2021 SCHEDULE
SATURDAY & SUNDAY May 22-23, 2021 (Subject to Change)
9:00am Show Center opens Drop Zone Lawn Boxes
10:00am Show Center Flight Line Club opens
11:30am Performances begin
Flag Jump - U.S. Army Black Daggers Buck Roetman Aerobatics B-17 Flying Fortress Flyby Full Throttle Formation Team U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II Demo U.S. Navy Legacy Flight F4U Corsair Demo Army Heritage Demo U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demo U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
The U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team — the Black Daggers — is comprised entirely of volunteers from throughout the Army special operations community. They have diverse backgrounds and possess various military specialties. The team represents the professionalism and dedication of Special Operations Forces and performs aerial demonstrations in support of U.S. Army Special Operations Command community outreach and recruiting efforts. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command, better known as USASOC, activated Dec. 1, 1989, at Fort Bragg, N.C. USASOC is the Army component of U.S. Special Operations Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The command is 28,000 strong including special forces, civil affairs, rangers, psychological operations, signal and support, and Army special operations aviation Soldiers. The Black Daggers use the military variant of the ram-air parachute, which allows a freefall parachutist the ability to jump with more than 100 pounds of additional equipment attached. In addition to the extra weight, the jumper must also withstand high winds, frigid temperatures and low oxygen levels, all of which require high skilled.
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MOD KING
B- 17 FLY I N G
WORKHORSE OF WWII F OR TR ES S
B-17G Texas Raiders was acquired by the Commemorative Air Force in 1967. In 1974 the aircraft was assigned to the Gulf Coast Wing and our unit has proudly operated Texas Raiders ever since. In 2001, when the FAA opened the Living History Flight Program for warbirds, Texas Raiders was one of the very first, opening up for passenger flights on April 29, 2001. For many, their flight in Texas Raiders is a life-changing experience. Of all the aircraft that served in World War II, the B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most iconic. Present at both Pearl Harbor and Clark Airfield in the Philippines, B-17’s were some of the first US aircraft to be committed to combat and thus among the first to suffer losses. Flying Fortresses served in every theater of combat early in the war, but after May 1943 all B-17 production was diverted to Europe as Allied High Command had given top priority to defeating Hitler. As the backbone of the 8th Air Force heavy bomber force, B-17’s and their brave crews suffered unimaginable losses while dropping a greater tonnage of bombs on Hitler’s Europe than any other aircraft type. However, this brought about a speedier end to the conflict than would otherwise have been possible. Their sacrifices were not in vain.
Buck Roetman has been flying for over 42 years – he has flown more than 155 different types of airplanes, from Cubs to corporate jets, resulting in more than 18,000 hours of flight time. Buck’s extensive fabricating experience started in the racing industry and progressed to winning championships with a car of his own design, in SCCA competition. He has also worked on, has done research and development, and driven for numerous SCCA, IMSA, NASCAR and Indy car teams. These experiences have helped him in the building, modifying and fabricating of over 10 complete airplanes. As an air show performer since 1998, Roetman currently flies a modified Pitts S2S. The airplane was built in 1994 and has been slowly modified to its current status as one of the premier Airshow Biplanes in the world. It differs from most planes here today in that is has a Lycoming AEIO-540 engine putting out 375+ HP. Roetman’s sponsors include Grand Rapids Technology, MT-Propellers, Softie Parachutes by Para-Phernalia, Whelan Engineering, Tempest, Graham Aircraft Engines. Currently residing in Luthersville, Ga., Roetman has been married to his high school sweetheart, Candice Roetman, for more than 40 years. They have three children, two dogs and two cats together.
Of the nearly 13,000 B-17’s produced by Boeing, Douglas, and Vega, just 48 airframes survive today. Of those, just five are actively flying while an additional six are airworthy. Page 2
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F-35C
LIGHTNING II
NEW BIRD ON DECK F-35C appearances are relatively rare, but thanks to the U.S. Navy, one will make a special appearance at this year’s air show. The aircraft was also added to the newly expanded US Navy Legacy Flight program. The Navy declared the F-35C at Initial Operational Capability (IOC) status in February of 2019 a major milestone in rolling the jet out to the fleet. F-35C operations are currently focused on NAS Lemoore in California, where VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” and VFA-147 “Argonauts” are based. The VFA-125 support the demonstrations, as it is a training squadron that used to perform F/A-18C Hornet demonstration duties. For the first time in U.S. naval aviation history, radar-evading stealth capability comes to the carrier deck. The F-35C Lightning II is the U.S. Navy’s first lowobservable carrier-based aviation platform. The F-35C ntegrates advanced stealth technology into a highly agile, supersonic aircraft that provides the pilot with unprecedented situational awareness and unmatched lethality and survivability. While each aircraft is uniquely designed to operate from different environments, all three variants set new standards in network-enabled mission systems, sensor fusion and supportability. The F-35 redefines the multirole fighter. The F-35C Carrier Variant sets new standards in weapon system integration, lethality, maintainability, combat radius and payload that bring true multimission power projection capability from the sea. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps’ carrier variant has larger wings and more robust landing gear than the other variants, making it suitable for catapult launches and fly-in arrestments aboard naval aircraft carriers. Its wingtips fold to allow for more room on the deck on the carriers while deployed. Page 4
N AV Y L E G AC Y: LIVE!
