics. The highly modified Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the air show circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet powered air show performance. This sailplane wastes no time climbing to altitude or hooking up a tow plane to clear after the performance.

AFTERSHOCK Jet Fire Truck
Darnell Racing Enterprises owns and operates three of the fastest Jet Trucks on the planet! The 2019 show is excited to welcome the AFTERSHOCK Jet Fire Truck from their fleet. This 1940 Ford Fire Truck boasts twin Rolls-Royce Bristol Viper Jet Engines totaling over 24,000 horsepower and holds the Guinness Record for Fire Trucks at an amazing 407 MPH!

Confederate Air Force P40 "Warhawk"
Piloted by local performer Sam Graves, the P40 has recently completed a major restoration project. The famous "Tex Hill" warbird is now the only P-40 appearing in air shows that offers a full military aerobatic presentation.

A-10 Demo Attack Team
The A-10 is the Air Force's premier close air support aircraft, providing invaluable protection to troops on the ground. The Air Combat Command A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team, stationed out of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, brings the aircraft to air shows around the country to showcase the unique combat capabilities of the A-10 "Warthog." They perform precision aerial maneuvers while highlighting the mission and professionalism of the men and women of the United States Air Force.

Tom Larkin Mini Jet
MINI JET AIR SHOWS is a lifelong dream of pilot Tom "Lark" Larkin. Having watched the BD-5J perform as a child at a local air show, and then later becoming a fighter pilot, airline pilot, and aerobatic pilot, it was always his dream to do air shows in a "mini" jet. What started off as a half partnership in an RV-6 with his brother Larry eventually became the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase and perform in a SubSonex Jet.

Now it's' all about "high energy" air shows and interacting with kids. Come see what this amazing little jet can do!