The Chicago Air and Water Show presented by Shell Oil Products U.S. and the City of Chicago is the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States. The show can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point.
Show Headliners (not in order of appearance, which is determined the morning of the show).
AeroShell Aerobatic Team
The AeroShell Team has been performing for over twenty years, amassing thousands of hours in front of airshow fans all over North America.
Sean D. Tucker & Team Oracle
Sean D. Tucker’s life is marked by a search for excellence and perfected skill. He is not satisfied unless he is learning, refining a skill, or conquering a fear. Whether he is heli-skiing, cave SCUBA diving, golfing, or flying his one-of-a kind aerobatic dream machine, Sean D. Tucker is full-throttle and extremely accomplished.
In airshow flying, Sean is the world’s premier performer in terms of entertainment value, piloting skill and most importantly, professionalism. He has been flying airshows world-wide since the mid-70’s and has won numerous aerobatic competitions. In that time, Sean has flown more than 1000 performances at more than 425 airshows, in front of more than 80 million fans. In addition to being a phenomenal aviator, Sean is also a larger than life character who touches the heart of his fans and inspires millions of Americans.
Lima Lima Flight Team
The Lima Lima Flight Team demonstration is flown with six airplanes, It includes several formation configurations, from the six ship wedge and double arrowhead, to the basic finger four and diamond formations. The team has developed a series of formation aerobatics maneuvers which demonstrate the full range of the T-34 performance envelope.
Above all, the Lima Lima Flight Team stresses precision formation flying, and keeping the team in front of an airshow crowd during all of it’s maneuvers, from take-off to landing. Lima Lima has performed in airshows from coast to coast and border to border, thrilling more than 100 million spectators with the beauty and grace of their precision performances.
For more information on Lima Lima Flight Team, visit www.limalima.com
The Firebirds Delta Team
The Firebirds flight demonstration combines the precision of formation aerobatics with radical gyroscopic tumbles and heart stopping head-on madness guaranteed to keep you on the edge.
Chuck Aaron in the Red Bull Helicopter
“Malibu” Chuck Aaron is the first – and only – civilian pilot ever to be licensed to perform helicopter aerobatics in the United States. In fact, he’s one of only three pilots permitted to execute the dangerous maneuvers internationally.
Chuck is also the first helicopter pilot to be presented with the Art Scholl Showmanship Award, an honor bestowed by the International Council of Air Shows to recognize the world’s most outstanding air show performers, and was inducted in 2011 to the prestigious Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
But the blond, mustachioed pilot isn’t one to brag – or to rest on his laurels. Chuck takes to the road much of the year, piloting the one-of-a-kind Red Bull Helicopter through breathtaking air show choreography including backflips, 360-degree rolls, and a heartstopping tumble called the Chuckcilvak. “People can’t believe what they’re seeing, Chuck laughs. “How can a helicopter do all those crazy things?”
Bill Stein Airshows
Bill Stein has logged over 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. Bill began flying aerobatics when he was still a student pilot and has been dedicated to perfecting his skills ever since. Since 1995 Bill has performed at air shows all across the United States and has entertained millions air show fans.
For more information on Bill Stein Airshows, visit www.billsteinairshows.com
Matt Chapman Airshows
Matt Chapman is recognized as an extraordinary aerobatic pilot who thrills millions of airshow fans each summer. He began flying aerobatics in 1984 and quickly worked his way up to the highest level of competition aerobatics – the Unlimited category. Recognized for his skills, he won one of only five slots on the U.S. Unlimited Men’s Aerobatic Team in 1996 and 1998.
Matt also won the prestigious International Aerobatic Club Championships in 1994 and the Fond du Lac Cup in 1995.
Matt’s exciting competition aerobatics led him to airshow performing. Matt is both a solo performer and flies formation in a thrilling show with fellow performer Mike Mancuso.
Matt is also a respected airline captain with tens of thousands of flight hours.
Dave Dacy in the Super Stearman
Dave Dacy has been performing in airshows and special events throughout the United States and Canada since the early 1970s. Soloing in a Aeronca Champ at the age of 16, Dave was in the cockpit of a 220 H.P. Stearman teaching himself aerobatics by the time he was 20.
In addition to his over thirty years of experience in the airshow industry, Dave has also lent his talents to movies and commercials, having landed his aircraft on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago as part of an IMAX promotion for the Science and Industry Museum.
Performing on the airshow circuit today in the 450 H.P. Super Stearman, Dave has also performed airshows in a stock 220 H.P. Stearman, a modified 300 H.P. Stearman and the German designed Bucker Jungmeister. As a professional and respected member of the Airshow Community, Dave is an ICAS (International Council of Airshows) ACE (Aerobatic Competency Evaluator.
GEICO SkyTypers (NEW)
The World Famous GEICO SkyTypers Airshow Team is a flight squadron of six vintage WWII aircraft performing precision flight maneuvers at select airshows across the US. The diverse flying expertise of the team members aligns perfectly with the unique components of their overall performance.
