FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 12, 2014) -- Thunder in the Valley Air Show returns to the valley area March 15-16 at the Columbus Airport with a complete lineup of thrill for spectators. Gate Opens at 10 a.m with a pre-show from noon-1 p.m. and the main show from 1-5 p.m.
The Thunder in the Valley Air Show began in 1997 as a local fly-in for aviation enthusiasts and has grown to become one of the largest outdoor Family events in the Chattahoochee Valley.
The air show brings in top performers from across the U.S., all paid for by local and regional sponsors whose products and services are exposed to an average of 10,000 guests each day of the show, and included in advertising that reaches hundreds of thousands before the event.
National attention has been given to the Thunder in the Valley Air Show by the International Council of Air Shows for excellence in marketing.
Some of this year's performers include:
FRANKLIN'S FLYING CIRCUS
Franklin's Flying Circus features pilot Kyle Franklin in his Demon-1 biplane. Known as "Dracula," this high-performance machine is powered by a fuel-injected engine of more than 500 horsepower, and has nearly full-span ailerons that enable a roll rate of more than 300 degrees per second. The Flying Circus also includes the Wing-Tip Draggin' Comedy Act, in which Franklin flies as runaway pilot Ben Whabnaski. Most pilots only put a wingtip on the ground during ground loops; Franklin does it so often, his aircraft has skid plates fastened to the wing. Franklin also will perform a new "Immortals" extreme finale act with the Indy Boys' Paul Stender.
GEORGIA STATE PATROL AVIATION DIVISION
The Georgia State Patrol Aviation Division, comprised of more than a dozen helicopters and a team of highly skilled pilots and support personnel, provides public safety aviation support to Georgia citizens. The team will conduct a Water Drop demo featuring two fire suppression techniques, the Straight-In Drop and the Zero Airspeed Precision Drop. The Aviation Division, in partnership with the State of Georgia SWAT team, also will demonstrate a strategic SWAT insertion from a Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter.
INDY BOYS JET POWERED SCHOOL BUS AND JET OUTHOUSE
Indy Boys, Inc. is motorsports entertainment at its most extreme. Vehicle builder and driver Paul Stender has created some of the fastest and most unique jet-powered vehicles, including the 367 MPH Jet Powered School Bus and the 70 MPH Jet Outhouse.
U.S. ARMY MANEUVER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE BAND
The U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band will return to Thunder in the Valley. For more than 50 years, the band has taken great pride in entertaining the Soldiers, military Families and civilians of the Fort Benning, Columbus and Phenix City communities. The band's performances create esprit de corps among Soldiers and veterans, as well as provide patriotic spirit within the civilian community.
Plus flying demonstrations by historic military aircraft, civilian aircraft on display, airplane and helicopter rides, a military encampment experience, a children's carnival and great food.
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