Get Ready For ACAP!

As was alluded to last week in our Aero-Cast interview with ICAS President John Cudahy, airshow organizer Rick Rushing officially unveiled the highly anticipated Association of Competition Airshow Pilots at the recently concluded International Council of Air Shows 2005 Convention attendees and press in Orlando, FL.

Similar in concept to the NASCAR points-series style of competition, the inaugural 2006 season of ACAP promises to be something unique to the world of air show performances.

"The demographics of air shows are phenomenal, and we wanted to create something that could ... really bring some excitement and consistency to it," said Rushing (pictured below) to ANN Editor-In Chief Jim Campbell in a recent interview, to be presented in full in an upcoming ANN Special Report Aero-Cast.

Eight pilots -- Greg Poe, Nick Nilmeyer, Eric Beard, Sergei Boriak, Jeff Mawhinney, Skip Stewart, Jim Peitz, and Jon Melby -- will be put together in "an extreme X-Games-style competition format," said Rushing, "where basically we just let them go do their thing, and they're judged and rewarded for victory."

Their "thing" will consist of six-minute aerobatic routines, in two rounds of competition. 
"We're presenting this as a series, a turn-key two-day air show event, very much like a traditional air show," said Rushing.

At each of 12 cable-televised air shows beginning in April 2006, the pilots will fly one six-minute routine on Day One of the two-day event, where they will be subjectively judged by panel of five judges. Showmanship and crowd appeal will be among the factors judges will critique the performers on, according to Rushing.

Once a pilot is given a score, they will have time to adjust their routine accordingly before having another go of it on Day Two. Point totals for the weekend will be computed, with the winner grabbing the highest combined score.

Judges Alan Henley, Mark Henley, Steve Gustafson, and Gene McNeely from the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team will preside over the cable-televised events, and Airboss duties for the series will be handled by George Cline, a well-respected airshow expert from Airboss, Inc.

According to Rushing, a diverse mix of Unlimited-category aircraft will be featured for the inaugural season. "We have a Sukhoi, a Yak, a couple of Edge's, a couple of Extras and a couple of Pitts," he said. Future plans call for different categories of aircraft to be accepted, such as Warbirds.

"We do not want to make this a [purely] competition aerobatic event -- this is all about the wow factor to the crowd, elevated by the competition," said Rushing.

Safety will be an important factor in the series, as well, and pilots will be required to have new maneuvers approved by the judges before flying them before the crowd, according to Rushing.

Alan Henley of the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team delivered a message of confidence and support for the series. "We are very proud to have been selected as judges for these events, said Henley. "We are thrilled to be a part of ACAP, and look for this series to be an exciting, dynamic, and safe addition to the airshow community."

Airshow favorites Mike Goulian and Patty Wagstaff will be making special guest appearances at several of the events, and Greg Koontz was also announced at ICAS to be appearing in all 12 events as an entertainer.

"Our series is a tribute to all airshows and performances that have come before, and to ICAS for its continuing support and guidance." said Rushing. "We hope to complement what has come before, and enhance the airshow experience for all the fans, performers, and sponsors that attend our events. We are grateful to ICAS for their support of this series, and we have a dedicated and talented team assembled to make this a great addition to the Airshow community."

FMI: www.acapshows.com