Wed, Mar 11, 2009
During the heights of this year's ICAS Convention, we had the
opportunity to spend time with the folks that make up the backbone
of the modern airshow industry... the rank and file support
companies that make all that wonderful stuff above look so pleasing
to all of those below.
One of those that caught our attention was AirSupport LLC.
AirSupport is a full-service airshow and aviation event management,
planning and production company, founded in 1995. The company
states that their primary mission is to provide aviation event
services that allow its customers to enjoy a professional,
profitable and safe airshow. From air and ground operations and
logistics to security, event management and sponsorship
fulfillment, AirSupport claims to be able to cover all the bases
with a staff of professionals with expertise in all aspects of
airshow management and production.
Michael McCabe is the founder and President of AirSupport LLC. A
private pilot, he attended the Florida Institute of Technology,
majoring in Aviation Management. His professional career, within
the aircraft service industry, includes managing several Fixed Base
Operations throughout the United States. Mike also has expertise in
engineering, surveying and mapping that he gained with a national
aerial mapping firm. He became involved with airshows in 1986 as a
volunteer for the National Warplane Museum. From 1988 to 1999 he
served as the Director of Ground Operations for the museum's Wings
of Eagles Airshow -- the largest warbird airshow in the US.
In addition, he served on the museum’s Board of Trustees from
1988 to 1994. He is also one of the featured speakers and
instructors for the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS)
Air/Ground Operations Training Seminar.
At ICAS 2208, AirSupport towered over a number of the booths
with the display of 'AIRCOMMAND I'... a state of the art mobile
airshow support system. Purpose-built for airshow management, their
mobile airshow unit is equipped with the latest in advanced
interactive aviation technology. AIRCOMMAND I was designed and
built in cooperation with a nationally respected technological
institute and is fully networked and satellite capable. AirCommand
I is a multi-purpose system that serves as the epicenter of show
control. It houses the AirBoss as well as key ground and air
operations managers. The AirCommand cab stands over thirteen feet
tall -- affording a birds- eye view of the show line, crowd line
and airspace. AirCommand’s first-of-its-kind, total glass
enclosure offers an incomparable 360-degree horizon-to-horizon
view. Features such as these provide a level of operational ability
and safety enhancement unavailable in any other system -- including
fixed airport control towers. In addition to providing incomparable
operational and safety support, AirCommand I serves as a show
operations hub and a media staging area. A steady media platform,
it provides an ideal venue for quality photography and videography,
and is also equipped for state of the art sound and communications
processing.
AIRCOMMAND I's debut took place in 2007, with early deployments
at notable events such as The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends and
the Kennedy Space Center.
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