Top Performers Confirmed for Oshkosh

January 6, 2009 — The new year has just started, but already many of the world's top air show performers have given early confirmations to participate at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2009 from July 27-August 2 at Wittman Regional Airport. Included on this year’s roster are more than a dozen women who will participate in special "Women Fly" air show activities on Friday, July 31, and Sunday, August 2. Other invited performers include those with Canadian ties or aircraft to honor this year’s centennial of powered flight in Canada. In addition, second-generation air show standouts Matt Younkin and Kyle Franklin will be appearing at AirVenture, as well as Chuck Aaron and the Red Bull aerobatic helicopter, which made a spectacular debut at Oshkosh in 2008. Yearly favorites such as Sean D. Tucker, Mike Goulian and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team will be part of the schedule as well. "Each of these performers work as a headline act at air shows throughout the country, but they come together at EAA AirVenture to make an all-star roster of the 'best of the best,'" said Tom Poberezny, EAA president and AirVenture chairman. "Air show performers are eager to fly at Oshkosh because it represents a major achievement in their careers, flying in front of the most knowledgeable and appreciative audiences on the air show circuit. Look for even more top performers to be added to the list in early 2009." Exact daily performance schedules will be finalized in the weeks prior to EAA AirVenture and will be announced through the event's website. If you can’t get to Oshkosh, there are two new airshows that might be closer to you. Colorado Sport Aviation said it would launch the Colorado Sport International Air Show and Rocky Mountain Regional Fly-In at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Denver, on Aug. 22-23. The Rocky Mountain Fly-In has been held at various locations in its 29-year history, and this will be a new venue, incorporating the airport's annual open house event. Also, Branson Airport, in Branson, Mo., will host the first Branson Air Show, May 8-10, which will set the stage for the grand opening of the first privately operated commercial airport on May 11. AirVenture 2009 Air Show Performers Chuck Aaron - Red Bull Helicopter AeroShell Team - T-6s Melissa Andrzejewski – Edge Herb Baker -T-28 Bob Carlton - Jet Sailplane Matt Chapman - CAP 231 Chandy Clanton - Edge 540 Julie Clark - T-34 Collaborators - Modified Pitts, Edge 540, Extras Susan Dacy – Stearman Dave Dacy/Tony Kazian - Stearman Wingwalking Kyle Franklin - Waco, Wingwalking act Debbie Gary – Marchetti Mike Goulian – Extra Bud & Ross Granley – Yaks Ed Hamill – Pitts John Klatt – Stauduacher Greg Koontz – Decathlon Liberty Parachute Team – Skydiving Jill Long – Pitts Misty Blues – Skydiving Steve Oliver – Chipmunk Steve/Susan Oliver – Skywriting Jim Peitz – Bonanza Debbie Rihn-Harvey - CAP, Pitts Gene Soucy – Showcat Soucy/Teresa Stokes – Wingwalking Bill Stein – Edge Sean Tucker - Modified Pitts Patty Wagstaff – Extra Warbirds of America - Warbirds Matt Younkin - Twin Beech

Sean Tucker performs at AirVenture 2008. Julie Clark in her restored T-34. Matt Chapman performs during AirVenture 2008. The AeroShell Aerobatic team performing at AirVenture 2008. Photos by DeKevin Thornton

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