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VAF 2009 History Hangar
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Air Show
Get Ready for a Double Air Show!
While the Valkaria Air Fest is much more than what happens in the air, the fact remains that it centers around flying... so it's only natural that we have some flying events! We're proud to bring some of the finest aerial performers to Valkaria Air Fest, with the hope that we can share the beauty, wonder, and all-out fun of flight that we love so much with everyone in our community.
We will have TWO Air Show sessions. One will
continue through the afternoon, and after a bit of a break, we'll have
the rare treat of a spectacular TWILIGHT AIR SHOW! This show
starts around 6:00 pm (we have to wait for it to start getting dark, of
course!) and is a very special and rare opportunity to see amazing
aerial performances right alongside the beauty of a Space Coast sunset.
DON'T MISS THIS!
Air Show Performers:
Scheduled performers include Gene McNeely, John Black, Fred Cabanas, Leapdogs Parachute Demo Team and Skydive Sebastian, fly-bys by planes ranging from the famous P-51 Mustang to homebuilts, and even a Hot-Air Balloon Glow. We are also working on some other demonstrations and surprises as well... to find out what they are, you'll just have to come out and see for yourself!
NOTE: The final air show schedule - released the day before the event - had a "mystery act" added to it, billed as the 'Blind Pilot / 1947 DeHavilland Chipmunk'. This was a last-minute addition to the show, and the pilot was in fact the famous Jim 'Fang' Maroney flying his Super Chipmunk. Our thanks to Fang for helping out on short notice... he did a great job, as always!
- Gene McNeely
T-6 Texan Aerobatics
Gene will be flying his T-6 Texan trainer
from World War 2. Gene is a world-renowned airshow performer, known
both for his superb flying skills with the award-winning Aeroshell
Aerobatic Team and his solo routines such as we'll see at the VAF. Gene
also looks forward to the Reno Air Races each year... he consistently
finishes in the front of the pack in the T-6 class (and you can be sure
he's grinning all the way through the race!) Gene lives just up the
coast a bit at the Spruce Creek Fly-In community near Daytona Beach.
2009 will mark Gene's second year performing at the Valkaria Air Fest.
- John Black
Super Decathlon Aerobatics
We welcome back as well LtCol John Black, USAF, who has
perhaps the world's best "real" job... he's a full-time fighter pilot,
flying F-15 Eagle fighter jets for the Florida Air National Guard in
Jacksonville. But during his off-duty hours, he has been keeping
himself quite busy on the airshow circuit. John puts his classic
American Champion 8KCAB Super Decathlon (named "Blue" because of it's
Bahama Blue color scheme) through some really great "low, slow, and
smooth" aerobatic routines, and has a reputation for exhibiting a great
bit of good, old-fashioned, stick-and-rudder flying skills. John lives
in Cocoa Beach and bases his plane at the Merritt Island Airport. John
learned to fly while in high school in Dayton, OH, and before he had
even gotten his private pilot certificate, he had started taking
aerobatics lessons! He attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in
Daytona Beach, graduating with a BS in Aircraft Engineering Technology.
