As previously noted, the airshow industry, and the community
that supports it, is said to be a close-knit and supportive one...
and if there was ever any doubt about that, it has to disappear
with the upcoming Cecil Field Airshow... a celebration of aviation
that has been brought about, in large part, to help and support
Alan Henley (pictured right), a much beloved member of the
AeroShell Aerobatic team who suffered a paralyzing injury last year
while engaged in the simple act of playing with his kids.
The airshow community is rallying to the cause with incredible
passion and organization. At least 35 aerobatic performers are
currently committed to flying in the North Florida airshow next
month (April 18-19), with the able aid of the Jacksonville Aviation
Authority (JAA). All 35 performances are scheduled for both days,
along with a number of ground and aviation static and support
displays and activities, making for a feature-packed weekend that
is expected to draw attendees form all over North America. The
airshow schedule is packed to the gills... both in numbers as well
as variety. It has everything... from skydiving to wing-walkers to
military tactical demonstrations, to warbirds, to some of the best
precision aerobatic pilots and planes in the world.
The performers list is a veritable "Who's Who" of the airshow
world. Performers include (but are not limited to) The
AeroShell Aerobatic Team, the Aerostars, Corky Fornof, Dale
Snodgrass, Announcer Danny Clisham, Gene Soucy and Wing-Walker
Teresa Stokes, Greg Poe, Jim Peitz, John Mohr, Lee Lauderback and
Stallion 51 Mustang, Glider Pilot Manfred Radius, Patty Wagstaff,
Announcer Rob Reider, Sean D. Tucker and Steve & Susanne Oliver
-- and that barely covers a third of those scheduled! And yes, ANN
and Aero-TV will be there to cover every exciting moment!
Proceeds from this event will benefit Fly, Drive and Ride for
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Research and The Alan Henley Foundation.
The Alan Henley Foundation is a charitable organization whose sole
purpose is to benefit his treatment and his family. Alan and his
wife, Jennifer, have two young children, Skylar and Brandon.
Alan has served admirably, for a number of years as the lead
pilot for the AeroShell Aerobatic Team (tough duty, he used to tell
us... and we never believed him... grin). He was injured last July
in an accident while playing with his children at his home in
Birmingham, AL. A chin-up bar gave way while Henley was on it,
resulting in a fall which caused severe injuries to his neck and
head. Alan is making progress... but it's a slow expensive process
that is not being all that well supported by Henley's medical
insurer -- so it's up to his airshow family to pick up the
difference.
Alan has undergone a number of surgeries and battled collateral
infections and complications that resulted from his injury. At the
moment, we regret to note that he is still paralyzed from the chest
down, and will undergo extensive rehabilitation 'on a long journey
to an uncertain recovery.' Insurance has helped cover the
tremendous costs of his treatment, but ANN has been informed that
those benefits may be soon cut off, forcing them to find other
means of not only supporting Alan’s rehabilitation and
medical care, but daily living expenses as well.
Tickets are (a very reasonable) $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for
kids twelve and under, and FREE for kids six and under. The 2009
Cecil Field Airshow will be held Saturday, April 18 and Sunday,
April 19, 2009 from 1000 to 1700. Please join ANN and Aero-TV as we
ALL support one of the best of our airshow family... and enjoy a
few days enjoying all manner of airshow excitement.
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