Rich Perkins' performance is choreographed expression of his skills and abilities

Rich Perkins is the kind of pilot whose name comes up when conversations turn to "the pilot's pilot." An Air Force veteran who retired in 1992 as a Lieutenant Colonel, Perkins has flown more than 100 types of aircraft. A USAF Command Pilot Wings holder, he flew the U-2 in spy missions for which he was highly decorated, and often had to wear a pressure suit.

He also earned awards as a T-38 pilot, instructor and Chief of T-38 Academics. He not only trained other pilots, but also trained instructors in the supersonic trainer. All in all, he was responsible for the training of over 1,000 pilots in the T-38. He flew tactical missions all over the world in C-130's, and has written books on applied aerodynamics and T-38 jet systems operations which are today used as textbooks in USAF pilot training.

Not the kind of pilot who would retire to a life of golf and social activities, Perkins co-owns Attitude Aviation at Livermore Municipal Airport in Livermore (CA) with his partner, Marilyn Bedford. The facility has over 45,000 ft of hangar space, is home to nearly three dozen aircraft and is the premier aerobatics school on the west coast of the United States. He holds ATP ratings in both land and sea categories, owns a Yak-55M, teaches in the Yak-52 and is one of the few pilots in the country qualified in the Yak-54.

Several years ago, a friend of Perkins', Ted Carr, approached him with a request -- he wanted to learn to fly front seat in a jet. A retired USAF navigator, Carr had always wanted to fly as a pilot, but had not been able to do so in the military. Once he left the Air Force, he decided he wanted to make his dream come true.

What Carr had seen was an Aero Vodochody L-39, an Soviet-bloc jet trainer that was showing up in ever-increasing numbers in this country. He wanted to buy one, and he wanted Perkins to teach him to fly it and get him qualified as pilot in command. Carr had a private pilot ticket and some 1,000 hours in his log book at the time. Perkins agreed, and before anyone knew it, Carr had bought an airplane.

Anyone who has been to an air show in recent years has seen at least one or more L-39 Alabatros'. These trainers are still in production as military trainers. The aircraft sits two stories tall, is about 40 feet long and has a 31 foot wingspan. Once the aircraft was delivered and given its airworthiness certificate, Perkins' got qualified in it, and then proceeded to teach Carr how to fly it. Eventually Carr accomplished his dream, but that wasn't enough.

In the process of giving and receiving pilot skills, Perkins and Carr became good friends, and the thoughts of the pair soon turned to air shows and putting the L-39 on the circuit. An agreement was reached, and soon Perkins began working on the myriad tasks that have to be done before the aircraft is offered to air show organizers. One of the first issues that needed to be taken care of was giving the aircraft a new paint scheme that would draw attention.

Perkins is no slouch when it comes to artistic expression, so he took on the task of designing the scheme, using various software tools and pictures of the aircraft. He tried several colors and combinations, but none seemed to work, mostly because they did not stand out from the rest of the L-39 crowd. Perkins wanted something truly eye-popping, so he modified his military colors palette and began trying wild colors and schemes.

As he was doing this, partner Marilyn was looking over his shoulder, just at the point where Perkins had put on the screen a wild design based on bright orange and yellow colors, inspired by the "Tigger" character from the "Winnie the Pooh" children's series. She loved the design, but Ted Carr did not. However, the clincher came when Carr's spouse, Leigh Whitten, showed up and said she just loved the colors. She had originally expressed some doubts about the project, but Perkins' design impressed her, and that could be nothing but a good sign.

Now that the airplane had a paint scheme, it needed a name. That didn't take long -- it was suggested that with those colors, the jet looked like a cat. One thing led to another, and the Firecat was born.

The Firecat entered the air show circuit some four years ago, and has done well as a modern airplane that is also fast and eye-catching. The Firecat show was designed by Perkins, and according to him, it is the only show that is carefully choreographed to music, which he also helped to compose. The show is designed around his ability to hit cues in the music, which is no simple task, as any air show pilot can tell you. The first show he did with the aircraft was in Abbotsford, and the routine takes about 10 minutes to complete.

"I have a true passion for this endeavor," said Perkins when ANN asked what drives him to such artistic and performance extremes. "I wanted to fly to a higher standard than anybody has flown." His partner, Marilyn, agrees totally, and added that "Rich is a total package, not just a pilot."

Unfortunately, Ted Carr passed away in 2004 after a short battle with cancer. Perkins bought the aircraft from Carr's widow, but Leigh Whitten is still very much involved in the Firecat's life, and Perkins always keeps his good friend Ted in his mind, before, during and after his performances. In fact, in honor of Ted Carr, Attitude Aviation will be the site of the largest west coast annual fund raiser for the American Cancer Society in April 2006.

Perkins also offers training in the L-39, as well as rides for people who just want to experience the thrill of riding in a high performance military, with a highly competent pilot at the controls. If you would like to see the Firecat in the next airshow you plan to attend, tell the organizers, and point them to the FMI link below.

FMI: www.firecatjet.com, www.attitudeaviation.com