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.
![](/images/content/military/2004/SNF04-Aeroshell-Texan-0404c.jpg)
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."