Thu, Oct 27, 2016
Air Show Planned For Jacksonville Beach November 5-6
The GEICO Skytypers Airshow Team will complete their 15-show season in Florida’s First Coast during the Sea & Sky Spectacular airshow on November 5-6 in Jacksonville Beach.
The Skytypers will perform their 18-minute low-level precision flying demonstration utilizing six WWII-era SNJs. Nearly every Allied pilot who flew in the Second World War trained in a North American Aviation T-6 or SNJ. The GEICO Skytypers Airshow Team fly the Navy’s variant, the SNJ – a bit shorter and equipped with a larger fuel tank for its over water mission. The 5500 pound vintage aircraft use a 600 horsepower Pratt and Whitney 9 cylinder radial engine.
The Skytypers flight demonstration features combat tactics and maneuvers taught to the pilots that fought and won WWII and the Korean War. “These maneuvers were used to train military pilots during WWII and the Korean War, many of which are taught to current generation aviators,” says pilot Steve Kapur, GEICO Skytypers marketing officer.
A majority of the team’s pilots earned their wings through military training. “We always pay tribute to the brave combat pilots who trained in our aircraft as well as those currently serving in the US armed forces,” says GEICO Skytypers Commanding Officer Larry Arken. Arken also is the team’s flight leader. “It is a special privilege to fly these vintage WWII trainers on behalf of GEICO.”
In addition to their air show performances, the SNJs are retrofitted to type giant messages in the sky. Flying side by side, in a line-abreast formation, the lead plane sends computer signals to each of the other aircraft, commanding smoke releases at precise intervals to generate 1,000-foot-tall messages. Each letter is taller than the Empire State Building with 20-25 characters produced in less than two minutes.
The Jacksonville Sea & Sky Spectacular airshow returns to Jacksonville Beach November 5th and 6th for two-days of family fun featuring a lineup of world-class military and civilian performers. The US Navy Blue Angels cap off each air show day with a thunderous performance demonstrating the capabilities of current generation fighters. Spectators can witness the amazing capabilities of the team’s signature gold and blue FA-18’s.
(Editor's note: I live in Neptune Beach just north of Jacksonville Beach. The Blue Angels will be flying over my house in just a few days. Frankly, I can't wait!)
(Source: Geico Skytypers news release. Images from file)
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