GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team to Perform at the??Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show
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PITTSBURGH, PA (April 2017) ??? The world famous GEICO Skytypers air show team will take flight at the 2017 Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show May 20-21.?? The squadron of six World War II-era aircraft will perform their low-level, precision-flying demonstration at the Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown.
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“The SNJs flown by our team were originally used as training aircraft for WWII and Korean war pilots,” says Team Flight Lead Larry Arken.?? “We consider it an honor to demonstrate the amazing abilities of these vintage warbirds on behalf of our sponsor, GEICO, while sharing a bit of aviation history.?? At more than 75 years old, the SNJ-2 is a testament to the engineering genius of the Greatest Generation.?? These planes are a dream to fly.”
The GEICO Skytypers fly six SNJs powered by 600-horsepower Pratt and Whitney engines.?? As a training aircraft, the SNJ can perform all the maneuvers of a fighter plane at slower speeds.?? The historic sound of the vintage engines fills the air as the team exhibits more than 20 different tactical maneuvers during its 22-minute, low-level flying demonstration.
The “Skytypers” portion of the team name stems from the proprietary manner of creating giant messages in the sky.?? Flying five aircraft in a tight, line-abreast formation, the planes coordinate in typing dot matrix-style messages with environmentally friendly puffs of white smoke.?? A computer located in the lead aircraft utilizes a custom programmed tablet to send commands to the other planes via radio signals.?? The result is astonishing to behold.?? Messages can be seen from 15 miles away in any direction with 20-25 characters generated in less than two minutes.?? Individual letters can be as tall as the Empire State Building.
“Our pilots deliver crowd-pleasing performances at every event we attend,” said pilot and Marketing Officer Steve Kapur.?? ???While we always enjoy flying our demonstration, the best part is meeting air show fans from the youngest of future aviators to veterans who trained in our aircraft.???
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will headline the Rhode Island National Guard Open House Air Show for two days of family fun May 20-21 and will feature military jet demonstrations by the U.S.A.F. F-16 Viper, U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, and the U.S. SOCOM Para-Commandos.?? Civilian performers participating in the event include:??Sean D. Tucker, Mike Goulian, and Rob Holland.
For more information on the Rhode Island National Guard Open House??Air Show and full list of performers, visit https://www.rhodeislandairshow.com.????
The GEICO Skytypers are known for their thrilling airshow performances, but the team is firmly grounded in communities through their work with children???s charities and youth organizations.?? The team conducts presentations at youth centers, schools, hospitals, Boys and Girls Clubs, community groups, ROTC programs, and veterans??? facilities.?? The Skytypers also host some of these events planeside.?? Organizations interested in partnering with the GEICO Skytypers can request an appearance by emailing the team???s public affairs contact at geicopao@skytyping.com.
For more information on the GEICO Skytypers, visit http://www.geicoskytypers.com.??