Wednesday, April 28, 2010

ICAS Fast Facts -- April 28, 2010

SEBE PASSES

On Wednesday, April 21, Lieutenant James Sebe, team captain of the 2009 Canadian Forces Skyhawk Parachute Demonstration Team, died peacefully in his sleep as a result of a ruptured brain aneurysm. A native of Montreal, Sebe was 41 years old. 

A memorial service was held in Trenton, Ontario on Monday, April 26. A funeral was held at the Saint-Leon de Westmount Church in Montreal today (Wednesday, April 28).

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations  be made to either the Canadian Red Cross (click here for link to Canadian Red Cross website) or the Wounded Warriors Fund, P.O. Box 141 Stn Brooklyn, Whitby, Ontario L1M 1B5. (Click here for link to Wounded Warriors website.)

KOSS SELECTED TO LEAD BLUES IN 2011-2012

Commander David E. Koss will assume command of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels in November of 2010 and lead the team through the 2011 and 2012 air show seasons.

Currently serving as commanding officer of strike fighter squadron VFA-14 in Lemoore, California, Koss was selected from among a group of seven finalists by a panel of admirals and former team members.

Commander Greg McWherter, the team’s current commanding officer, will turn over leadership of the team to Koss during a change of command ceremony following the Blue Angels’ final show of the season in Pensacola on November 14.

SALINAS RECEIVES TOP HONORS

The California International Air Show (CIAS) in Salinas, California, recently was presented with the Silver Telly Award, the highest honor awarded by the Telly Awards Council.  The award was for the production of a television commercial used to promote the 2009 CIAS.  Less than one-tenth of the 11,000 entries in this prestigious annual award competition are selected to receive the coveted Silver Telly. The commercial was produced for CIAS by TMD Creative, a Salinas-based marketing and design agency.

The same commercial took home second place in the 2009 ICAS Marketing Competition.

ROCKET RACING LEAGUE HOLDS DEMO SHOW

The Rocket Racing League (RRL) held the first-ever QuikTrip Air and Rocket Racing Show at Tulsa International Airport on April 24. Two rockets raced on an imaginary track of rings projected into pilots’ helmets and for the crowd on jumbotrons.

Bridenstine Racing Team Owner and Chief Pilot Jim Bridenstine said the show was a demonstration of RRL technologies for later races. “Over the next year or two, you’re going to see the Rocket Racing League participate in air shows,” said Bridenstine. “We’ll demonstrate this technology on the air show circuit, building fan base and audience and eventually stand alone events.”

According to Bridenstine, witnessing a rocket race on the imaginary track is an impressive feat. “They’ve got amazing acceleration,” said Bridenstine. “If you think of an F-16 in afterburner; it’s louder than that. It’s crazy loud.”

THUNDER IN THE VALLY SURVEYS TO IMPROVE

The organizers of the Thunder in the Valley Air Show in Columbus, Georgia are so committed to making their show better from one year to the next that they have integrated a post-event survey to help identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for possible improvement.

Using the on-line survey tool Survey Monkey, Thunder in the Valley queries performers, static display participants, committee members, airport management, volunteers, and concessionaires on a wide range of issues, including communications, contractual issues, arrival and departure arrangements, car rental, hotel accommodations, air show air and ground operations, and security arrangements.

“The Thunder in the Valley Air Show committee is striving to meet the needs of all air show participants by providing excellent customer service,” says Chair and Event Coordinator Phaedra Childers."To that end, we’ve created this customer service satisfaction survey to help refine the role and services provided to all Thunder in the Valley Air Show participants.”

Once responses have been received and tallied, the organizing committee will use the feedback to help plan and improve the group’s next air show in 2011.

BOOTHS FOR 2010 ICAS CONVENTION NOW AVAILABLE

Exhibitors who reserved booths for the 2010 ICAS Convention during the space draw session on Tuesday, December 8th of last year have now had their booth selections confirmed. In keeping with ICAS policy, the remaining booths are now available for other members to reserve.  With 124 booths available, ICAS encourages all of our members to make the decision now to reserve their booths for the 2010 ICAS Convention, December 5 – 8 this year at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.  For information on exhibiting at the 2010 ICAS Convention, click here, or contact Karen Connors at connors@airshows.aero or 703-779-8510.


© International Council of Air Shows, Inc.
750 Miller Drive SE, Suite F-3
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Phone: 703-779-8510

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