Midwest Flyer Magazine

FLY-INS & AIR SHOWSindustry. He is one of the regular airbosses at Oshkosh each year.“Thunder on the Lakeshore” hasevolved a very successful formula overthe years. They have a great set of“regulars” who form the foundationof the show. Every year they book anumber of other performers to fillout the lineup, along with at least onenationally known “headline” act. Thisformat gives the show a familiar feel,without being boring.As with most air shows this year, thelineup was missing the usual Air Forcetactical demonstration team due toPentagon budget cuts. Luckily, the U.S.Air Force “Heritage Flight” formationfeaturing an F-16 Falcon and the P-38Lightning “Ruff Stuff” flown by KevinEldridge, was available.The U.S. Navy has not curtailedits demo program and sent an F/A-18Super Hornet from the VFA-106“Hornet East” demo team.The “Best of the First 20 Years”theme brought a number of otherperformers back to Manitowoc: JohnKlatt with the new “Air NationalGuard” MX-S, Bob Davis and hisSU-29, the Darnell family’s “Flash Fire”jet truck (this year, Chris Darnell wasdriving), the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team,Minnesota Air Spectacular 2012the sailplane aerobatics of ManfredRadius, and Jim “Fang” Maroney withhis Super-Chipmunk.Jim Leavelle is a newcomer to“Thunder,” and the air show circuit. Heflies a beautiful dark-blue SNJ with agreat smoke system. Leavelle keeps theplane right in front of the crowd.Producing the show is Curt Drummof Lakeshore Aviation in Manitowoc.With a successful 2012 showcompleted, I’m sure the organizers arealready working on putting together thefirst show of the “second twenty years.”I know where I’ll be the first weekendin June!The U.S. Navy Blue Angels were the headline act at the “Minnesota AirSpectacular” in Mankato, Minnesota.MANKATO, MINN. – Mankato’s “Minnesota AirSpectacular,” June 9-10, 2012, at Mankato RegionalAirport, had great weather, over 35,000 spectators,and some of the most talented performers in theworld, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, AeroShellAerobatic Team, U.S. Army Black Daggers ParachuteTeam, Julie Clark and her Smokin T-34 Mentor, DaveDacy with wingwalker Tony Kazian, John Mohr andhis Stock Stearman, Otto the Helicopter, and Sean D.Tucker and his Oracle Biplane.The show would not have been possible withoutthe support of sponsors, volunteers, exhibitors, vendorsand of course, the fans, said event organizers. It was alsoa time to reunite with old friends. Among the specialguests at the show were Jerry and Margaret Van Kempenof Alexandria, Minnesota. Jerry Van Kempen was thevoice of the “Red Baron Pizza Squadron” before the teamdisbanded nearly a decade ago.Plans are to make the Mankato show an annualevent. For additional information visitwww.MnAirSpectacular.com.Hauser’s Bayfield CabinTranquil Place To StayBeautiful Scenic Views of Bayfield!"#$%&'#&()*%&+,-%./#.&0%)123&4/*/56&7.)/"$3&8%9&!)$/5#&:&;)