A restored F4U-4 Corsair built by Chance Vought “Korean War Hero”. The Vought F4U Corsair is an American fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Designed and initially manufactured by Chance Vought, the Corsair was soon in great demand; additional production contracts were given to Goodyear, whose Corsairs were designated FG, and Brewster, designated F3A. The Corsair was designed and operated as a carrier-based aircraft, and entered service in large numbers with the U.S. Navy in late 1944 and early 1945. It quickly became one of the most capable carrier-based fighter-bombers of World War II. Some Japanese pilots regarded it as the most formidable American fighter of World War II. The Legacy Flight program matches today’s frontline fighters with their predecessors in close flight maneuvers at air shows nationwide. USN F/A-18 “ Hornet” fighters, F/A-18G “Growler” Electronic Countermeasure aircraft, F-35C Legacy II, TA-45 Goshawk trainers and T-6 Texan II trainers fly with World War II, Korean and Vietnam era fighters.
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The United States plans to buy 2,663 F-35s, which will provide the bulk of the crewed tactical air power of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps in coming decades. Deliveries of the F-35 for the U.S. military are scheduled until 2037 with a projected service life up to 2070.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of singleseat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multi role fighters. The fifth-generation combat aircraft is designed to perform ground-attack and air-superiority missions. It has three main models: the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant, the F-35B short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) variant, and the F-35C carrier-based catapultassisted take-off but arrested recovery (CATOBAR) variant.
Capt. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, a second-generation fighter pilot and former F-22 pilot, leads the new F-35A Lightning demonstration team. After commissioning, Wolfe attended undergraduate pilot Capt. Kristin Wolf training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, where she learned the meaning of Commander/Pilot being an Air Force aviator. “It hit me when I did my first solo flight,” she said. “I remember being terrified that anyone would let me fly an airplane alone after only 11 or 12 rides. It seemed like an insane concept to me. But I realized that’s how the aviation world and the Air Force trains you; to ingrain those habit patterns so that those skills take over. I remember landing and thinking, ‘That was really cool.’” After graduating UPT, Wolfe was selected to fly fighters, eventually graduating to the F-22 Raptor as her first operational aircraft. “I loved flying the F-22, but the F-35 is also a blast to fly” Wolfe said. Wolfe has over 900 total fighter hours in both of the service’s advanced fighter aircraft,
The U.S. Air Force, the eight international partners, Japan, and Israel are purchasing the CTOL variant. The STOVL variant will be operated by the United States Marine Corps, the UK and Italy. The United States Navy and Marine Corps are purchasing the CV variant. Purchases by the U.S. armed forces and these partner countries combined with foreign military sales are expected to exceed 4,000 total aircraft.
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F-35C
F-35B
F-35A Page 7
The U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight program presents the evolution of USAF air power by flying today’s state-of-theart fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft. The Ocean City Air Show is privileged to showcase a rare pass-in-review of a P-51 Mustang and F-35 -- America’s best: Past to Present.
SKY SOLDIERS COBRA DEMO TEAM The storied Bell AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter rose to prominence during the Vietnam War years and became an entrenched Cold War player. Developed from the Huey transport helicopter, the Cobra was the first purpose built helicopter gunship to enter military service. It was the mainstay of U.S. Army attack aviation from its combat debut in South Vietnam during 1967 until replaced by the AH-64 Apache in the 1980s and ‘90s. Versions of the Cobra continue to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of many nations. The Sky Soldier Team consists of veterans and patriotic civilians who are highly qualified men and women volunteers. Since 1999, members of the Sky Soldiers Team have conducted performances before more than 27 million people, and provided living history flights to tens of thousands. The Army Aviation Heritage Foundation (AAHF) is a non-profit public educational organization, dedicated to informing the American people about the history of Army Aviation, using Vietnam-era helicopters maintained and operated by some of the very people who flew them in Vietnam. The foundation has four chapters which share a legacy of the Army and Army Aviation through use of historic AH-1 Cobras and UH-1 Hueys—the largest fleet of flyable Cobras and Hueys in the United States. Each program is presented to honor our country’s military and its veterans while inspiring patriotism in the public.
