On the Flight Line
Here is the list of performers for the 2024 airshow. Keeping checking this list to see the latest aerial acts presenting at the airshow.
Susan Dacy
And Big Red
Susan is one of only a few females performing airshows in a biplane, and is the only woman flying exhibition in the Super Stearman. Attending airshows as a child, Susan remembers being in awe of the big, loud, smoky biplanes. As a teenager, yearning to fly, Susan felt the only way to fly a Stearman was to have one of her own. At the family airport, located inHarvard, Illinois, Susan worked in the office, fueled planes, and eventually acquired a rebuildable Stearman Project. While in high school, every spare hour was spent restoring the aircraft, which she still owns and operates today.
Michael Vaknin
Extra 300
Michael’s passion for flight started at the age of 18, as a paratrooper, and later as an airborne instructor. In his 4 years of service, Michael has performed hundreds of static line jumps, sky-dives from C-130's, DC-3's and more.
Passion for aviation led Michael to take flying lessons and earn his commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates. Instructing at local flight schools Michael logged hundreds of hours helping new pilots achieve their goals in aviation.
The affair with aerobatics started immediately after earning the private pilot certificate, a short ride in a ZLIN Z-242 and Mike was hooked.
Today Michael is an active IAC Competitor and an ICAS member, performing at air shows around the Country.
Michael’s style brings precision, speed, head dazzling Gyroscopic and high G maneuvers to airshow center.
To maintain proficiency during the contest and air show seasons, Michael flies twice a day, five days a week.
Michael is currently employed as a professional pilot flying business jets
Erik Edgren
T-Clips
Erik Edgren A.K.A. Hobie Washburn, is a natural airshow performer – personable to the public, engaging to the media and a rare, polished stick and rudder pilot. His family-friendly comedy and finesse aerobatics act make him a unique change of pace and entertaining addition to any airshow. Erik can’t remember his first airplane ride…because he wasn’t born yet! He began “training” at the age of 6. He sat on his father’s lap and flew on instruments. Erik was ready for solo at the age of 8 thru the use of a tailor made seat and control extensions. At age 10, he learned spins, which sparked his lifelong passion for aerobatics.
Erik has worked as a Flight Instructor, an Instructor/Pilot for an air combat school in the AT-6/SNJ and as a Corporate Pilot in Lear Jets, Kings Airs, etc. He has flown over 140 different makes and models of aircraft. A farmer by trade, Erik takes to the air as naturally as he plants his fields. A modest but gifted pilot, Erik is thrilled to be living his dream flying a one of a kind comedy/aerobatic act in the “T-Clips.”
The “T-Clips” was originally built by Taylorcraft in 1939. It was “Clipped” for aerobatics in 1997 by Steve Givens using a mix of both the Swick and Legendary Duane Cole plans. Erik has further modified the T-Clips with inverted fuel and oil and airshow smoke systems making it an optimal and unique “up close and personal”, crowd-pleasing airshow machine. It may be the only Clip T performing in airshows today with the “old school” Continental C-85.
Airshows are a family affair for the Edgrens. Erik’s beautiful wife Stephanie and his son John enjoy flying and attend almost every airshow with Erik.
Bob Richards
Machaira
Bob Richards grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, watching airshows and flying remote controlled models. He is a graduate of the Purdue University Flight Program, where he received his first aerobatic training in a DeHavilland Chipmunk in 1992. Bob flew his first biplane in 2003 and performed his first airshow in 2006. Bob is a certified motorcycle mechanic and now lives near Chicago, IL. Bob raced street motorcycles for over 10 years, winning expert series regional and national championship road races in Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki motorcycles. Bob had flown a stock 180 hp Pitts S1S in airshows for 10 seasons, accumulating thousands of hours in that aircraft, before purchasing and performing in his custom built single place Pitts with more power, different wings and a three bladed propeller. Bob's desire for more power was realized when he acquired 'Machaira', a custom built aircraft, producing 325 hp, previously owned by expert designer, builder and airshow performer Doug Dodge. Bob Looks forward to dazzling airshow attendees and aviation enthusiasts with the unique, high-energy performance of 'Machaira' - 'Machaira, named for the Greek word meaning two-edged sword.
