2024 Performers
NOTE: ALL PERFORMERS ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
The 2024 Olympic Air Show includes the following aircraft performances:
Performers are not listed in order and are subject to change
Erickson Aircraft Collection
The B-17 was employed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of World War II against German industrial and military targets. The United States Eighth Air Force, based at many airfields in southern England, and the Fifteenth Air Force, based in Italy, complemented the RAF Bomber Command’s nighttime area bombing in the Combined Bomber Offensive to help secure air superiority over the cities, factories and battlefields of Western Europe in preparation for the invasion of France in 1944. The B-17 also participated to a lesser extent in the War in the Pacific, early in World War II, where it conducted raids against Japanese shipping and airfields. From its pre-war inception, the USAAC (later USAAF) touted the B-17 as a strategic weapon; it was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself, and to return home despite extensive battle damage. It quickly took on mythic proportions,[ and widely circulated stories and photos of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status. With a service ceiling greater than any of its Allied contemporaries, the B-17 established itself as an effective weapons system, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II.
Erickson Aircraft Collection
The Curtiss P-40 was a development of the radial engined P-36/Hawk 75. The prototype XP-40 was a converted P-36A with the R-1830 replaced with an Allison V-1710-19 liquid cooled V-12. First flown in October 1938, the P-40 was evaluated at Wright Field in May 1939 resulting in an order for 524 aircraft.
Early P-40s were equipped with 2x .50 and 4x .30 caliber machine guns with the .50s mounted above the engine. With the P-40D the engine mounted guns were removed and later P-40s standardized on 6x .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings.
Although the P-40 was best known for using the Allison V-1710, the P-40F and P-40L were powered by the Packard V-1650-1 Merlin. The V-1650-1 had a single stage supercharger so it did not have the altitude performance of the P-51 fitted the later V-1650 with a two stage supercharger.
Over 13,700 P-40s had been built by the time production ended in December 1944. Although the P-40 did not have the best performance of its contemporaries, it did have a reputation as a rugged aircraft and it was available when needed.
The P-40 is most famous as the aircraft of General Claire Chennault’s American Volunteer Group – the Flying Tigers. Their P-40Bs defended China against the Japanese. P-40s also serviced in the Pacific, Middle East and Europe and defended North America in the Aleutians. The P-40 was operated by England, France, China, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and Turkey as well as the United States.
Soaring by the Sea Foundation – Eugene, Oregon.
1943 Consolidated PBY-5A CATALINA “Princess of the Stars”
Built by Boeing Canada, RCAF World War II Combat veteran PBY-5A Catalina/Canso #9767 (28-5ACF Construction #: 21996) is officially credited with sinking the German U-Boat #U-342 on April 17, 1944 to the Southwest of Iceland.
West Coast Ravens
The Ravens are a group of pilots from our nation's western states who fly their RV airplanes in formation at air shows and various other aviation events. We adhere to strict formation flying standards that were originally developed by the military, and fly with a degree of discipline and precision that rivals any other realm of civilian aviation. Our performance is a demonstration of skill and dedication to the art of formation flying. http://www.westcoastravens.com
Anna Serbinenko
Anna Serbinenko is a class 1 aerobatic instructor. She trains aerobatic pilots and aerobatic instructors. Anna flies airshows and trains Canadian Flight Centre’s aerobatic team for competitions. Anna was born in Ukraine and after several years of living in Switzerland, Germany and Brazil, she moved to Canada 5 years ago to make it her home. In her other life, Anna has a PhD in financial mathematics, speaks fluently six languages and is running multiple businesses. But her passion for flying lifts her away from the daily routine into the sky with a three-dimensional freedom. The one she calls “Sky Dancing”. Anna is flying Canadian Flight Centre’s Super Decathlon, a plane built by American Champion Aircraft for the purpose of aerobatic training. It has inverted fuel and oil systems for upside down flight and can handle severe g-forces typical for aerobatics. You can meet Anna and her Decathlon later after the flight. http://www.annaskydancer.com
T.M.D.T.
The Tenino Motorcycle Drill Team will post colors at 12:00 noon Saturday Only. After welcoming remarks the drill team will perform maneuvers to kick of the show. The Tenino Motorcycle Drill Team was formed in 1984 in Washington State. What started as a novelty has changed much over the years. They are dedicated riders who have fun and enjoy doing their precision drills and maneuvers. The TEAM is a non-profit organization that promotes motorcycle safety and awareness. They support other non-profits with fundraising and entertainment plus sponsor an annual scholarship fund. They believe in Family first, Work Second, then the TEAM.
Steven Bennet & Christen Eagle
Steve flies the well-respected Christen Eagle, designed by Frank Christensen. The Eagle is well known for its beautiful lines, eagle-feathered paint scheme, and lively response for the aerobatic pilot. This airplane is guaranteed to thrill both audience and pilot.