Commissioned in the US Air Force in August 1989, he completed pilot
training in April 1991 after a year of flying T-37s and T-38s. For the
next ten years of active USAF duty, John flew the F-15C Eagle
air-superiority fighter jet and still flies F-15As as an active-duty
(ie, full-time) member of the Florida Air National Guard's 125th
Fighter Wing based in Jacksonville. John is also an F-15 Instructor and
Evaluator with over 3000 hours in the Eagle, and has over 4100 sorties
over the last 23 years. John has never gotten far away from his love of
aerobatics, though. His airshow mount, the Super Decathlon, is a type
that's been near and dear to him throughout his flying career. He
bought his "Blue" in 2002 and flies her as often as he can... but then,
who wouldn't! Visit John's Website
- Fred Cabanas
Pitts Special S-2C Aerobatics
Fred
started flying at the age of 16 and has over 20,000 hours of total
flight time. He holds Airline Transport Pilot, Multi-Engine,
Instrument, Commercial, and Seaplane ratings. He is also "typed" in the
North American T-28 Trojan and Hawker Sea Fury. Racing at the Reno Air
Races since 2005, Fred flies the "Conch Fury" Sea Fury, blasting around
the race course at 450 mph. Fred attended Embry Riddle Aeronautical
University in Daytona Beach and is an Aerobatic Competency Evaluator
for ICAS. Operating an aviation business out of Key West, FL, Fred also
performs air shows around the world, flying quite a variety of aircraft
including the Pitts Special S-2C biplane, Sea Fury, T-28 Trojan, T-6
Texan, P-51 Mustang, Waco, and Piper J-3 Cub. Fred is a member of the
Screen Actors Guild, and has been featured in numerous movies and TV
shows. Fred and his wife of over 30 years Susan have two children,
Kelly and Raymond. Lt. Kelly Cabanas flies S-3 Vikings for the US Navy,
while her brother Raymond is in college in Florida working towards an
aviation career. Not surprisingly, Fred dedicates his air shows to the
Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces. While 2009 will mark
Fred's first time at our Air Fest, he's a familiar face at many major
shows including Sun 'N Fun. Visit Fred's Website
- High-Performance Fly-Bys
P-51 Mustang, Midget Mustang Racer, others
We'll be treated to a variety of fly-bys, including some high-performance performances by aircraft like the legendary North American P-51 Mustang of World War Two, arguably the most important fighter plane in history! Pilot Jeff Michael will tear up the skies over South Brevard with the thunderous, sweet roar of the Mustang's 1,200 horsepower Merlin engine, the plane that helped save the free world from dark forces of evil in World War Two. When you see the Mustang, remember... this is what FREEDOM sounds like! We'll also have high-speed passes by Valkaria-based Art Irvine in his Bushby Midget Mustang, a sleek homebuilt that's found widespread success both in air racing circles and as a fast and sporty personal aircraft. We are working on other fly-bys and flight demos, so stay tuned for more!
- Leapdogs Parachute Demo Team and Skydive
Sebastian
Sport Parachute Demonstration
Skydivers from the Leapdogs Parachute Demonstration Team, in
conjunction with Skydive Sebastian, will be performing sport
parachuting demonstrations featuring both exciting formation aerial
maneuvers and informative ground demonstrations.
- Hot-Air Balloon Glow
(Evening Airshow Only)
Hot-air balloons will be part of the sunset airshow. While the balloons aren't going to actually take off, be sure to bring your camera as the sight of huge hot-air balloons inflated and glowing brightly in the fading twilight is a truly beautiful sight! Usually, there are opportunities to help the balloonists out, if you're so inclined... it's a unique and fun experience. Bring the kids!
Evening Balloon Glow (Photo: Timothy O'Connor, via AvWeb.com)
- And More...
We're working on a few more surprises... you'll just have to wait and see what else might happen!
Please keep in mind even though aerial performances are what many folks think of when attending an aviation event, there is much more to the Valkaria Air Fest than just the air show! Be sure to check out all the other great things going on like the History Hangar, the many static aircraft displays, the R/C airplane demos, and the displays by the many Sponsors & Participants who make this event possible!
(Please note that all events and participants are subject to change)
History Hangar
History Hangar
While many folks come to see the aircraft, that's certainly not all there is to do at the Valkaria Air Fest. We are very pleased and honored to once again host our popular feature, The History Hangar... where guests will have the opportunity to meet some true heroes and aviators with fascinating experiences. No matter how impressive or legendary any particular aircraft may be, the real story is the people associated with it. We have worked hard to provide an opportunity for the community to meet these folks who have, in many cases, created the history that will live forevermore.
