 Michael Goulian Aerosports
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Mike Goulian doesn’t just fly an air show; he attacks it. Millions of air show spectators around the globe have witnessed the ferocity of a Mike Goulian air show performance. Every roll, pull, and tumble of his flight is a deliberate execution of precision. With his aggressive approach to the air show arena, Mike has mastered the ability to convey his message of passion through flight.
Mike’s crisp, athletic style of flying is the evolution of his landmark career as an aerobatic competitor. Mike reached the pinnacle of the sport when he won the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Championship at only 27 years of age. He represented the United States at the World Aerobatic Championship on three separate occasions. Mike also won the famed Red Bull Air Race Championship in Budapest, Hungary in 2009.
As an air show superstar Mike Goulian continues to redefine what is possible in the air. He was recognized for his efforts when the aviation industry bestowed upon him its greatest honors. He is one of a select few to have been awarded both the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award, and the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship.
Today, Mike’s performance is the perfect marriage between man and machine. The only airplane capable of delivering a Mike Goulian performance is the EXTRA 330SC. Composed of high tech, lightweight carbon-fiber and rugged steel construction, the EXTRA 330SC is the world’s most high performance aerobatic airplane.
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Matt Younkin's Twin Beech 18
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Matt Younkin is a third generation pilot. He is the son of legendary airshow pilot Bobby Younkin, who is famous for his amazing aerobatic displays in the AT-6, Beech 18, Learjet 23, Samson, and Super Decathlon. Bobby is considered to be one of the greatest airshow pilots of all time.
Matt learned to fly at the age of 14 in a Piper J-3 Cub. On his sixteenth birthday, Matt soloed his grandfather’s 1928 Travel Air 4000 biplane. He is now proficient in over 50 types of airplanes ranging from the Piper Cub to the North American B-25. He is also a fully rated flight instructor and now has almost 3000 hours of total flying time and currently resides in Siloam Springs, AR. In 2012, Matt received one of the highest aviation industry awards – the coveted Bill Barber Award for Showmanship
Matt’s Twin Beech 18 performance is likely the most unusual act on the airshow circuit today. The Beech 18 was never designed for aerobatic flight; however that doesn’t make it incapable of doing just that.
The performance is almost a mirror image of the one his father Bobby pioneered and flew for over 15 years. It begins with a roll on takeoff followed by a series of Cuban eights, point-rolls, and even a loop. The conclusion is a dirty pass dubbed the “Elephant Waltz” in which Matt rocks the huge transport’s wings more than 90 degrees with the landing gear and flaps extended!
The performance begins and ends to light-hearted music which capitalizes on an overly obese airplane executing maneuvers that its designers and airshow audience members alike never conceived possible for a large transport plane. As a contrast, the majority of the performance flows with beauty and grace to equally beautiful music and a special tribute to Bobby Younkin.
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Paul Fiala's Great Lakes Bi-Plane
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Paul Fiala has been flying for 60 years and has more than 22,000 flying hours. In August 2012, Paul made his retirement flight and closed his log book on his 50+ years of professional flying, retiring as chief pilot and Aviation Department manager for the World Famous King Ranch after more than 35 years.
Paul began flying at the age of 15 and obtained his commercial pilot's license which attending High School in Corpus Christi, TX. In his early career, he was a charter pilot and flight instructor. He served in the US Air Force from 1958-1962. He joined the King Ranch Flight Department in 1975 and completed his Corporate Jet Training in New York as well as the American Airlines Flight Academy in Dallas/ Ft Worth. In 2005, he was awarded the FAA Wright Bros. "Master Pilot" award for 50 years of safe flying and contribution to Aviation.
His hobby and passion is aerobatic flying. He is a member of the International Aerobatic Club and Graduate of the Gene Soucy School of Aerobatics. He has performed for 30 years with many of the world's top performers and military flight teams. He has flown various military aircraft including the F/A18 Hornet with the Blue Angels. In 1987 he received a U.S. Navy Citation for support of Naval Aviation. In 1997 he was recognized for 25 years of air show performances for the U.S. Navy.