DNR Aerial Firefighting by WFMD
Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Aerial Firefighting presented by the Wildland Fire Management Division (WFMD) Aviation Team The DNR is Washington State’s wildland fire fighting force, with more than 1,300 employees trained to fight fires within the state or nationally as needed. The Wildland Aviation Team is a highly trained air-ground firefighting unit available for Initial Attack (IA) rapid response to wildland fires. Wildfire aviation is comprised of 10 UH-1H(M) Huey helicopters modified for water/suppressant delivery in remote locations with the capability to deliver Helitack crews into otherwise unreachable terrain. Additionally, WFMD Aviation operates a Bell 206L4 type III helicopter and 2 Kodiak 100 airplanes in a reconnaissance, detection, fire mapping and command/control role. Crews are staged in multiple locations statewide during the fire season, and respond to threats to human life, property, and natural resources. This specialized team will demonstrate a mock fire-fighting mission, utilizing modified UH-1H Huey helicopters using both the belly tank and longline water (bambi) bucket methods of fire suppression. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/Aviation
Ross Granley
Ross comes from a large family of pilots that include grandparents, uncles, parents, cousins, brothers, and sister Deb, and wife, Shari. He was born in Red Deer, Alberta Canada in 1963, A Royal Canadian Air Force base, where his father was instructing on the Harvard/T-6. The third of six children, Ross showed an early love of flying and a strong desire to make it his life’s ambition. Ross joined the Canadian Air Force in1985. He received his wings in 1987, then instructed in the Canadair CT-114 Tutor aircraft in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. This aircraft is still used by the Snowbirds. He earned his A2 Instructor's rating, then was selected to fly as #2 with the Snowbird's 1990 and 1991 teams. After his tour of duty with the Snowbirds, he moved on to fighters at Cold Lake, Alberta. He underwent basic and advanced fighter pilot training in the CF-5 and CF-18. He earned top honors in both courses then flew the CF-18 with 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron for three years. In 1996 Ross was selected as a team member for Canada’s participation in the William Tell air combat competition. This included teams from all commands in the US Air Force. Canada swept the competition in nearly all categories including the top team. In 1997 with 3,100 hours of military flight time, Ross, his wife Shari and son Gregory transitioned to life as civilians. They moved to Everett, Washington where Ross lives while working as a pilot with United Air Lines, based in SFO. Ross purchased a Yak-18T in Moscow which he flies in a formation aerobatic routine. The Yak-55, flown by his dad Bud, and the Yak-18T make an unlikely and unbelievably entertaining act. http://budgranleyairshows.com
Renny Price
Renny Price is a retired airline captain and has logged over 23,000 hours since his first flight in 1969. He holds FAA ratings of Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Engineer, Multi-engine instrument flight instructor, Aerobatic competency evaluator, and FAA safety counselor. When he is not performing air shows, he flies an Astra private jet. World class aerobatics are a spectacle, but almost nothing comes close to the performance of the Russian designed and built Sukhoi-29. The Sukhoi is considered to be the very best two-place unlimited competition aircraft in the world today. Renny and his SU-29 are based just south of Portland, Oregon at the Aurora State Airport. Renny’s other interests are hunting, fishing, guitars, baseball, and of course, teaching, talking and learning about flying aerobatics. The Sukhoi-29 has a 9 cylinder radial, 360 horse powered engine. The normal climb rate is 3,150 feet per minute at 1 G. The vertical speed indicator can’t keep up when Renny pulls the stick back to 9 G’s. See him perform all the graceful classic maneuvers, plus loops with snaps on top, inside-outside snaps, torque rolls, tumbles, and just to keep it interesting, a few flat spins.
Greg Howard & G-200
Greg started flying in 1974, doing odd jobs at the airport to pay for flying lessons. He got his private pilot’s license and eventually was able to afford his own plane – a 1947 Luscombe. He used the Luscombe to commute to work every day the Northwest weather would allow it. Like any commute, it quickly became boring. To combat the boredom, Greg started doing basic aerobatics on his way to and from work. After the Luscombe and a few Pitts’, Greg now flies the G-200. At 900 pounds with 200 HP this carbon fiber aircraft is high energy and high performance. Greg has been performing precision aerobatics in the Northwest since 1980 and has over 3,800 aerobatic hours logged. He is 5 time Northwest Regional Aerobatic Champion in the Unlimited category and is a former member of the US national aerobatic team. Greg's sequence is constantly moving and virtually all the action is tightly packed towards show center.
Bill Shepherd & Yak-3
The Yak-3, owned by Bill Shepherd, arrived in a shipping container in late 2019, and required some changes and upgrades as it last flew in Australia. It now has U.S. tires, wheels, brakes, and comm radio, with other instruments converted from the metric system. It is one of the “new built” Yaks, coming out of the Yakovlev Design Bureau in 1993. It has an Allison V-1710 U.S. engine and Hamilton Standard prop. The Yak-3 design was the last series propeller fighter to come out of Russia, even after the Yak-9. The Yak-3 resides in Sequim, Washington.