We strongly encourage young people to meet and learn more about the amazing things that these folks did! Some attendees will give presentations, some prefer just to talk and answer questions, but all are there out of a desire to share their unique perspectives on our history with others. Several attendees will have books, DVDs, etc. available to buy if you wish, many of which help to support worthy organizations such as the Tuskegee Airmen Association.
Are YOU a Historic Aviator?
If you have experience with some historical aspect of aviation (or know someone who does) and would like to be part of the History Hangar, or if you have a historically significant aircraft you'd like to bring, please get in touch!
Featured Attendees
This is the current list of who we expect to host in the History Hangar. We're actively seeking more folks, so this list will change as we confirm attendance plans.
- Tuskegee Airmen
First Black Combat Pilots in US Military
Meet original members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen - the first black combat pilots in the US military, who earned a nearly perfect record of protecting their assigned bomber groups from German fighters during World War II, while simultaneously fighting an even tougher battle against the rampant racism of the times. Recently awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, these valiant warriors and patriots are truly American Heroes in every sense! - The Ninety-Nines
Women Pilot's Group
The 99's is an organization founded in 1929 by 99 (out of 117) American licensed women pilots in order to provide mutual support and advancement of aviation, and counted such luminaries as Amelia Earhart amongst their ranks. Today, the group's membership includes thousands of licensed women pilots from 35 countries and fortunately, female aviators are not such a rarity. Many Ninety-Nines today are professional pilots for airlines, industry, military or government, some teach and some just fly for pleasure, some are technicians and mechanics, but first and foremost the 99s are women who love to fly!
- Cdr William R. Barnett, USN
US Navy Hellcat Pilot and Author of "US Naval Air Station Melbourne, FL WWII"
William actually did flight training at Valkaria Airport during World War II and has extensive knowledge of the history of military aviation in this area during the War. He will give a presentation on this fascinating segment of Valkaria Airport's history.
- MajGen Frederick C. "Boots" Blesse, USAF
Korean War Double Ace and Author of "No Guts, No Glory"
Boots Blesse graduated from West Point in 1945 as a US Army Air Corps pilot. After stints flying P-40, P-51, P-47 and F-80 fighters, he volunteered for two combat tours in the Korean War. Between Nov. 1950 and May 1951 and April 1952 and Oct. 1952, Boots flew 67 missions in F-51 Mustangs, 35 missions F-80 Shooting Stars, and 121 missions in F-86 Sabres. During his second tour he shot down nine MiG-15s, one LA-9, and scored 1 "probable" and 3 "damaged" MiG-15s, making him America's top jet ace by the time he returned to the States in Oct. 1952. At the 1955 Air Force Worldwide Gunnery Championship, Boots won all six trophies offered for individual performance... something that's never been equaled. He served two tours in Vietnam, flying 156 combat missions. When he retired from the USAF in 1975, he had over 6,500 flight hours in fighters and over 650 combat hours. Perhaps most famously, Blesse wrote the book "No Guts, No Glory" which is required reading for all fighter pilots. He will have copies of his books available to buy at VAF.
- Paul B. Davis
Assistant Professor, Florida Tech
Paul B. Davis is an Assistant Professor in Aeronautics for Florida Tech, and is the advisor to all first-year students. Paul's FAA certificates include Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, CFI, MEI, CFII, Single Engine, and Multi Engine, Helicopter, and FAA basic ground instructor ratings. He's been a multiengine fixed-wing and helicopter pilot for 40 years with more than 9,000 flight hours. He served as U.S. Air Force command pilot, military airfield manager and as an airport manager for three years. Professor Davis has an educational background in transportation management and business administration, and is the intern coordinator and alumni liaison at Florida Tech. He has taught and/or attended cockpit crew resource management and leadership classes for United Airlines, American Airlines, Transworld Airlines, Pan American World Airways, Airbus Industries, Delta Airlines, Flight Safety International and Comair Aviation Academy. Paul's research interests in aviation studies include cockpit/crew resource management, aviation management, flight safety, human factors and ergonomics. Paul will be giving a presentation on Rescue Helicopters in Vietnam.