Paul and wife Pat live in Houston, TX and operate their Great Lakes Bi Plane out of La Porte, TX.
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John McGillis' Extra 300L
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John McGillis was born and raised on a ranch in the wide open ranges of Montana, but now calls Friendswood home and is based at Ellington. In 1978, he learned to fly in a PA18-150 Super Cub and a Cessna 185. In his 35 years of flying experience, John has flown numerous civilian aircraft models while developing his love of aerobatic manuevers.
While John usually flies an Extra 300L in his thrilling show, John has promised us something different this year, possibly involving a business-class jet!
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Shockwave Jet Truck
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Wanna hear some jet noise?
The World Famous SHOCKWAVE JET TRUCK is the baddest, most impressive jet ground vehicle on the planet! With three afterburning J34-48 jet engines totaling 36,000 horsepower, it's 3 times the smoke, 3 times the fire, and 3 times the noise! SHOCKWAVE is the Guiness Book world record holder for the fastest jet truck in the world at 376 MPH.
As driver/pilot of the Worlds Fastest Jet Powered Truck Neal Darnell has been performing at Airshows for over 10 years. Always interested in jet engines, he thought why not put a military fighter jet engine in a Chevy pickup truck? With a little magic, a lot of money, a little luck, and lots of hard work the first Flash Fire Jet Truck was born. A jet truck with over 12,000 horsepower and capable of speeds approaching 400 miles per hour. But that was not enough!
With son Chris Darnell, Neal and Darnell Racing Enterprises, Inc. acquired the world famous SHOCKWAVE.
Following in his father's footsteps, Chris has been involved in motorsports his entire life. he has competed in many different types of racing over the years from drag racing to circle track and beyond. He has literally done it all. Chris now drives the 2nd Flash Fire Jet Truck in the Darnell Racing Stables, as well as sharing the driving of SHOCKWAVE.
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Tora! Tora! Tora! / WWII Airpower Demo
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Warbird fans will appreciate the World War II airpower demo, recreating many famous battles from WWII with prop-driven aircraft from the round-engine era. Favorite acts include the reenactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor, as well as many other flying examples of WWII trainer, fighter, and bomber aircraft. The sky will be filled with warbirds!
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Korean War 60th Anniversary Special Tribute
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This year, 2013, marks the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War between the Republic of Korea (South Korea), supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), at one time supported by the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union.
The Korean War was the first war in which jet aircraft played a central role. Once-formidable fighters such as the P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, and Hawker Sea Fury — all piston-engined, propeller-driven, and designed during World War II — relinquished their air superiority roles to a new generation of faster, jet-powered fighters such as the P-80 Shooting Star, and F9F Panther. However, the balance would soon shift with the arrival of the swept wing Soviet MiG-15.
The Chinese supplied MiG-15 outflew first-generation UN jets such as the American F-80 and Australian and British Gloster Meteors, posing a real threat to B-29 Superfortress bombers. The USAF moved quickly to counter the MiG-15, with the F-86 Sabre. Although the MiG's higher service ceiling could be advantageous at the start of a dogfight, in level flight both swept wing designs attained comparable maximum speeds of around 660 mph. The MiG climbed faster, but the Sabre turned and dived better.
The Korean War marked a major milestone not only for fixed-wing aircraft, but also for rotorcraft, featuring the first large-scale deployment of helicopters for medical evacuation. Helicopters like the Sikorsky YR-4 and H-19 helped reduce fatal casualties to a dramatic degree when combined with medical innovations such as Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals.
Wings Over Houston pays tribute and remembers those who served and died during the Korean War with this special demonstration.
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B-29 "FIFI" and the CAF Airpower History Tour
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The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was the first very heavy bomber built for the United States Army Air Forces. It was built to replace the older B-17's and B-24's with longer range and greater bomb loads required in the Pacific Theater. The B-29 first flew in 1942 and began service in 1944, was used during the Korean War in the early 1950's, and remained in our US arsenal until the late 1950's.
