Geico Skytypers Post Giant Messages in the Skies Over Long Island

Air Show Performance team types giant messages in the sky and performs a low-level precision formation demonstration during the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach
Farmingdale, NY (May 14, 2013) – The GEICO Skytypers are scheduled to participate in the 2013 Bethpage Credit Union at Jones Beach Air Show taking place Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-26.

The GEICO Skytypers may be best known for typing giant dot-matrix style messages over the skies across the northeast.  However, during the air show, guests and neighboring residents to the Jones Beach area will have a chance to view a thrilling, low-altitude, precision-formation flying demonstration. The pilots fly six WWII-vintage aircraft, filling the sky and coming from all directions to provide spectators a unique viewing experience while showcasing the tactics and maneuvers utilized during training during WWII.

Each World War II-era plane has been fully restored and equipped with a computer that coordinates the smoke puffs released from each of the aircraft to form the skytyped messages that are as tall as the Empire State Building.

“The contrast between the advanced technology utilized to produce these messages paired with a 1940s vintage aircraft is truly unique,” said Steve Kapur, GEICO Skytypers marketing officer and reserve pilot.  “We consider it a privilege to fly these warbirds on behalf of GEICO at air shows all across the U.S.”.

NEW this year to the air show, the Miss GEICO Victory catamaran will challenge a team member from the GEICO Skytypers in a high-speed, sea-air duel for sponsorship bragging rights.

The Miss GEICO Victory is the fourth iteration of the powerboat team’s racing catamaran and, in partnership with Mercury Racing, the first of their fleet to employ piston-powered engines. The 50-foot watercraft has been designed to house twin Mercury 1650 RACE Sterndrive engines that produce nearly 3,300 horsepower and top speeds exceeding 200 mph.

Meanwhile, Tom Daly, GEICO Skytyper #6 and Dowling College Director of Academic and Flight Training Programs, will break away after the team’s air show performance and attempt to outrun the speedboat in an exhibition race. While the Miss GEICO is capable of higher top speeds than the North American SNJ-2 flown by the Skytypers, weather conditions handicap the watercraft and even the odds.  Skill and expertise will prove the ultimate victor in this battle.

The air show takes place May 25 and 26 from 10am-3pm.  For more information, visit www.jonesbeachairshow.com.

About the GEICO Skytypers
The GEICO Skytypers are the only flying unit in the world that performs at air shows typing messages in the sky. For more information on the GEICO Skytypers, visit geicoskytypers.com.  The team can also be found on Facebook,  Twitter and YouTube To request more information or a 2013 electronic press kit, please write or call the contacts listed below.

About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually.  The company is pleased to serve more than 11 million private passenger customers and insures more than 18 million vehicles (auto & cycle).

GEICO’s online service center helps policyholders take care of policy sales, policy changes, claims reporting and to print insurance ID cards.

GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for boats, life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency.  Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.

For more information, go to www.geico.com.