For more information on the GEICO SkyTypers, visit www.geicoskytypers.com.
Nalls Aviation – British Sea Harrier Jet FA2 (NEW)
The British Aerospace Sea Harrier is a naval VTOL/STOVL jet fighter, reconnaissance and attack aircraft, a development of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. It first entered service with the Royal Navy in April 1980 as the Sea Harrier FRS1 and became informally known as the “Shar”.
The Sea Harrier served in the Falklands War, both of the Gulf Wars, and the Balkans conflicts; on all occasions it mainly operated from aircraft carriers positioned within the conflict zone. Its usage in the Falklands War was its most high profile and important success, where it was the only fixed-wing fighter available to protect the British Task Force. The Sea Harriers shot down 20 enemy aircraft during the conflict with one loss to enemy ground fire. They were also used to launch ground attacks in the same manner as the Harriers operated by the Royal Air Force.
For more information on Nalls Aviation, visit www.nallsaviation.com
Aerostars, Inc. (NEW)
The Aerostars are a precision aerobatic demo team whose aerial ballet captivates aor show audiences large and small. They fascinate the crowd with a combination of graceful aerobatics flown in tight formation, spectacular breakaways followed by breath-taking opposing passes and awe-inspiring inverted maneuvers. The team performs in the Yak 52 TW, a former Soviet designed, Romanian built, WWII-type aerobatic trainer. The deep roar of their 400 horsepower, supercharged, nine cylinder radial engines singing in harmony is a true crowd-pleaser. The Aerostar’s performance is the embodiment of teamwork, professionalism and commitment to excellence.
For more information on Team Aerostars, visit www.teamaerostars.com, facebook.com/TeamAerostars, twitter.com/TeamAerostars and youtube.com/TeamAerostars.
Warbird Heritage Foundation (NEW)
A-4 Skyhawk Jet to perform Tac Demo
The A-4 Skyhawk was a post Korean War U.S. attack aircraft intended to be operated from aircraft carriers. It was designed by Douglas Aircraft to satisfy the U.S. Navy’s need for a jet powered replacement for the A-1 Skyraider. The Skyhawk was successfully used by both the USN and USMC, with the first model entering service in October of 1956.
Skyhawk’s were the Navy’s primary light bomber during the early years of the Vietnam War. A-4’s carried out some of the first U.S. air strikes of the war and a Marine Skyhawk is believed to have dropped the last US bombs on the country. Some of the notable A-4 pilots during the war were Vice Admiral James Stockdale and then LCDR John McCain. The Skyhawk continued in service throughout the war, with a total of 362 being lost.
For more information on A-4 Skyhawk Jet, visit warbirdheritagefoundation.org
American Airlines (NEW)
American Airlines is committed to reinvesting in its products and services to improve the travel experience for its customers. American’s investment in its fleet is the latest in a series of strategic investments the company believes are necessary to enhance the overall customer experience, as well as maintain and grow market share.
All Veteran Parachute Team (NEW)
The All Veteran Parachute Team is a unique collection of highly experienced parachutists who represent the essence of what it means to be an American: patriotism, creativity, initiative, professionalism and dedication to excellence. The mission of The All Veterans Parachute Team is to exhibit all the best qualities of Americans today in an entertaining, awe-inspiring package through parachute demonstrations, tandem parachute jumps, and other parachute-related activities at special public and private events across the nation.
For more information on the All Veteran Parachute Team, visit allveteranparachuteteam.com
Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue
The Air Sea Rescue Unit was established in 1965, where they provide search and rescue services for 37 miles of lakefront, an extensive river system, numerous lakefront venues, and the largest harbor system in the U.S.
Chicago’s busy lakefront offers the Air Sea Rescue Unit unique emergency challenges including, assistance to boats in distress, water rescues and air search missions. Divers assigned to the Air Sea Rescue Unit are trained under public safety rescue diver guidelines specific to Chicago’s needs and particular environment. Air pilots are trained in helicopter search and rescue, and hoist rescue techniques patterned after nationally recognized standards. The Air Sea Rescue Unit uses two (2) Bell 412 EP helicopters to aid in their efforts. This equipment is used for multi-mission roles, which include administrative, law enforcement, and primarily search and rescue flights. The unit also has dive rescue vehicles equipped with the latest available communications devices, full facemask and dry suit dive equipment, and lighting for night operations. They also have a dedicated swimming pool for training the members.
The 55th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show, presented by Shell and the City of Chicago, will return August 17 and 18 along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as show center from 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. daily. Strong in tradition and one of the largest free admission events of its kind, the show includes a wide variety of civilian acts with daredevil pilots performing their aerial stunts in the skies above Chicago.
For more information on the 55th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show, please call the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events at (312) 744-3315, TTY (312) 744-2964 or visit the web at chicagoairandwatershow.us. To plan your trip to Chicago for the show visit choosechicago.com. Become a fan of the Chicago Air and Water Show on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at @ChicagoDCASE (#ChiAirandWater).