Being An Airshow Performer Requires Skill, Daring, And The Ability To Transition The Skill Of Flying An Aircraft Into An Art Form

The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Foundation has announced the induction of three new members into its Air Show Hall of Fame. Gene Soucy, Chuck Newcomb, and the AeroShell Aerobatic Team will be recognized at the ICAS Chairman's Banquet on Thursday, December 11 at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

The 2014 inductees join a prestigious group of more than 50 air show legends, including Bob Hoover, Leo Loudenslager, Bevo Howard, Duane Cole, Charlie Hillard, Paul Poberezny, Art Scholl, Curtis Pitts, Jimmy Franklin, and Bill Barber.

Air show performer Gene Soucy has helped to define air show entertainment during an air show career that has now spanned parts of six different decades. As a member of the famed Eagles Aerobatic Team, as part of the wingwalking team he formed with Teresa Stokes in 1988, and as a solo performer for nearly five decades, Soucy is a past recipient of numerous other awards and is a former National Advanced Aerobatic Champion and a member of the first U.S. team to win the World Aerobatic Championship.

Chuck Newcomb has worked professionally in the air show business for more than 40 years. After an intensive introduction to the business as a member of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels for two years in the early 1970s, Newcomb began his career as an air show event organizer in 1975. Since then, he has organized and conducted more than 150 different air shows and aviation events all over the world. He served on the ICAS Board of Directors for a total of 18 years during the last 40 years.

First formed in 1985, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team is the longest running civilian aerobatic team in North America. Flying their iconic white, red and black North American AT-6 Texans, the team is renowned for their professional airmanship. During three decades of performing, the team's four-ship formation has included several different skilled pilots: Steve Gustafson, Alan Henley, Ben Cunningham, Gene McNeely, Bryan Regan, Jimmy Fordham, and Morris Ray. The team's talent and popularity as air show entertainers has long been recognized.

The airshow business wouldn’t be a business if it were not for ICAS. We at ANN congratulate the Hall of Fame inductees.

FMI: www.airshows.aero