AirPigz Podcast #12: Kent Pietsch Akro And The Indy Air Show!

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 Kent Pietsch and his Jelly Belly sponsored Interstate Cadet

Interview with Kent Pietsch - 37:47

 It's not every day you talk with a guy who often lands an airplane on top of a moving motorhome or pickup truck!  But that's exactly what Kent Pietsch (sounds like 'peach') does on a regular basis, as the video below shows.  He's been performing at airshows since 1974 and he does some really cool flying with his 1940's era Interstate Cadet... like landing on that tiny moving platform; or doing a crazy comedy act that has him bouncing all over the place, dragging wingtips and even losing an aileron; or his 'deadstick' routine where he does aerobatics with the engine shut down from 6,000 feet, and then stopping the airplane exactly where he wants it back on the ground. It's great airshow performing by an excellent pilot and a really nice guy.

 Kent is one of many fabulous airshow pilots that will be making the 2010 Indy Air Show such a great event to take the family to if you're anywhere near the Indianapolis area Friday thru Sunday June 11th - 13th.  It'll be my first year at the event and I'm really looking forward to it.

 In addition to Kent, other performers that I've talked to recently for podcasts that will also be at Indy are Red Bull Air Racer Michael Goulian (podcast #10) as well as Kyle Franklin and Matt Younkin (podcast #8).  These interviews really help to give you some insight into what it's like for these unique people to be flying at the highest levels.  Turns out they're all really nice people too!

 If you're an A-10 Warthog Fan like I am, you'll love seeing the Air Combat Command put on a special A-10 demonstration at Indy.  This video from 'A-10 Warthog Week' gives you a great idea of what to expect!  Check out IndyAirShow.com for all the details, schedule, and ticket info... it's gonna be more aviation than you can shake a stick at(!) and I hope to see you there : )   

I'm looking forward to some great aviation at the 2010 Indy Air Show!

 Learn more about Kent Pietsch at PietschAircraft.com

Video: 'A-10 Warthog Week' Begins With A Smokin' Airshow Demo

Catch the Air Combat Command A-10 East Demo Team
at the Indy Air Show June 12th & 13th

AirPigz 'A-10 Warthog Week' Begins! 

 This excellent video was shot just last month at the Bluebonnet Airshow northwest of Austin, Texas.  It features a fab aerial demonstration of the Fairchild A-10 Warthog (officially the Thunderbolt ll) put on by the Air Combat Command's West Demo Team.  This is all especially relevant since the East Demo Team will be putting on a similar demo at the Indianapolis Air Show in just a few weeks on June 12th and 13th.  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the A-10 put on a show like this : )

 This video also officially kicks off 'A-10 Warthog Week' where in addition to regular posts, you'll find a post on this unique anti-tank airplane each day this week.  This ferocious A-10 CoolPix from a couple weeks back kinda got this all started... that's when I realized that this airplane had so many interesting features to it that it really deserves a week of attention.  

 One feature to catch in this video are the decelerons, ailerons that are split so they can also be deployed up and down at the same time to act as air brakes, in addition to providing roll control.  Toward the end of the video this can be seen as the airplane pulls up sharply after a fast pass and the decelerons are deployed.  The scene immediately after of the landing also gives a good view of them, especially at touchdown when they are fully deployed.

 Lots more to come as 'A-10 Warthog Week' is just getting started!

Friday Night Airshow At Sun n' Fun 2010

 Matt Younkin's Twin Beech in the evening waiting for darkness to come for him to put on his night airshow.  Several performers flew Friday night from twilight thru until pretty much completely dark.

 One of the four T-6's from the AeroShell Aerobatic Team firing up.  By the time they flew it was getting pretty dark in the east and some gentle light still off to the west.  The airplanes are well lit up and make a lot of smoke.  It's pretty cool seeing and hearing formation flying in such low light!

 The Aerostars team in their Yak 50 aircraft flying in the twilight and looking great.  The Aeroshell team flew in a darker sky and Matt Younkin's sky was basically black.  The sight and sound of the Twin Beech covered in lights and pouring out huge smoke was certainly spectacular.

 There were several other aircraft that flew in the night airshow including a sailplane and a helicopter.  I'm pretty sure this is the biggest effort by SNF to do a night airshow and it seemed to be very well attended.  I think the crowd enjoyed the wide variety of aircraft and the relaxed nature of the presentation.  The cool night air felt great, and the sliver of the Moon in the western sky was a beautiful sight.

 After a driving trip that took me exactly 24 hours elapsed time, the SNF Friday night airshow was a great way to get my first experiences of Sun n' Fun 2010.  Watch for more updates tomorrow.

Fascinating 1959 Farnborough Video: A Brave New World!

 I’ve purposely posted part 2 of this video first cuz it has the most flying action, and it’s some pretty amazing flying action at that!  After a glimpse of a unique hovercraft, we see the fabulous, tailless, Avro Vulcan bomber take off.  But even more important to me is just how close some of the people are to the flying going on.  This was a fantastic era, one I wish very much that we stilled lived in today.  When that Vulcan takes off, there are about 20 people, probably associated with the event, standing in the grass along the runway… one guy about 20 feet from the edge of the runway! 

 You’ll see several other places with people close to the runways, but there’s also clear views of the jets flying right over the huge crowds.  I know some people will strongly disagree with me, but I think the risks are totally worth the vastly improved experience seeing, hearing, and feeling these airplanes so close.  We live in an era now that tries to remove all the risks from living.  But the truth is you can’t, and we never will be able to. 

 I think societies are much stronger when we acknowledge the risks, and then face them straight on, with boldness and courage.  We also have a ton more fun that way too!  Anyway, it’s remarkable to see the contrast to the way things are done today.