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Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno Memorial Scholarship Recipient The National Air, Sea & Space Foundation in partnership with the Florida Institute of Technology presented the first award of the Stephen “Cajun” Del Bagno Memorial Scholarship to Gabriella Ferra in February 2020. Even though there aren’t any pilots or aviation-enthusiasts in Gabriella’s family, from a young age, Gabriella knew she wanted to be involved with aviation for the rest of her life. Ever since her first flight in a small Cessna at the age of four, she fell in love with the idea of making flying her career. Growing up, Gabriella became a member of several organizations such as Women in Aviation, The Ninety-Nines, AOPA, and EAA. Through those groups, she made valuable connections and was given enriching opportunities that would not have been possible otherwise. She soaked up knowledge like a sponge from aviation professionals and those with more experience in the field, constantly learning lessons she would soon apply in her own flight training. She worked through her Private Pilot Training as Page 10
her age would allow, starting lessons on her fifteenth birthday, soloing on her sixteenth birthday, and passing her check ride soon after her seventeenth birthday. Gabriella shares her passion for flying as a mentor to other young women interested in aviation as a career through WAI’s annual Girls in Aviation Day and through discovery flights for kids as a member of the Young Eagles EAA program Today, Gabriella is a Multi-Engie Commercial Pilot and her plans are to become a Flight Instructor. Since midMarch FIT Aviation has been closed for flight training due to social distancing orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so her training to become a Flight Instructor has been suspended until further notice. She is about halfway through CFI training and is hoping to get it finished early in the Fall semester as FIT Aviation resumes flying. Gabriella believes the aviation industry is quickly adapting and implementing the technological advancements of our era, and she is excited to be a part of the development of the interactions between human and machine. She states, “Pilots are responsible for moving the world, and I hope to one day be a valuable contribution to this effort in a safe and accountable way.”
FLOCK IN FLIGHT ‘Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward. For there you have been, and there you will always long to return. ‘ -Leonardo Da Vinci We may not be Da Vinci’s, but each of us started life by looking up. We took differing paths, but we’ve reached that dream. Our team flies the Vans RV aircraft in close formation, enticing you to turn your eyes skyward to enjoy the spectacle of precision, noise, and smoke! Every flight begins with an in-depth briefing. Every flight. Every practice flight requires the same preparation, concentration, and attention to detail as a performance flight.
Congratulations, Gabriella! We can’t wait to see what you accomplish.
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MOD IT ROD IT Golf carts are a great way to leisurely cruise around or visit with your friends and neighbors. However, some folks are looking for more than that from their golf buggies. There is no reason to stick with the “run-of-the-mill” / “off-the-lot” stock golf cart models if you are longing for a rougher tougher “souped up” accessorized golf cart look that will make all your friends jealous. With so many golf cart upgrades to choose from, where do you start? We have put together the top 4 easy ways to make your golf cart rough and tough ready, for any weather, terrain or even just for looks! For more ideas go to golfcartgarage.com. 1. Heavy duty tires and wheels are one of the must-have golf cart upgrade for any rough and tough golf cart. Most come with 8” street tires - perfectly fine if you are planning to only be driving on asphalt / pavement. Smaller street tires are more efficient and use less power. All-terrain golf cart tires are made to withstand the roughest terrains, with deeper treads and larger sizes. You will no problem tackling the tough stuff! 2. Installing a Golf Cart Lift Kit will give you between two and six inches of a lift and is one of the necessary golf cart upgrades, not only if you plan on installing all-terrain / offroad tires, but also it can improve your driving experience as a lift allows for a smoother, sometimes faster, less bumpy ride. 3. Fender flares for golf carts will not only help you stay mud-free, but they also help to keep any of your passengers or extra riders mud-free. We all like splashing in the mud and puddles, but the laundry afterward... 4. If your current battery voltage is 36 volts, you might consider upping your battery voltage to 48 volts. This will give you more speed and torque. You may also need a new Golf Cart Speed Controller and charger to go along with higher voltage. Page 12
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