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MILITARY ACTS
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U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
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We welcome back the USAF Thunderbirds as our feature act of WOH 2010.
The demonstration show team of the United States Air Force will grace the skies over Ellington Airport with amazing four- and six-ship flight formations, and breathtaking head-on passes by the two solo pilots.
 From their fabled past to their storied present, the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is the premier demonstration squadron of the most elite air and space force the world has ever known. They are the best of the best: U.S. Air Force professionals teamed together to present precision aerial maneuvers that exhibit the capabilities of modern, high performance aircraft and the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft.
The demonstrations themselves are unimaginable before you see them and unforgettable afterwards, but that is only a small fraction of what this team represents. The Air Force is engaged in global operations every day, fighting the Global War on Terror, defending our homeland, providing strategic deterrence and giving our nation unparalleled global vigilance, reach and power.
The United States Air Force Thunderbirds roll in to their 57th season representing the pride, precision and professionalism of the nearly 70,000 active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and civilian Airmen serving around the world. The team strives to tell their story to people at home and abroad.
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F-16 Fighting Falcon 
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Wings Over Houston is very honored to have the Viper West Demo Team perform at our 2010 Airshow! It is very rare that the ACC F-16 solo demo appears at the same airshow as both the Thunderbirds and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. It is a privilege to have three USAF demonstration teams this year!
The F-16, known as the Viper among fighter pilots, is a compact, multi-role fighter aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven itself in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. It provides a relatively low-cost, high-performance weapon system for the United States and allied nations. In an air combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius exceed that of all potential threat fighter aircraft. In an air-to-surface role, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, deliver its weapons with superior accuracy, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and return to its starting point.
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C-130H Tactical Special Forces Jump
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Imagine jumping out of an airplane at 30,000 feet where the air is a bone-chilling -30°F and so thin that you have to carry an oxygen bottle with you as you jump. If you accidentally opened your parachute at that altitude, it would be turned into confetti.
That is what a newly Houston-based USAF Special Forces Forward Controllers unit does as part of their job...jumping into situations from an altitude so high that their jump plane is often thought to be just a commercial airliner and is ignored.
As an introduction to Houston, up to ten of these Special Forces operatives will exit a C-130H for a tactical jump into Ellington Airport from 12,500 feet (our max ceiling for the Airshow!). The C-130H jump plane is from the 136th Airlift Wing in Fort Worth.
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A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II
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The A/OA-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles. Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines.
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C-17 Globemaster III Demo
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The C-17 Globemaster III is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area. The aircraft is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The design of the aircraft allows it to operate through small, austere airfields. The C-17 can take off and land on runways as short as 3,000 feet and only 90 feet wide.
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C-47 and C-17 Transport Heritage Flight (Pending)
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The C-47 Skytrain will pair off with its modern cousin, the C-17 Globemaster in a new and unusal heritage flight. Side-by-side, they will make passes along the flight line so you can compare the modern with the historical in this amazing photo opportunity!
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Air Force Heritage Flight
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The USAF Heritage Flight, this year featuring the A-10 Thunderbolt II, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-51 Mustang will take to the skies and make formation passes along the flight-line allowing you to compare the two eras of jets and warbirds. The Air Force 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. (Aircraft to participate may vary.)
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AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopter Demo
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The AH-64A Apache is the Army's primary attack helicopter. It is a quick-reacting, airborne weapon system that can fight close and deep to destroy, disrupt, or delay enemy forces. The Apache is designed to fight and survive during the day, night, and in adverse weather throughout the world. The principal mission of the Apache is the destruction of high-value targets with the HELLFIRE missile. The Apaches are from the Texas Army National Guard based at Ellington Airport.
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US Coast Guard HH-65C Dauphine Helicopter Demo
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The United States Coast Guard will demonstrate the effectiveness of its short range recovery helicopter, the Aerospatiale Dauphine ("Dolphin") HH-65C. The Dolphin will "rescue" a person from the ground, demonstrating one if its important capabilities to the Coast Guard. The USCG rotary wing aircraft (HH-65 Dolphin and HH-60 Jayhawk helicopters) operate from flight-deck equipped Cutters, Air Stations and Air Facilities. The HH-65C is based at CGAS Houston.
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US Navy F/A-18C Hornet Demo Team
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The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin engine, mid-wing, all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. The F/A-18C model is a single seat aircraft. The Hornet is the nations first true strike-fighter capable aircraft. It was designed for traditional strike aircraft missions without compromising its fighter capabilities. In fighter mode, the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection, interdiction, and close air support. The demo pilot is Lt. David "Pork" Dartez of the VFA-125 Rough Riders.