 Other extremely notable footage in the video are of airplanes like the Vickers Vanguard; the Argosy freighter; the ultra-cool hybrid rotorcraft Fairey Rotodyne; the first ever British VTOL jet, the experimental Shorts SC.1; and some great views of the Black Arrows aerobatic team flying 16 Hawker Hunters in close formation!  What an incredible history lesson in this 7 minute video of what appeared to be a brave new world coming over the horizon.

 Part 1 of the video below is also great to see, but doesn’t have as much overall action.  There is a lot of footage of the de Havilland Comet tho, very cool stuff to see.  It’s also interesting to see the strength of the British aerospace industry at the time.  It's a great video history lesson : )

AirPigz Podcast #8 - Matt Younkin & Kyle Franklin: Sons Of Legends

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Matt Younkin - Amanda Younkin Franklin - Kyle Franklin

(5 pix + 1 video)

Interviews with Matt Younkin and Kyle Franklin - 54:38

 Matt Younkin’s father Bobby Younkin, and Kyle Franklin’s father Jimmy Franklin were two of the best airshow pilots ever, with years and years of impressive experience in a very wide range of aircraft.  Known for both unique creativity and tremendous flying skill, they set the standard for excellent airshow performances again and again.  Sadly, they both lost their lives in an airshow accident while performing together in 2005.

 The great heritage of those years of airshow excellence is being carried on by Matt Younkin and Kyle Franklin as the Sons of Legends.  Matt is well known for flying the Twin Beech aerobatically with both day and night shows… and Kyle keeps the Waco Mystery Ship and wing walker act at the forefront of airshow performances.

 The Sons of Legends story is even more interesting in that Matt’s sister Amanda is married to Kyle, bringing these two great aviation families even closer together.  Amanda is not only a pilot, but she manages both Younkin Airshows and Franklin Airshows, and she's Kyle’s wing walker too!

 These three unique people are working hard to bring honor to the great airshow work done by their fathers, and this podcast includes in-depth interviews with both Matt and Kyle.  They both talk about what it’s like to fly their signature aircraft as well as some of the other airplanes in their shows.  It’s especially interesting to hear Matt talk of flying the Twin Beech at night, and to hear Kyle’s details of his 8 years of wing walking experience followed by him now flying the Waco as Amanda is out on the wing.  Listen now to learn more about the Sons of Legends.

 all photos: Scott Slocum 
Matt Younkin in his beautiful looking (and sounding!) Twin Beech

Click to read more ...

OSHKOSH Pic Stream #4 - Wednesday , July 29

This "prehistoric" flapping wing machine and wing-walker have been coming to Oshkosh for 25 years now.  It never gets old seeing it pop and sputter down the flightline!  You can also see skywriting for Scheyden eyewear drifting away in the background sky.

There was a really cool hand-propping demo going on each day in front of the Vintage Hangar.  It was a great op for people unfamiliar to get some good tips and cautions.

The que line for getting inside the the A380 was kinda long and slow moving.  Everyone I talked to tho that went thru was glad that they did.

Two main gear trucks with 6 tires each and two with 4 tires each... plus 2 at the nose makes for 22 tires in all.  That's only 4 more than the 747.

Another view of the Taylor Speedstar.  It's just a concept at the moment, but there was a lot of interest and hope that this will lead to an STC for this single turbine Aerostar modification.

Oshkosh doesn't get any better than this!

Matt Chapman in the CAP 580 putting on a great show for Embry-Riddle.  photo: Tim Stiffler

David Martin in the Breitling Extra 330 throwing smoke into the perfect blue sky.  photo: Tim Stiffler

The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum had their fabulous Lancaster bomber on display.

For a $5 donation (to help pay for the fuel) you could climb up the ladder and all the way thru the Lanc.  What a fantastic experience!  I had a nice visit with Richard E.J. Pulley, one of the pilots as he told me some of the history on this specific airplane.

Beautiful Lockheed P-38 on display in the Warbird area.  photo: Tim Stiffler

A closer view looking inside the unusual P-38 cockpit.  photo: Tim Stiffler

The mouth and teeth of an excellent Curtiss P-40 ready to eat you up!  photo: Tim Stiffler

It's not warbirds without P-51's!  photo: Tim Stiffler

The care given some of these aircraft is absolutely amazing.  photo: Tim Stiffler

OSHKOSH 09 Pic Stream #3 - Tuesday, July 28

The campsite in the very early morning with a clear blue sky.  Turned out the weather all day Tuesday was as good as it gets with lots of sun, some beautiful clouds and wonderful temps.

It's been so encouraging to see huge attendance this year, with airplanes and people everywhere!  Tuesday seemed like a weekend with so many people. Here's a look at some of the homebuilts on the flightline.

As a guy with tons of time riding in the back seat of a Breezy as a kid, and then a couple hundred hours in the front seat of one back in the 80's, I'm always glad to see some beautiful Breezy's at Oshkosh : )

It's no surprise that Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo has been a popular attraction on AeroShell Square.

The much-bigger-than-you-thought size of WKT is easy to see here.

A unique view of WKT as we look up into the Heavens!

The rather unusually designed spacecraft-launch-vehicle put on a really nice flight demo in the afternoon.  Burt Rutan gave some very entertaining commentary from the speakers stand as well.  Good stuff!

Soon after the WKT demo, the super jumbo Airbus A380 arrived!  A spirited flight demo followed and the airplane looked very graceful in the beutiful Wisconsin sky.

Now that's a lotta wing!

The A380 was pushed into place on AeroShell Square and prepped for her stay at Oshkosh.