2023 Performers
NOTE: ALL PERFORMERS ARE TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
The 2023 Olympic Air Show includes the following aircraft performances:
Performers are not listed in order and are subject to change
P-38J Lightning 23 Skidoo
Easily one of the most recognizable fighters of its time because of its distinctive twin-boom design, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was one of the most famous American warplanes of World War Two and the mount of America’s two top aces—Dick Bong, who scored 40 aerial victories, and Tommy McGuire, who was credited with 38 kills. However, although more than 10,000 Lightnings were built during the war, the big fighter did not fit into the Air Corps’ post-war plans and was soon retired from service. Today, there are probably fewer than a score of intact Lightning airframes left in the world and only about half a dozen of those are flyable or restorable to flying condition. The Museum’s P-38 was the object of a 13-month restoration project by Steve Hinton’s Fighter Rebuilders at Chino and “Planes of Fame Air Museum” volunteer workers. The Museum’s P-38J, built in Burbank, California and delivered into service in May 1944, has the distinction of being the 5,018th P-38 built – halfway to the total number of “Lightnings” produced. It was assigned to the 483rd Air Base Squadron in Santa Maria, California – a Replacement Training Unit providing combat crew training for P-38s during WWII. In September 1945, the aircraft transferred to the Hancock College of Aeronautics where it was used to instruct maintenance personnel. The Museum acquired the aircraft in 1959. In 1988, it was restored to flight thanks to a generous donation from Bob and Josie Pond. The museum’s P-38 was used in the filming of Iron Eagle III. Courtesy of Planes of Fame, Chino, CA
Bud Granley
The Olympic Flight Museum is pleased to announce the 2023 Olympic Air Show on June 17-18th will feature 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
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
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
Smoke-N-Thunder
The Olympic Flight Museum is pleased to announce the 2023 Olympic Air Show on June 17-18th will feature Smoke-n-Thunder! Out on the taxiway you can hear the deafening roar of an engine and see billowing clouds of smoke. You can feel the reverberations of mini sonic booms. You look up and realize it’s not an aircraft. In front of you is the Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car preparing to accelerate! The vehicle taxis to the runway and prepares to engage the afterburner which shoots 20-foot flames, produces billowing smoke, and mini sonic booms. At the end of the runway, the jet car comes to a standstill. An aircraft above has challenged the driver to a race. Jaws drop as the aircraft approaches. The driver can see that the aircraft is directly overhead. He kicks in the afterburner and accelerates the jet car—he races at speeds approaching 400 mph and overtakes the aircraft in seconds. The driver is pulling 4.5 G’s. As he deploys the parachute to bring the car to a stop, he experiences 11 Gs of negative force. Eyes blinking, the crowd is astonished at what it just witnessed. He waves to the on-lookers as he is towed back to the taxiway and display area, where the crew are available to sign autographs and talk with the crowd. After more than 4,000 performances, Smoke-n-Thunder still thrills the crowds at events all over the United States. http://smoke-n-thunder.com/jet-car
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.