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CIVILIAN ACTS
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Sean D. Tucker and Team Oracle
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 No one who has seen a performance by Sean D. Tucker will ever forget it. Tucker's work in the Oracle Bi-Plane provides his audiences with feats that are truly death-defying. More than half of Sean's maneuvers are original and have never been duplicated by another aerobatic pilot. During his performance, Sean will fly the Oracle Challenger backwards at a speed of more than 100 mph, cut three ribbons in a single pass, perform his legendary "Centrifuge" and "Son of Edwin" manuevers. The G-forces exerted on Sean when he is flying are greater than those on the pilots in modern fighters like the Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels.
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Julie Clark's American Aerobatics
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 The 2010 air show season marks the 30th anniversary for American Aerobatics! Julie's aerobatic routine in her restored CHEVRON Mentor T-34 is remarkable in its beauty and splendor and even more remarkable in that she exhibitis elegance in an airplane with flying manners best described as rugged. Her unique and patriotic presentation is breathtakingly choreographed to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA". Julie is sponsored by Chevron Corporation.
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Debby Rihn-Harvey
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Debby holds the title of U.S. National Aerobatic Champion for 2006, 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Debby won the Mike Murphy Trophy making her the highest ranking competitor in the United States. She holds the Betty Skelton trophy for highest-ranked female eleven times! She is also the longest standing member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatics Team, qualifying to represent the U.S. fourteen times in World Aerobatic Championships in North America and Europe. In world competition, Rihn-Harvey has been a Gold Medalist. Debby flies a Cap 232 known as the Hurricane 2.
Debby is also a captain for Southwest Airlines. She also owns a flight school and fixed-base operation at La Porte Municipal Airport. Her aerobatics school attracts pilots from around the world.
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John Klatt
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John Klatt Airshows brings world class power aerobatics to air shows all across America. The Air National Guard has teamed with John to bring you a truly unique experience. There’s no other pilot like John flying air shows today. Weekends he flies air shows; during the week, he’s a professional pilot for a major national carrier and his third flying job is as Lieutenant Colonel John Klatt in the cockpit of an Air National Guard F-16. His flying will excite you, inspire you and will not be soon forgotten.
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Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Shows
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 As it's escorted to the runway, it looks like a long, low toy, but that big Westinghouse J34-48 jet engine sticking out of the back visually says "Stand Back!" The Smoke-n-Thunder USO Jet Car is a 26-foot long rocket that never leaves the ground. Its Westinghouse jet engine churns 10,000 horsepower and pumps about 6,000 pounds of thrust. When driver Bill Braack cranks it, this jet car can hit a speed of 400 mph in eight seconds. If it traveled any longer or faster, it would struggle to become airborne. Bill prefers that it stay on the ground and beat air show performers foolish enough to try to match their planes up against the USO Jet Car. He even gives them a head start and the USO Jet Car still wins.
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Korea / Vietnam Firepower Demo
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Returning this year will be a firepower demonstration with the Korea / Vietnam era aircraft. Aircraft such as the Huey helicopter, AD-4 Skyraider, O-2 Forward Air Command "Oscar Duece", and AC-47 Spooky Gunship. These were some of the aircraft used during the Korean conflict and the Vietnam war.
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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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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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John McGillis' Extra 300L
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Special Note: John McGillis has very graciously stepped down as a performer at our 2010 Airshow to make room in the schedule for Debby Rihn-Harvey to fly. We thank John for his support and look forward to his participation in 2011!
John 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 28 years of flying experience, John has flown numerous civilian aircraft models while developing his love of aerobatic manuevers. He has flown in competition in a Pitts and Extra 300S, and currently flies an Extra 300L in his thrilling show. John has competed in numerous aerobatic competitions and has won the "Highest Scoring First-Time Competitor" award.
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Glacier Girl P-38
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Early morning on July 15, 1942, six Lockheed P-38's escorting two Boeing B-17's, were airborne on their way to Iceland. Hampered by bad weather and low on fuel, they were forced to land on the eastern coast of Greenland. After several days the pilots were rescued and planes were left to be recovered at a later date.
In the spring of 1992, the Greenland Expedition Society returned to Greenland for their fifth recovery attempt and using steam burrowed through 268 feet of ice to reach one of the Lockheed P-38s and brought it up piece by piece to the surface.
A decade later, on October 26th, 2002, after thousands of hours of work, the P-38 they recovered, now dubbed "Glacier Girl," took flight again. In March, 2007, Glacier Girl was sold to Lewis Aeronautical and now resides in San Antonio, Texas.
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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 2010 air show season marks Rob's 32nd year as an announcer making him one of the busiest and most sought-after announcers in North America.
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