Stepping Out

Eye on the sky

High flying stunts at the Bethpage Air Show

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Memorial Day is upon us, much to everyone’s delight. For many of us, the holiday weekend begins at Jones Beach to watch the action in the sky above during the annual Bethpage Air Show.
For the throngs who attend year after year – there are many thousands watching the skies over the Atlantic Ocean at Jones Beach if it’s a sunny weekend – this spectacular two-day display of flying stunts is annual tradition not to be missed, This year’s show, on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 12 p.m., is headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.
The distinguished squadron, is joined by other elite military pilots, including the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, back here for the their 13th appearance, and a full lineup of air show performers.
The Thunderbirds, “America’s Ambassadors in Blue,” will demonstrate the extraordinary capabilities of the pilots flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, an $18 million, 19,700-pound fighter aircraft, also known as the Viper, which can travel at speeds up to 1,500 mph. Their performance — their fifth at Jones Beach — includes approximately 40 maneuvers, featuring formation flying and solo routines.
 This year’s show marks the return of “hometown hero” Major Kevin Walsh, Thunderbird Pilot #7 (who hails from Levittown), Director of Operations for the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron.  

Also underscoring Long Island’s finest will be a tribute by the Thunderbirds to Sgt. Anthony L. Mangano who was killed in action in 2006 while deployed in Afghanistan. As part of the honor, the squadron will place Sgt. Mangano’s name on Thunderbird Jet No. 1 during the program.Besides the military aviators, this year’s lineup also includes renowned air show pilot Sean Tucker performing in his custom-built Oracle Challenger II biplane; aerobatic pilot Matt Chapman; Lt. Col. John Klatt flying the Jack Links’ Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco; the popular GEICO Skytypers flight squadron; the American Airpower Museum Warbirds; along with the SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams, who are back following their Bethpage Air Show debut last year, flying seven of their 22 college-owned aircraft, in a fly-by piloted by their top academic professional pilot performers.  
Among the air show favorites, the GEICO Skytypers, combine the best of old and new. The team flies their vintage aircraft while utilizing the latest technology to skytype their messages. The pilots give spectators a unique viewing experience while showcasing the tactics and maneuvers utilized during training during World War II.
The team uses six of the remaining 11 North American SNJ-2 planes left in the world to write messages at an altitude of 10,000 feet. The restored planes are equipped with a computer that coordinates the smoke puffs from the aircraft, which are “typed’ in dot matrix-style lettering.
Each letter is higher than the Empire State Building and can be formed in three to four seconds.
“People on the ground can see our messages from 15 miles away,’ says Steve Kapur, GEICO Skytypers’ marketing officer and reserve pilot. “
“Many people know and recognize our skytyped messages along the beaches in the northeast. The air show gives us a chance to show people a different side of the team. We consider it an honor to demonstrate the amazing abilities of these vintage warbirds. At more than 75-years-old the SNJ-2 is a testament to the engineering genius of the Greatest Generation. These planes are dream to fly.”
The Skytypers remain based in Farmingdale, where the planes are maintained by a full-time staff of mechanics.
“Many of our team members earned their wings in the military and we always pay tribute to the brave combat pilots who originally trained in our aircraft as well as those currently serving in the Armed Forces,” says Larry Arken, the Skytypers’ flight leader. “It is a privilege to fly these vintage trainers on behalf of our sponsor GEICO.”
“We are excited every time we get in these planes to demonstrate their capabilities. We hope that young people will be encouraged and inspired to explore a career in aviation based on what they see during the show. And the older generation can appreciate the passion and historical significance of these aircraft and the work that goes into maintaining them.”
“Be sure to come out to Jones Beach over the weekend,” he says. “It’s a great venue and a great family day. You’ll see a lot of cool things and there’s no better way to start the summer.”

Bethpage Air Show

When: Saturday and Sunday, May 27-28, 12 p.m. Free to the public but the standard $10 vehicle use fee will be collected each day upon entry.
Where: Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh. For up-to-date information, visit www.bethpageairshow.com.