- Frank Gallagher
Helicopter Test pilot
Frank is an accomplished helicopter test pilot, flight instructor, and FAA check pilot. Frank is rated in 88 different aircraft.
- Jeff Goldstein
USAF Retired / Melbourne Airport / Melbourne Area Pilots Association
Jeff and Bill Barnett will be presenting a video about the history of aviation in Melbourne.
- Rod Ludder
P-47 Pilot
Rod flew P-47 Thunderbolts in World War 2, training at Millville AAF in New Jersey.
- Capt. Jon McBride, USN (Retired)
Former NASA Astronaut and Space Shuttle Pilot
Jon is a native of West Virginia who began flight training in the US Navy in Pensacola in 1965, and after earning his wings he flew the F-4 Phantom fighter, including 64 combat missions in Vietnam. He then attended the USAF Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB before reporting to Air Test and Development Squadron 4 at Point Mugu, CA where he was the maintenance officer and Sidewinder project officer. Jon has logged over 8,800 flight hours, including 4,700 hours in jets, and has flown over 40 different types of aircraft, both military and civilian. Jon was honored to pilot the Navy's well-known (and often-modeled) "Spirit of '76" bicentennial-painted F-4J Phantom at various air shows betwen 1976-8. His current FAA ratings include commercial pilot (multi-engine), instrument, and glider, and he was previously a CFI. In January 1978, Jon was selected for astronaut training and officially became an astronaut in August 1979. He was the lead chase pilot for the maiden voyage of Space Shuttle Columbia, worked on software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL), served as the Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) for STS-5, STS-6, and STS-7, was the Flight Data File (FDF) Manager, and also participated in orbital rendezvous procedures development. His Shuttle flights began when he was assigned as the pilot for 8-day Challenger mission STS-41-G, launching on October 5, 1984. STS-41-G was notable for being the first crew of seven, deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, conducted scientific observations of the earth with the OSTA-3 pallet and Large Format Camera, and demonstrated potential satellite refueling techniques with an EVA and associated hydrazine transfer. The mission lasted 197 hours, landing back at KSC on October 13, 1984. Jon was scheduled to fly as the commander of STS-61-E in March 1986, but the mission was deferred after the Challenger tragedy that January. In July 1987, Jon was assigned to NASA HQ as the Assistant Administrator for Congressional Relations. Here, he had responsibility for maintaining NASA's relationship with the US Congress and helped to coordinate between HQ and Field Centers and Congressional support organizations. Jon did this from September 1987 through March 1989. In 1988, he was named commander of STS-35 (ASTRO-1), scheduled to launch in March 1990. However, Jon decided to retire from both NASA and the US Navy in order to pursue a business career. He became President and CEO of the Flying Eagle Corporation in Lewisburg, WV and President of the Constructor's Labor Council of West Virginia which are heavy/highway construction contractors. In 1996, he tried his hand at politics and sought the Republican nomination for Governor of West Virginia, but lost to Cecil H. Underwood. He later moved to Arizona to pursue other business opportunities. Today, he is retired and lives near Cocoa, FL and is active in educating and exciting the public about space via his participation in KSC's "Lunch with an Astronaut" program. He also give lectures and corporate motivational presentations.