When the Commemorative Air Force began searching for a B-29 for our collection of WWII aircraft, the war had been over for 21 years. The Superforts that helped end it had long since yielded to new generations of jet-powered strategic bombers, and vanished.
In 1971, a pilot reported sighting a number of B-29s on the California desert near China Lake. The Superforts had been parked at a Navy weapons center for 17 years, used for gunnery targets and abused by heat, sand and vandals. After much negotiation, much paperwork and a pain-staking process of elimination to find the best survivor, the CAF became the owner of B-29 SN44-62070.
Today, FIFI is the only flying B-29 left. FIFI is the Queen of the Commemorative Air Force fleet and now tours along with another rare bomber, tbe B-24 Diamond Lil.
Appearing with FIFI at Wings Over Houston, will be the B-24/LB-30 Diamond Lil, one of only 2 Liberators still flying, and the C-45 Expeditor, Bucket of Bolts.
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Tuskegee Airmen P-51C
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Tuskegee Airmen is a very rare P-51C, restored and dedicated to the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. This P-51C with its bright red tail is one of only 4 C-models left flying. Its mission is now an educational one, helping people – particularly young people – understand and appreciate the history and legacy of a special group of black pilots who fougth the Nazis during WWII – the Tuskegee Airmen.
Visit the RISE ABOVE Traveling Exhibit on display at Wings Over Houston for an impressive, multi-media experience. The inspiring movie highlights how a group of black men overcame the obstacles to be allowed to train and fight as U.S. Army Air Corps pilots. Read more here.
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Lone Star Flight Museum
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 The Lone Star Flight Museum began as a private aircraft collection in June 1985. The acquisition of more aircraft quickly led to a search for a new home. In 1990, construction began at Galveston's Scholes Field. They are beginning a new phase in their operations as they begin construction on an impressive new facility located at Ellington Airport.
Today the Museum displays over 40 historically significant aircraft and over 1500 artifacts that demonstrate the quantum leap in technology - from gliders to space - over the past century. The Museum's flying collection of award winning aircraft annually logs more than 40,000 cross-country air miles to participate in flying displays and air shows. The Lone Star Flight Museum will participate with both flying and static displays during the Airshow.
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Texas Flying Legends Museum
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 Based out of Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas Flying Legends Museum flies their growing collection from Texas to Minot, North Dakota each spring, to Wiscasset, Maine each summer, and back to Texas in the fall. Their mission is to acquire the best flying WWII aircraft available today and campaign these Flying Legends with a sense of inspiration for those who are not aware or involved in the great history of the United States, and most importantly, honor the many that are.
Their collection includes beautiful examples of the A6-M2 Zero, B-25J Mitchell Bomber, two P-51D Mustangs, P-40 Warhawk, and F4U Corsair. Texas Flying Legends Museum will participate with both flying and static displays during the Airshow.
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Lewis Air Legends
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 The Lewis Air Legends world-famous collection started with one T-28 Trojan trainer Rod Lewis purchased in 1995. Rod’s growing squadron now musters 24 flying heroes, along with some of those they fought against. Like the almost mythic Glacier Girl P-38F, each has its own incredible story.
Lewis Air Legends will display a small portion of this maginficent collection at Wings Over Houston. (Participating aircraft to be determined).
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Vietnam War Flight Museum
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The Vietnam War Flight Museum was founded in 2002 by Houston aviator Rick Sharpe and is dedicated to educating the public about the service and sacrifice to the United States by the veterans of the Vietnam War. The collection has a Douglas A-1D Skyraider, Bell UH-1-V "Huey", Douglas AC-47 "Spooky", Beech T-34A "Mentor", and Douglas A-26C "Invader".
The Skyraider and Huey are maintained in airworthy condition and are flown in air shows in the Texas/Lousiana area. The Skyraider and Huey are often on public display at the facilities of the Lone Star Flight Museum in Galveston, TX.
