The AirVenture 2015 Airshow Is Lining Up Some Great Acts, And This First Timer Is A Dandy

The Screamin’ Sasquatch jet-powered Waco from John Klatt Airshows will make its EAA AirVenture Oshkosh debut this summer with pilot Jeff Boerboon performing in several of the daily air shows.

The airplane, a highly modified 1929 Waco Taperwing, is powered by a Pratt & Whitney 985 Wasp Junior radial engine (450 hp) and a General Electric CJ-610 turbojet that throws out 3,000 pounds of thrust. The airplane sports an aggressive paint scheme based on its sponsor company Jack Link’s Beef Jerky and the popular “Messin’ With Sasquatch” campaign. In the photo at the left, Jeff Boerboon flies John Klatt Airshows’ Screamin Sasquatch jet-powered Waco in formation with the Jack Link’s Extra 300L.

“I certainly feel like the luckiest guy in the air show industry because I get to fly the most unique aircraft in the world,” Boerboon said. “I saw Jimmy Franklin fly his (jet-powered Waco) many times and it’s just a huge honor to fly this one-of-a-kind airplane.”

Fully fueled, the airplane weighs in at about 4,000 pounds, so right away its unique twin-engine configuration provides a more than 1-to-1 thrust-weight ratio (4,500 lbs. of thrust). “You bring it to 1,500 feet, engage the jet, and it just goes straight up,” Boerboon said.

Jack Link’s, headquartered in Minong, WI, is also looking forward to seeing the airplane perform in its home state. “We are proud to partner with John Klatt Airshows and bring the Screamin’ Sasquatch to life for our fans, troops and veterans across the country,” said Kevin Papacek, director of marketing for Jack Link’s Beef Jerky.

All of Screamin’ Sasquatch’s control surfaces were specifically engineered to accommodate the unique aerodynamic forces of high-speed flight. Portions of the aircraft’s structure were converted from wood and fabric to carbon fiber. And to make room for twin fuel tanks of 100LL and Jet A, the cockpit was moved 3 feet aft.

Speaking of the cockpit, it contains the MGL Avionics Stratomaster Odyssey touch screen system, which integrates all engine monitoring of both powerplants as well as the aircraft’s avionics systems all on one screen.

Screamin’ Sasquatch is uniquely capable of intensely powerful aerobatic flight, such as extreme vertical climbs, flat-spins, snap rolls, torque rolls, and even a “hover,” which the plane can then power itself out of to regain forward flight.

Boerboon’s passion for aviation and aerobatics began at a very early age building and flying model airplanes after seeing an Oshkosh air show. He earned an airway science degree from the University of North Dakota, where he had his introduction into the world of aerobatics.

A two-time Advanced National Champion and member of the U.S. Advanced Aerobatic Team from 2003-2008, Boerboon qualified for the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team in 2008. He placed eighth overall in his rookie year and was the top American pilot at the 2009 World Aerobatic Championship in Silverstone, U.K. Boerboon won the U.S. national unlimited title in 2010 and is a current team member of the unlimited aerobatic team.

(Photo by Ryan Lambert provided by EAA)

FMI: www.eaa.org/en/airventure