- Chief Master Sgt. Richard A. Ortega, USAF
(Retired)
D-Day Participant and Aerospace Educator
Chief Master Sergeant Richard Ortega is a veteran of 29 years of service, three years in the army and 26 in the USAF. He was a private when he participated in the first wave of the D-Day invasion, landing at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. On July 18, 1944 he was recommended for the Medal of Honor by Brigadier General Norman D. Cota, 29th Div. during the capture of the city of St. Lo. France, but the recommendation was lost at HQ 29th Division in France. After being sent to the field first aid station 12 times in his first 56 days of front-line combat duty for minor wounds, he was seriously wounded at the end of July and hospitalized for 9 months. In May 1945, he was transferred to the Army Air Corps (later the USAF) and became a bombardier instructor in the B-29/50 Superfortress. In July 1950, while on TDY at Kadena AB, Okinawa, he was the Lead Bombardier of the 1st bomb mission on July 9, 1950, and flew an 18 additional combat missions over North Korea. The Chief flew over 10,000 hours as a Bombardier, ECM operator, Loadmaster, Gunner and Boom Operator in many aircraft, including the C-119, C-123, C-124, B-17, B-24, B-29, B-50, B-36, B-66, KC-97, and KC-135. From 1960 to 1970, he participated in the development, deployment, and operation of the LGM-30 Minuteman and the LGM-118A Peacekeeper ICBMs. Before retiring from the Air Force on June 30, 1970, The Chief served as the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (the highest enlisted member of the Air Force, who provides direction and representation for the enlisted corps) and also had a stint as legendary General Curtis LeMay's assistant. The Chief's combat decorations include 2 Silver Star medals, 4 Bronze Star medals with "V" (Valor in combat) device, 7 Purple Heart medals, Europe Campaign medal with Arrowed Head (D-Day Landing) and 4 Battle Stars, Command Aircrew wings, Master Missile with Operations Designator badge, Master Munitions badge and Master Munitions Maintenance badge. The Chief's peacetime decorations include the Legion of Merit medal, Joint Services Commendation medal, 3 Meritorious Service medals, 7 Air Force Commendation medals, 9 Command Airman of the Year citations and two AFA Airman of the Year medals. He was AFA's 1963 PACAF Airman of the Year and AFA's 1970 TAC Airman of the Year. After leaving the service, he became an educator and was the first recipient of the AFA Aerospace Education Lifetime Achievement Award, and has made it his life's mission to help kids.
- LtCol Keith Phillips, USAF (Retired)
Piloted F-84G Thunderjet, F-84F Thunderstreak, F-100D Super Sabre, F-104G Starfighter, O-1 Bird Dog
Keith learned to fly in the early 50s, entered the USAF in 1955 and completed his pilot training in 1956. He flew the F-84G Thunderjet, F-84F Thunderstreak, and then the F-100D Super Sabre. He graduated from the F-100 USAF Fighter Weapons School before spending four years as an instructor in the USAF/GAF F-104G Fighter Weapons School (a partnership between the USAF and German Air Force). Keith served two combat tours in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. In Vietnam, he did one of the most dangerous jobs imaginable... flying "low, slow, unarmed and alone" as a Forward Air Controller in the Cessna O-1 Bird Dog supporting the US Army's 4th Division. Later, he flew the F-100 with the 31st Fighter Wing, and accumulated over 500 hours of combat time. He retired from the USAF as Lt. Col. in 1977 while serving in the Pentagon. He then worked with Singer/Link in their F-5E Simulator Program for Saudia Arabia, as well as other positions in the Middle East. Keith is now a consultant for major US aerospace firms marketing military equipment in the Mid-East, and has built 3 amateur-built aircraft. Keith and his wife Linda live at the Spruce Creek Fly-In community and he is currently the president of EAA Chapter 288 in Daytona Beach, as well as leading Spruce Creek's famous "Gaggle Flight" and flying the occasional airshow in his Pitts Model 12 biplane. Keith currently flies an SX300, Pitts Model 12 and IAR 823 Romanian military trainer.
- Tom Reilly
Warbird Restorer / B-25 Owner
Tom Reilly is well-known in warbird aircraft circles, and is perhaps best known as the founder and operator of the Reilly Warbirds Museum which operated for many years at the Kissimmee airport. Tom earned a reputation as a top-notch restorer/rebuilder of warbirds, and for many years he was "the" guy to see if you owned a B-25 Mitchell bomber that needed repair, restoration, or an annual inspection, having worked on a number of these aircraft. Tom and his crew have restored or done major work on a wide variety of historic aircraft over the years, including the B-25 and B-17 bombers, F4U Corsair, P-40 Warhawk, Supermarine Spitfire, T-6 Texan, and many others. Today, Tom often attendings airshows in his B-25 Mitchell named "Killer B".