Cascade Warbirds
The EAA Cascade Warbird Squadron has been a significant, consistent, and growing influence for warbird fans in the Pacific Northwest. A qualified non-profit organization, the organization has grown to 220 members, who own and fly the whole gamut of ex-military aircraft, from the old bi-planes, trainers, fighters, bombers, and liaisons of World War II and the Korean War era—to the aircraft of the Vietnam War. Even foreign aircraft are not left out, as former adversary’s warbirds are now highly prized. The organization’s purpose is to promote and encourage the preservation and operation of WWII and other such aircraft representative of military operations, and to educate interested persons in methods of safe operation and maintenance. With 135 member aircraft of 35 different types, Cascade Warbird Squadron succeeds in their objective, providing a valuable presence of historic aviation to many Northwest events. Watch this group of skilled pilots fly in formation at the end of the aerobatic show.
Museum Collection
Cobra/Huey
The AH-1 Cobra/UH-1H Huey demonstration has become an icon in the Pacific Northwest having been exhibited at many regional aviation events. Meticulously restored to original condition and markings, this dynamic helicopter duo from the Olympic Flight Museum will demonstrate authentic maneuvers as they were utilized in military service, and are techniques all Army aviators must mast. Speeds and altitudes of these precision maneuvers range from zero miles per hour at ground level, to 140 miles per hour at 1,000 feet. This demonstration contributes to the public understanding of the role of Army aircraft by demonstrating proficiency and versatility in the performance of precision helicopter flight. You will see formation photo ops and solo demonstrations from these vintage warrior helicopters made famous by the Vietnam.
P-51D Mustang
The Olympic Flight Museum’s North American P-51D Mustang captures the hearts of the young and old alike. Gaining fame during the WWII era, this fighter aircraft is fast, well-made and highly durable. A supercharged Rolls Royce Merlin engine creates the recognizable sound of power and speed. It has maximum speed of 437 mph, a cruising speed of 362 mph, and a service ceiling of 41,900 ft. Piloted by Bud Granley, the performance you will see is the only low level P-51 Mustang demonstration exhibited in the Pacific Northwest. This historic aircraft calls the Olympic Flight Museum home where it remains a favorite for museum members and visitor.
A6M 'Tora' Zero
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a long-range fighter aircraft operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service (IJNAS) from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the Mitsubishi Navy Type 0 Carrier and also designated as the Mitsubishi A6M Reisen and Mitsubishi Navy 12 Carrier Fighter. The A6M was usually referred to by the Allies as the “Zero”, from the ‘Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter’ designation. The official Allied reporting name was Zeke. When it was introduced early in WWII, the Zero was considered the most capable carrier-based fighter in the world, combining excellent maneuverability and very long range. In early combat operations, the Zero gained a legendary reputation as a dog fighter, achieving the outstanding kill ratio of 12 to 1, but by mid 1942 a combination of new tactics and the introduction of better equipment enabled the Allied pilots to engage the Zero on more equal terms.
Kaman HH-43 Huskie
The Kaman HH-43 Huskie was a helicopter used by the United State Air Force, the United States Navy and the United State Marine Corps from the 1950s until the 1970s. It was primarily used for aircraft firefighting and rescue in the close vicinity of air bases, but was later utilized as a short range overland search and rescue aircraft during the Vietnam War. The Huskie has an unusual inter-meshing contra-rotating twin-rotor arrangement with control affected by servo-flaps. The first prototype flew in 1947 and was adopted by the U.S. Navy with a piston-engine. This aircraft saw use in the Vietnam War with several detachments of the Pacific Air Rescue Center, the 33rd, 36th, 37th and 38th Air Rescue Squadron, and the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, where the aircraft was known by its call sign moniker “Pedro”. During Vietnam, the two-pilot HH-43 Huskie, flew more rescue missions than all other aircraft combined because of the unique hovering capability. The HH-43 was eventually replaced by newer aircraft in the early 1970’s. The museum’s HH-43 is the only fully restored and flying example in the world today.
L-39ZO Albatross
The Czechoslovakian built Aero Vodochody L-39ZO Albatross was built as a successor to their earlier trainer, the L-29 Delfin. Design work began in 1966, with the first prototype flown in 1968. The design idea was to marry an efficient, powerful turbofan engine to a sleek, streamlined fuselage, resulting in a strong economical performer which would become the next standard jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact. Production was temporarily delayed until 1972 due to issues with air intakes, but difficulties were overcome and the aircraft went on to be a great success with the Soviet, Czech, and East German air forces, among other. The practical suitability of the L-39 for training tasks is demonstrated daily in military service of more than 30 air forces in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
UH-60A Blackhawk
Sikorsky UH-60A Blackhawk named after the Native American war leader Black Hawk, the UH-60A entered service with the U.S. Army in 1979, to replace the Bell UH-1 Iroquois as the Army’s tactical transport helicopter. This was followed by the fielding of electronic warfare and special operations variants of the Black Hawk. Improved UH-60L and UH-60M utility variants have also been developed. More than 4,000 Black Hawk aircraft of all types are in service worldwide today. The U.S. Army is the largest operator with 2,135 H-60 designated aircraft. The same aircraft sold internationally direct from Sikorsky acquired the S-70 designation. Modified versions have also been developed for the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. In addition to U.S. Army use, the UH-60 family has been exported to several nations.