Steps In For Injured Founder Alan Henley

It's a tremendous opportunity, though it comes under less than desirable circumstances. The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team announced Friday the addition of Bryan Regan as its newest member. Regan, former team lead of the Red Baron Pizza Squadron, will be stepping in to fill the role of interim team lead while Alan Henley, Team Founder and team lead recovers from a serious injury he sustained in late July.

"I am glad to be able to step in and help," Regan said. "While Alan fights his battle to recover, it’s a great feeling to jump in and help this team keep going. I am looking forward to the experience. We’ll just take it one show at a time."

As ANN reported, Henley was injured July 22 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. He is currently undergoing treatment at the Spain Rehabilitation Spinal Cord Injury Unit in Birmingham.

Regan will make his AeroShell Team debut at the North Georgia Transportation Expo Air Show in Rome, GA on September 13-14. He's no newcomer to the airshow family, having flown with the Red Barons from 1996 to 2007. Regan also held the lead position from 2003, until the team was discontinued by Red Baron Pizza in 2007.

A skilled formation pilot, Regan flew the Boeing A75 450 Stearman in every position for that team, and the AeroShell team says he's a great choice to now lead the AeroShell Aerobatic Team.

Regan also received an important, and meaningful, thumbs-up from Henley. "We are really excited to have him on board," Alan said. "Bryan is a tremendous asset to our team, and will easily carry out the professionalism and quality that the AeroShell Aerobatic Team is known for."

A staple of airshow performances for years, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team is a four-ship formation aerobatic team comprised of vintage North American AT-6 Texans. The team delights millions of airshow fans across the US each year, performing at a wide variety of locations.

Veteran performers Alan Henley, Bryan Regan, Mark Henley, Steve Gustafson, and Gene McNeely form the unique squadron of aerial acrobats, that has been a crowd favorite since 1985.

FMI: www.naat.net, www.caringbridge.org/alanhenley