- Capt. Winston E. Scott, USN (Ret.)
Former Space Shuttle Astronaut and Dean of Florida Tech Aerospace Dept.
Captain Scott entered Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School after graduation from Florida State University in December 1972, and earned his wings as a Naval Aviator in August 1974. He served a 4-year tour with HSL-33 flying anti-submarine missions in the SH-2F LAMPS helicopter out of NAS North Island, CA. In 1978, he earned his MS in aeronautical engineering with avionics from the Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, CA. He went on to complete jet training in the TA-4J Skyhawk before serving a tour with VF-84 at NAS Oceana, VA fling the legendary F-14 Tomcat (of 'Top Gun' fame). In June 1986, Winston was designated an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer and served as a production test pilot at the Naval Aviation Depot in Jacksonville, FL where he flew the F/A-18 Hornet and the A-7 Corsair. He was also assigned as Director of the Product Support (engineering) Department. He was next assigned as the Deputy Director of the Tactical Airclaft Systems Department at the Naval Air Development Center in Pennsylvania. As an R&D project pilot, he flew the F-14, F/A-18 and A-7 aircraft, accumulating over 5,000 hours of flight time in 20 different military and civilian aircraft, and more than 200 shipboard landings. He was also an associate instructor of Electrical Engineering at Florida A&M University and Florida Community College at Jacksonville. NASA chose him for the astronaut program in 1992. He served as a Space Shuttle Mission Specialist on STS-72 in 1996 and STS-87 in 1997, and has logged over 24 days in space, including 3 spacewalks totaling over 19 hours. On STS-72, shuttle Endeavour flew 142 orbits between from January 11 and 20, 1996. On that flight, the crew retrieved the Space Flyer Unit satellite (launched from Japan 10 months prior), deployed and retrieved the OAST-Flyer satellite, and conducted two spacewalks. Capt. Scott's first EVA during this flight lasted nearly 7 hours and helped to refine techniques for building the International Space Station. STS-87 in late 1997 was the fourth U.S Microgravity Payload flight, focusing on experiments to study the effects of microgravity on various physical processes as well as on observations of the Sun's outer atmospheric layers. Scott performed two spacewalks, the first lasting over 7 hours and featuring the manual capture of a satellite in addition to testing tools and procedures for future Space Station assembly. The second spacewalk lasted 5 hours and also featured ISS assembly tests. STS-87 took 252 Earth orbits and travelled 6.5 million miles. Capt. Scott retired from NASA and the U.S. Navy at the end of July 1999 to accept a position at his alma mater, Florida State University, as VP for Student Affairs and also served as associate dean in the FAMU/FSU College of Engineering. In July 2003, he became the Executive Director of the Florida Space Authority, advising Florida's lawmakers on space- and aeronautics-related matters. He was also a part time professor of Aeronautics at the Florida Tech in Melbourne. In September 2006, he became a VP and Deputy General Manager for Jacobs Engineering in Houston, Texas. Today, he serves as Dean of Florida Tech's College of Aeronautics. His book Reflections From Earth Orbit was published in July 2005.
- Ron Sherfy
B-17 Ball Turret Gunner
Ron was a B-17 ball turret gunner during World War Two... one of the most dangerous positions around for an aircrew member. While based in Italy, he saw combat action and his plane even got shot down. His aircraft was escorted by the Tuskegee Airmen, and he recalls waving to the P-51s with the red tails and black pilots inside.
- Lee Starrick
Space Walk of Fame Museum
Lee knows what the early days of the space program were like... his father took a job at the Cape during the early days of the Space Program, and Lee worked for years as a firefighter at the Space Center. He's retired now, and spends his time volunteering at Titusville's Space Walk of Fame Museum, helping to explains the background of the museum's memorabilia to visitors.
