- Z. Heffley
- J. Wicker
- L. Ross
- C. Fantoba
- G. Thomas
- M. Gallaway
- H. Tolson
Zach Heffley started formal flying lessons at the age of 7 with this father and uncles, in Fort Worth, TX. He soloed on his 16th birthday and was a licensed pilot on his 17th. Within a week of this, he flew his first airshow. This started his love of performing in airplanes. An accomplished trumpet player, Zach is at home in front of a crowd. In 2007, as a member of the United States Aerobatic Team, Zach won the Freestyle portion of the World Aerobatic Contest. Flying against the best pilots in the world that day, Zach fulfilled lifelong dream to have a Gold Medal at the World level. Zach lives in Texas, with his family, and is a corporate pilot for a major clothing manufacturer.
Get ready to be amazed and take a step back in time at your airshow as Jane brings back the golden age of barnstorming. She offers a performance unlike any other. Her wing walking act will thrill the crowds like no other you have ever seen. Jane climbs and transverses the airplane without a safety cable. She is the only female wing walker in North America who not only hangs beneath the airplane, but sits on the underside of the wing during the inverted pass down the show line.
9 years experience, 1100 jumps
Lives in Dallas.
Laurie will jump from our helicopter from 4000’, sporting red, white and blue streamers to open the show, and she will land in the traffic circle.
Cástor Fantoba Lerendegui Born in Pamplona, Spain 1966. An Aeronautical Engineer by training, Cástor’s passion for flying drove him to become a professional pilot. He gained his extensive flying experience in different areas such as aerial advertising, skywriting, crop-dusting and water-bombing.
He is an Airline Captain, qualified in Boeing 737/757/767.
Grew up in a flying family; third generation aviator. Started as a very young boy building model airplanes and model rockets. Around age 12 began flying radio control airplanes which would later come into play with flying aerobatics. My passion for flying has always been ever since I could remember. My dad would take me to airshows as a kid and I was amazed at what these men and woman could do with the planes. My inspiration came from the late Leo Loudenslager; whom was 7 time US National Aerobatic Champion. I wrote Leo a letter in 8th grade and he sent me an autographed picture back. I have it still today hanging up.
When Mike is not flying,you can see him on the announcer stand, in fact Mike has been the commentator for the Red Bull Air Race World Series since its’ inception. He has literally been around the globe with Red Bull , having narrated in 8 races thus far. Mike has also narrated for some of the top air show pilots , including , Mike Goulian, Sean Tucker, Kirby Chambliss , and many others. Mike’s high energy style of flying is evident on the announcer stand so keep an ear open when Mike takes the stage.
At the end of the performance, Hubie will pull the Sukhoi into a vertical climb at crowd center. While going straight up, Hubie will kill the magneto switches, completely stopping the engine and prop. The aircraft then slides backwards toward the ground, and as gravity works, the nose swings around the tail. With the prop still stopped, Hubie pushes the airplane along the full length of the show line, inverted, gliding, in total silence.
Hubie is the only pilot in the world who performs this maneuver.
Performers Overview
Performers from around the world will be present to help us celebrate Independence Day and New Bern's 300th Anniversary. We are fortunate to have professional aerobatic pilots including the reigning World Aerobatic Champion Zachery Heffley in our program. We will also be able to enjoy Jane Wicker, a wing walker that offers a performance unlike any other. Mike Gallaway will be on the microphone keeping all the spectators up-to-date on the maneuvers performed.