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U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight
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 In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the Heritage Flight program was founded in 1997. Heritage Flight performances of current fighter/attack aircraft flying with World War II, Korea and Vietnam era fighters dramatically display USAF airpower history and honor the brave men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in the USAF.
The Heritage Flight team currently consists of nine civilian pilots qualified to fly vintage warbirds in formation with modern USAF single-ship demonstration teams and F-4 pilots. The Heritage Flight is only flown by select civilian and military pilots who train together to learn the characteristics and differences between the modern jets and the prop-driven warbirds. Heritage Flights seek to honor the contributions of every man and woman who has served in the USAF while educating the general public on the importance of the USAF and its mission.
Heritage Flight formations serve as a living memorial to the men and women who have served—or are currently serving—in the U.S. Air Force and are proudly flown in support of USAF recruiting and retention efforts.
(Aircraft to participate may vary and will consist of privately owned aircraft.)
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EAA Chapter 12
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 The Experimental Aircraft Association is an organization that promotes all forms of recreational aviation. The organization includes interest in homebuilt, experimental, antique and classic, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultra lights, helicopters and commercially manufactured aircraft and the associated technologies.
Chapter 12 of the EAA is proudly based at Ellington Airport, and will be displaying and flying numerous homebuilt and classic aircraft, some of quite different and unique design!
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RE/MAX Skydiving Team
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Soaring through the clouds, the RE/MAX® Skydiving Team is a show-stopping start that leaves crowds wide-eyed and breathless. The jump team will officially "open" the Airshow with an artistic multi-jumper parachute leap over the airfield. The jump team will spiral and swirl trailing smoke, and will unfurl and deliver our Texas and U.S. flags at show center as the National Anthem is played.
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Radio Controlled Model Aircraft
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Warming up the crowds before the opening Airshow act, the scale model radio-controlled aircraft will amaze you with their capabilities. These model aircraft with their 4-ft to 6-ft wingspans are smaller than their full-size cousins but they are just as flyable – but with the pilot standing on the ground! R/C enthusiasts spend hundreds of hours hand-crafting these aircraft, some with amazing detailing. Single-wing, bi-wing, gliders, helicopters, jets, and some very unusual craft may all take to the air during the R/C Demo.
R/C Model Clubs in the Houston area:
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Rob Reider – Airshow Announcer
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Rob Reider – air show announcer, recipient of the coveted ICAS "Sword of Excellence", entertainer, pilot, Midwest television personality, singer, performer, writer, and winner of 5 Emmy awards – has put all his experience into bringing the excitement of air shows "up close and personal" to audiences all over the country. The 2013 air show season marks Rob's 35th year as an announcer making him one of the busiest and most sought-after announcers in North America.
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Ralph Royce – Air Boss
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Any show production is only as good as its choreographer, and our Air Boss, Ralph Royce, is the best in the business! Ralph began flying at 17, is former Executive Director of the CAF, former President of the Lone Star Flight Museum, and founded the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. He is type rated in the B17, TBM, F6F, C60 (L18), and holds an unlimited piston powered letter from the FAA, and has been involved in Air Show production and management since 1976. He has been Air Boss for more than 25 years. Ralph is a recipient of the ICAS "Sword of Excellence", the Lloyd P. Nolen Lifetime Achievement in Aviation award, and many, many other recognitions.
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Where are the Modern Military Airplanes?
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The performers listed below were previously announced and scheduled to appear at Wings Over Houston 2013 and are currently pending. The sequestration portion of the federal 2011 Budget Control Act mandates $500 billion in across-the-board defense spending cuts during the next 10 years. The federal sequestration mandate has currently reduced the military budgets, forcing a halt to all military appearances and performances at airshows.
It is not known at this time if any of them will be available to appear by our airshow dates.
 USAF ThunderbirdsA-10 Warthog West Coast Demo Team
Air Force Heritage Flight with A-10
US Navy F-18 Super Hornet
USMC AV-8 Harrier
US Coast Guard Helicopter Dauphine MH65C
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