Air Show Industry Recognizes Its Best At December Convention

The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) and the ICAS Foundation recently honored several members of the air show community for their contributions to the industry.

The awards were given out at the 2013 ICAS Convention, which was held at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in December 2013. More than 1,000 air show professionals attended. The 47th annual ICAS Convention featured the traditional opening reception on Monday, a keynote address by leadership consultant Jeff McCausland on Tuesday, a panel discussion with three World War II aviation combat veterans on Wednesday, and the traditional Chairman's Banquet at the conclusion of the four-day event on Thursday evening. 

The recipients include:

• The ICAS Sword of Excellence was awarded to videographer Mark Magin for the cutting edge camera techniques he has used and for helping to convey the energy and excitement of air show performances to the general public.
• The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award was presented to Roger and Pauline Buis, operators of Otto the Helicopter, for their efforts to add value, variety, professionalism, and showmanship to air shows.
• The inaugural Wingman Award was presented to Mike Houghton, former president and CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association for his leadership following the September 2011 tragedy at the Reno Air Races.
• The ICAS Special Achievement Award was awarded to Gilbert Buekenberghs, chairman of the European Airshow Council, and to Dale Drumright, air show director for AirPower over Hampton Roads at Langley Air Force Base, for their contributions to the air show business.

The ICAS Foundation also inducted three members into the Air Show Hall of Fame:

• Pappy Kobelt is best known as the founder and operator of Kobelt Airport. He flew as a crop duster, ran an aviation power line patrol business, and performed as an air show pilot in his Ryan PT-22 military trainer. Kobelt Airport became THE place for the top air show performers of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to perfect the craft of aerobatic flying.
• Thrasher Brothers Aerial Circus performed between 1945 and 1950. They were known for their car stop landings, biplane aerobatics, parachute demonstrations, inverted ribbon cuts, and car-to-aircraft transfers at rural small town airports throughout the Southeast.
• Eddie Andreini is a talented showman and renowned pilot who has been an active air show pilot for nearly 50 years. He serves as a mentor and role model for new pilots. Andreini is known for his performances in the Stearman biplane, Yak 9, and most recently, the P-51 Mustang.

ICAS was founded in 1968 as a trade and professional association by industry professionals to protect and promote their interests in the growing North American air show marketplace. The organization, which has grown to nearly 900 members, recognizes the need for standardization of industry practices in key areas such as safety and business practices.

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