Page 3 - Aerotech News and Review, April 7, 2017

AIR SHOW, from 2
Referring to the video, several fe- male residents commented that the flying looked like a lot of hard work. “They must be very strong — and are they ever cute!” said one resident as she blushed like a teenager.
F-15 pilot Capt. Evan Erickson of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, has applied to be a Thunderbird and is accompany- ing the team to see how they conduct themselves in the communities they visit. “Flying is very cool but I think one of the best parts is on the ground, hanging with the team and seeing how truly sincere they are,” said Erickson, as he met with the veterans.
Ken Lawrence of GEM Mortgage, who brings 10 pies every month for residents’ birthday parties, also do- nates a unique plaque annually to the home which is later autographed by the pilots. “Just make sure you hang it above the Blue Angels’ display,” joked one pilot.
“To see the mutual respect and ex- change between the generations and to see how curious the Thunderbirds are about our residents is very impres- sive,” acknowledged Elvie Ancheta, the home’s administrator. “Who knows, maybe someday the Thunderbirds will
be residents here also.”
Make-A-Wish family members were
special guests on Friday and enjoyed front row seats to watch the practice run while hanging out in the perform- er’s tent. “My favorite part was when they made a heart and a flower in the sky,” said 10-year old Owen Mooney. Owen was diagnosed at 27 months with leukemia.
“Cancer is rough for the entire fam- ily,” said his mother, Roz. “Owen’s brother was eight when Owen was diagnosed and most of the attention went to Owen and his care.” Roz and her husband, Jim, were very thankful for Make-A-Wish and the Thunderbird team for their hospitality and amazing support. “To see the pilots playing Go Fish and making the children feel so special is truly heartwarming,” she said.
Each year the air show brings in a few new performers and is in constant state of improvement.
This year they introduced “The VIP Experience” where guests could pur- chase different levels of tickets and view the show from the chalet area which is normally reserved for major sponsors.
Roscoe and Glen from New Zealand bought VIP tickets and will be back again next year. “It is the best seat in the house, even better than Lockheed’s tent,” said Roscoe with a wink. He said next year he may even buy a ticket to take a spin on the runway in a Ferrari or Lamborghini. “Where else can you go 160 MPH and not worry about getting a ticket?” Other than the wind, Roscoe and his friend had no complaints, add- ing that if they didn’t have NASCAR tickets already for Sunday, they would be back to see the show again.
Since the number of takeoffs equaled the number of safe landings, Air Show Executive John Fergione said it was a very successful show.
“The Aviation History panels were a huge success as was the STEM Ex- hibition and the Red, White and Boom VIP Experience packages we initiated this year,” explained Fergione. “Over- all, I am exceptionally pleased with the performance of our staff and vol- unteers for safely accomplishing what I am calling our first in-house air show. I had my doubts last year, but we did it in style. The good vastly outweighed the not-so-good comments we received.”
April 7, 2017
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