Major Lindsay M. “MAD” Johnson
A-10 Demo Team
Major Lindsay Johnson is the A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team Pilot and Commander, DavisMonthan AFB, Arizona. She is responsible for showcasing the A-10 Thunderbolt II at over 20 airshows annually around the country, as well as internationally. She is also responsible for leadership of a 10-person team that includes maintenance and public affairs Airmen. She and the team highlight the capabilities of the A-10, as well as pay tribute to Air Force history by flying formation flights with the Heritage Flight Foundation. Maj Johnson commissioned through the United States Air Force Academy in 2014 where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences – Human Factors. She has since earned a master’s degree in aviation safety from the Florida Institute of Technology. Maj Johnson has served in Texas, Korea and Arizona. As a veteran instructor pilot, she has amassed over 1,380 flight hours, including 431 combat flight hours in support of both Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and the Resolute Support Mission. Prior to her current position, Maj Johnson was an Instructor Pilot and Flight Commander, 357th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
Misty Blues Skydiving Team
There are approximately 35,000 active skydivers in North America, and only 15% are women! The Misty Blues team is 100% women. The ladies on the team come from all across the US to demonstrate their amazing skydiving skills. Since the early 1980’s The Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Team has been thrilling audiences at air shows, corporate events and other special occasions around the world. These exceptionally talented and brave ladies delight in displaying their parachuting talents that make them some of the most skilled skydivers in the world. They do things in the air that make people look up into the sky and feel excitement, patriotism or the thrill of a shocking visual treat.
Ladies for Liberty
Ladies for Liberty have been known for their renditions of 1940s, WWII, 1950s Korean War Era, and 1960s Vietnam War Era music. We are still presenting this program of the Andrew Sisters style of music through their own rendition of vocals, costumes, hairstyles and the spirit of patriotism reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s.
The Best of the Rest
Phil Dacy – Airshow Announcer
Setting the pace for any event, Phil Dacy brings to the center stage an enthusiastic style of airshow announcing that is ‘second to none’. Having accumulated over 10,000 hours as a pilot in a variety of aircraft, Phil’s extensive knowledge and experience bring sponsors, spectators and media to the ‘front row’ in experiencing the finest in airshow entertainment.
Phil is recognized in the industry for his trademark dedication, experience, knowledge and commitment to airshows and aviation. A genuine interest and familiarity with aircraft ranging from small, single engine planes, to today’s military fighter aircraft, Phil is able to ‘put attendees in the cockpit’, or ‘on the wing’ of the aircraft, as no other announcer can!From fly-ins and corporate outings to the large, ‘jet team’ shows and military open houses, Phil brings over twenty years of professional experience to the show-line.
Phil’s expertise in announcing comes from personal experience having flown aircraft ranging from taildraggers to jets. When not performing in Airshows, Phil is employed as the VP of Flight Operations/Director of Operations and as a pilot with Priester Aviation, a Chicago based (Chicago Executive – formerly Palwaukee) Charter Company. Phil is Captain on their Hawker 4000.
Scott Duck - Airboss
One of a limited number of certified Airbosses (certified to airboss ALL events to include major jet team shows) working the airshow circuit, Scott brings a wealth of knowledge to all safety aspects of the event. Coordinating with FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and local emergency management & response representatives, Scott's focus is on the safe orchestration of the event, both in the air & on the on ground. Growing up on his father's strip in Michigan, aviation, airshows and being a volunteer at Oshkosh had always been a part of Scott's childhood.
A private pilot and the owner of a 1947 Piper Vagabond, Scott began working more intensely with airshows and special events in 1993, as a member of the Elkhart Indiana based Flightline Safety Organization, designed to recognize and address the comprehensive safety issues of events. As an Airboss with Dacy Airshows for more than twenty years, Scott brings his vast knowledge, efficiency and enthusiasm to the event arena, earning him the respect of military and civilian performers and event organizers alike. Whether as an Airboss, Ramp Boss, or assisting in the operational planning of an event, Scott's commitment and dedication to aviation and airshows make him a tremendous asset to any event team . . . small or large . . . military or civilian. When not participating in airshows and special events, Scott owns and operates a heating & cooling business in the Michiana (Michigan/Indiana) region, where he resides with his wife Penny
