Taking Flight

The artistry of aerobatic flying will fill the skies above Van Nuys as three pilots perform loops, spins and rolls at the Van Nuys Airport Aviation Expo ’98. The three, Sean D. Tucker, Dave Eastman and Tim Weber, will make their first Van Nuys appearances next weekend in the show that is expected to draw 300,000 spectators.

Also making his debut will be Dan Buchanan, a paraplegic who narrates while guiding his hang glider.

Aviation buffs will get a bird’s-eye view of about 75 military and civilian aircraft, including the F-117A Stealth Fighter, B-1 Bomber and F-14 Tomcat. Among the vintage and classic aircraft on display will be the massive C-121 Lockheed Constellation, B-25 Bomber and Stinson Detroiter.

Flight fans will also have a chance to ask pilots what it’s really like to be in control of some of the world’s most advanced aircraft.

A flyover by a squadron of vintage AT-6 Texans will kick off the event next Saturday. The Los Angeles Fire Department Helicopter Unit will demonstrate precision water drops and hoist rescues after the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team perform sky maneuvers.

Los Angeles City Councilman Joel Wachs will serve as grand marshall. Entrance is free, as is off-site parking. Proceeds from food and beverages will benefit 20 nonprofit youth and service organizations. The show takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Schedule of Events

Schedule is subject to change. Each demonstration runs for 10 to 15 minutes, except 2 p.m. Golden Knights performance which is 30 minutes.

Saturday, July 18

10 a.m.: Opening ceremonies, Condor Squadron AT-6 Texans flyover

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team jump; Pilatus Turbo Porter demonstration; Pitts S2S “Patriot” aerobatics routine; hang gliding demonstration; L.A. Fire Department water drop and hoist-rescue demonstration; aerobatics demonstration in the Russian Yak 55M; AH-64 Apache helicopter demonstration; aerobatics demonstration in 1-800-COLLECT Challenger II.

2-3:30 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team jump; C-130 Hercules Water Drop; AH-64 Apache helicopter demonstration; Aerobatic Flying Circus demonstration.

Sunday, July 19

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team jump; Pilatus Turbo Porter demonstration; Pitts S2S “Patriot” aerobatics routine; hang gliding demonstration; L.A. Fire Department water drop and hoist-rescue demonstration; aerobatics demonstration in the Russian Yak 55M; AH-64 Apache helicopter demonstration; aerobatics demonstration in 1-800-COLLECT Challenger II.

2-3:30 p.m.: U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team jump; C-130 Hercules Water Drop; AH-64 Apache helicopter demonstration; Aerobatic Flying Circus demonstration.

Parking Lots

Parking is free and shuttle bus service is provided. There is no parking on the event site.

A. Woodley Golf Course Lot

B. Birmingham High/Mulholland Middle schools

C. CSUN

D. VA Hospital

E. Monroe High School

F. Handicapped Parking

Parachute

Formed in 1959, the elite U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute team has 84 members who serve an average of three years on the team and hailing from various occupations within the U.S. Army. Based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, the team travels 250 days a year, performing throughout the United States.

At the Van Nuys Air Show, the team will perform a 15-minute opener at 10:30 a.m. each day, with a 30-minute show at 2 p.m. each day. Here’s a description of the opener:

1. Fokker F27 Friendship plane orbits at 2,000 feet. Wind drift indicators, made of tissue with a weighted rod at bottom, are tossed out to determine wind direction so jumpers will know where to open parachutes.

2. Plane climbs to 12,500 feet. First jumper leaves the plane, free falls for 50 seconds, opens parachute at 3,000 feet and unfurls an American flag at 2,000 feet.

3. National anthem begins and jumper lands on target just as last note is played. He removes gear and narrates remainder of show.

4. Other team members jump from plane. Four jumpers grab onto others’ legs and arms to form the base of the formation. At 9,000 feet, team leader signals for other jumpers to complete the formation on the outside.

5. Formation held until 5,500 feet, when “outside jumpers” fly away from formation to create bomb-burst effect. Outside jumpers deploy parachutes at 4,500 feet at same time “inside jumpers” do their bomb burst until they reach 3,500 feet and deploy their parachutes.

6. Jumpers line up in a stair-step formation called an “accuracy stack.” About 15 minutes from the time the first jumper leaves the plane, they land one-by-one on the 9-foot diameter target.

Sean D. Tucker

Once afraid of flying, Sean D. Tucker conquered his fears to become one of the best-know aerobatic performers on the air-show circuit. During his performances, a hammering +10 and -7.5 G’s are exerted on his body. Tucker will be doing his signature move for the first appearance at the Van Nuys Air Show.

1-800-COLLECT Challenger II

Due to the intensity of Tucker’s flights, the engine in his custom-built 380-plus horsepower plane is overhauled and the wings completely rebuilt at the end of each season.

The Centrifuge

Sean D. Tucker’s Signature Maneuver

Two of the 12 tumbles of the stunt named Centrifuge

Airwave Glider

This year’s air show will mark the first appearance by Dan Buchanan, a paraplegic hang glider who narrates from his motorless Airwave Glider. To get airborne, he lifts off from atop a vehicle moving at 30 mph. He climbs to 1,500 feet or more while pulling up to 3,000 feet of line from his self-designed hydraulic winch that is mounted on the tow vehicle. Next comes his “Water-ski turn” in which the tow vehicle makes a U-turn on the runway and Buchanan must coordinate a turn in the air to continue climbing in the new direction.

Dense colored smoke, ribbons and pyrotechnics mounted on the wing add grace and excitement to the sky ballet.

Buchanan and his glider lift off from atop a moving vehicle at 3000 mph, using a s self-designed hydraulic winch mounted on the tow vehicle. His son Mike serves as the all-important winch operator.

Special hand control are used to steer the rudder panels

Small wheels are mounted on the glider for a smooth landing.

On Display

More than 50 fighter jets, vintage and business aircraft will be on display. Spectators can talk to pilots and tour the interior of some of the planes. Aircraft on display include:

AH-64 Apache Longbow: Attack helicopter designed to detect and engage stationary or moving targets in nearly all weather environments.

F-117A Stealth Fighter: Angular, futuristic-looking behemoth built to fly undetected by enemy radar

B-1 Bomber: Designed to penetrate enemy air defenses at low altitudes

Other aircraft on display:

C-121 Lockheed Constellation

E-3 AWACS

F-14 Tomcat

F-15 Strike Eagle

F-16 Falcon

F/A-18 Hornet

German Luftwaffe Tornado

Cobra, Blackhawk and Chinook helicopters.

Sources: Van Nuys Airport, Boeing, “Jane’s Aircraft Recognition Guide”; Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times