Corkscrew / Solos Depart

The 6-ship formation approaches from above right with lights on and is introduced during a steep corkscrew turn.  As the team passes center stage, the two solo pilots depart the wedge by performing a modified Immelman turn. (At the apex of the maneuver, they roll 100 degrees to the right and pull, resulting in a turn away from the show line.)

Head-On Pass

The 4 ship diamond approaches from the left while the solo pilots approach from the right for a head on pass with a closure rate of over 350 MPH. As the formations cross, the slot pilot, fearing a collision,  pulls out of the diamond into a loop.  The slot pilot then chases the leader off stage right to rejoin the diamond.

Heart

The 2 solo pilots approach from the left, pulling into the vertical. The solo lead will complete a loop, as the solo wingman performs a one-half reverse Cuban Eight, passing the leader at the bottom of the maneuver. The smoke comes off as they pass, leaving a heart-shaped trail in the sky. The leader will chandelle off to the left, while the wingman continues into an Immelman, rolling out on top in position to rejoin the lead solo.

Diamond 360

Approaching from the right, the 4 ship diamond executes the steep bank 2.5G, 360 degree turn.  As the diamond completes the turn, the slot pilot exits the diamond and moves off to the right.  

Double-Overtake

The leader slows the Vic or "V" formation to 80 knots, extending the landing gear and flaps as they turn to approach the crowd from left to right.  The solos overtake the diamond at a 120 knot speed differential. To show the energy potential, the solo pilots perform a side-by-side loop, overtaking the diamond a second time before exiting the show line.  As they cross, the slot pilot makes a high speed pass from right to left just below the formation.

Head-On Break/Leader's Choice

Two "V" formations approach head on from left and right with minimal separation.   Just before they pass, the wingmen break away crossing paths at show center and scattering in all directions.  After the break, it is the leader's chance to play.  He pulls up and returns to show center, performing a few solo aerobatic maneuvers of his choice.

Formation Loop

The 2 solo pilots and the slot pilot approach from the right in a 3 ship V formation.  They execute a formation loop and on exiting the loop break individually into sequential half Cuban Eight maneuvers.   

Squirrel Cage Loop

After pulling out from the half Cuban Eights, the wingmen follow the same flight path as the lead solo through a "squirrel cage" loop before exiting off stage to the right.  

Switchblade

The number 2 and 3 pilots, in close formation, approach from the behind the crowd.  After passing overhead, they break toward each other, creating the illusion of an imminent collision and leaving a knot in the smoke trail.

Bomburst

The solo lead brings the diamond formation in from behind the crowd.  At show center, the flight pulls into the vertical.  When vertical, they "explode" into a bomb burst.   The slot rolls 180 degrees and the wingmen roll 90 degrees left and right, pulling down to the horizon.  The solo lead continues pulling to inverted.  When all are level inverted, they roll out, exiting to the right while the left wingman performs a split-s to chase the formation and rejoin the wedge.  

Missing Man

An emotional narration explaining the missing man tribute and honoring those who have died in the line of duty precedes the approach of the 6 ship wedge.  As taps begins, the #3 pilot turns off his lights and smoke and departs, leaving the missing man formation to pass in front of the crowd.

Whifferdills

Diving down from behind the crowd to build energy, the 6 ship wedge flies a series of steep wingover or "whifferdill" maneuvers.  The formation skills of the pilots are put to the test by the steep banks and and large speed variations, while showing off the beauty of the 6 ship wedge formation.

Pop-Top Immelman Break

The team approaches into the wind, in their wedge formation. At show center, they are re-introduced by the narrator as they individually break to the downwind.  They extend the landing gear and flaps and follow the leader to the runway for a staggered landing or for a final pass down the show line at remote sites.

Smoke Salute

The precision formation work does not end with the landing.  Time and show line layout permitting, the team performs a special "smoke salute" on their way to parking.  Passing in front of the crowd, the team does a simultaneous flanking turn toward the show line, stops and turns on their lights and smoke.  After the salute to their audience, they flank again and continue in formation to parking.

Corkscrew / Solos Depart

The 6-ship formation approaches from above right with lights on and is introduced during a steep corkscrew turn.  As the formation passes the two solo pilots pull up and break right - departing the formation.

Head-On Pass

The 4 ship diamond approaches from the left while the solo pilots approach from the right for a head on pass with a closure rate of over 350 MPH. As the formations cross, the slot pilot, fearing a collision,  pulls out of the diamond into a high performance climb  The slot pilot then chases the leader off stage right to rejoin the diamond.
                                                 

Switchblade

The 2 solo pilots, in close formation, approach from the behind the crowd.  After passing overhead, they break toward each other, creating the illusion of an imminent collision and leaving a knot in the smoke trail.

Diamond 360

Approaching from the right, the 4 ship diamond executes the steep bank 2.5G, 360 degree turn.  As the diamond completes the turn, the slot pilot exits the diamond and moves off to the right.  

                                                 

Double Overtake

The leader slows the Vic or "V" formation to 80 knots, extending the landing gear and flaps as they turn to approach the crowd from left to right.  The solos overtake the diamond at a 120 knot speed differential.  To show the energy potential, the solo pilots perform  side-by-side steep 360 degree turns, overtaking the diamond a second time before exiting the show line.  As they cross, the slot pilot makes a high speed pass from right to left just below the formation.

                                                

Hurricane

Two groups of 3 airplanes in echelon formation (airplanes formed up in a line) approach from the left and right.  As they pass they execute simultaneous fan breaks behind each other, forming the familiar hurricane symbol in the smoke.

                                                

Head-On "Lufbery" Break

Two "V" formations approach head on from left and right with minimal separation.  Just before they pass, the wingmen break away crossing paths at show center and scattering in all directions.  After the break, they simultaneously make a hard left turn forming a pinwheel in the sky.  This was inspired by a defensive maneuver created by WW1 Ace, Major Raoul Lufbery.

Crazy Eight

While in-trail, the airplanes enter a figure 8 maneuver, alternately crossing above and below each other while drawing a figure 8 in the smoke.  When this maneuver was first performed at an airshow, one observer said it looked like a demolition derby in the sky.  Since then it has been called the Crazy Eight.

Missing Man

An emotional narration explaining the missing man tribute and honoring those who have died in the line of duty precedes the approach of the 6 ship wedge.  As taps begins, the #3 pilot turns off his lights and smoke and departs, leaving the missing man formation to pass in front of the crowd.

Whifferdill

Diving down from behind the crowd to build energy, the 6 ship wedge flies a series of steep wingover or "whifferdill" maneuvers.  The formation skills of the pilots are put to the test by the steep banks and and large speed variations, while showing off the beauty of the 6 ship wedge formation.

Pop-Top Break

The team approaches into the wind, in their wedge formation. At show center, they are re-introduced by the narrator as they individually break to the downwind.  They extend the landing gear and flaps and follow the leader to the runway for a staggered landing or for a final pass down the show line at remote sites.

                                               

Smoke Salute 

The precision formation work does not end with the landing.  Time and show line layout permitting, the team performs a special "smoke salute" on their way to parking.  Passing in front of the crowd, the team does a simultaneous flanking turn toward the show line, stops and turns on their lights and smoke.  After the salute to their audience, they flank again and continue in formation to parking.

Click the logo for a short video.