- Steve Wood
Holder of 225 Aviation Records and 90 FAI World Records
Steve has accumulated a large variety of records... in fact, the 225 Aviation Records he's earned is a record in itself! From May 2007 to July 2008, Steve set a massive total of 225 aviation records of which he has claimed 90 records as official FAI World Speed Records (all 90 world records have been ratified). This exceeds the 88 FAI records set by Steve Fossett. All of Steve's 90 FAI international records have been accepted by the Royal Aero Club as British National Records. With 90 records ratified by the FAI as official world records - and 77 world records set in a single year - Steve is also No. 1 in the World for number of records held in various categories. In fact, no other British pilot in aviation history has set as many records in any type of flying machine! (You can view a more complete list of Steve's records here.) However, unlike what you might expect for someone with so many aviation achievements under their belt, Steve came to aviation in a rather unusual way. Steve's flying career began in San Diego in 1993... in the worst winter weather for over a decade... after just over two weeks intensive training... which must be quite a record in itself! The next year, he went on to fly in the challenging environment of New Zealand and gained a NZ licence. In 2005, Steve added an instrument rating to his complex & high performance sign-offs, and has flown almost 50 different types of airplane during his 1000+ flight hours. Steve still lives in the town of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, where he was born. He finds he's often mistaken there for fellow Yorkshireman and TV personality gardener Alan Titchmarsh, not surprising considering they're a similar age and were born within 20 miles of each other! In the 1980's, Steve produced a video series on Ferraris, and developed a video format later adopted by the BBC for their very popular (and quite humorous) car show Top Gear. Steve's record setting started early when he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors at the youngest possible age of 30. Since then, alongside his surveying career, he has taken on many challenging projects including building his own home, car, and record setting Glastar airplane... officially dubbed the 'Spirit of Endeavour' but better-known as "GOOFY" (after it's FAA registration number, N600FY... who says aviation is always serious business?) Steve is a member of Rotary, and promotes Rotary International during his record setting flights. While Steve enjoys fast cars, motorcycles, sailing, flying and world travel, he has put much effort into voluntary work associated with aviation. In 1991, he formed Heli-Aid, which (along with behind-the-scenes support from Prince Charles and The Duke of Gloucester) pressured the UK government and ambulance services into establishing a widespread helicopter air ambulance system throughout the UK. In 1998, he established GreenHawk Trust as a UK Charitable Trust with the aim of providing free Young Eagles flights to disabled, disadvantaged and terminally ill children, which opened doors to some interesting events. Well over 1000 children were flown in the three years before Steve (and 'GOOFY') went to live half the year at the Spruce Creek Fly-In community near Daytona Beach. Today, Steve still continues with Young Eagles flights. Typical of Steve's efforts, on a preview day at the 2005 RAF Cosford airshow he and record setting aviatrix Polly Vacher flew special needs children throughout a fun-filled day the kids will certainly never forget. Steve is now fully supporting Polly's passion of Flying Scholarships for the Disabled and its Royal International Air Tattoo connection, through Able Flight in the USA. Steve's aviation record setting has involved a lot of hard work, such as dealing with the parts for his homebuilt airplane arriving heavily damaged from shipping and continuing through many other difficult trials and tribulations during the 7-year building process which took place in both the UK and Florida. Two years of planning and negotiations took place before his first attempt at a round-the-world flight, which ended in an off-filed landing in Ohio after his second engine failure. Now retired, Steve splits his time between Harrogate and Florida.
- More To Come!
We are working hard to confirm the attendance of more aviators with interesting and historic experiences... stay tuned!
View the Presentation Schedule
(Please note that all events and participants are subject to change without notice)
Sponsors and Participants
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Without our team of Sponsors, Vendors and Participants, there would be no Valkaria Air Fest! Please take the time to thank the businesses, organizations, and individuals who play a part in making this event happen through their participation, advertising, and other support.
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