(FARMINGDALE, NY) The GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, the leading vintage airshow performance squadron, announces their 2019 airshow season schedule. At 15 airshows across the country, the team’s six WWII-era aircraft will perform an 18-minute, low-level precision-flying demonstration. Their season kicks-off April 6-7 at the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in and Expo in Lakeland, FL.
“Event attendees can expect a new, dynamic demonstration that displays the capabilities of the pilots showing what these “warbirds” are made of,” says Larry Arken, squadron commander and team flight lead. “Air show spectators and aviation enthusiasts won’t want to miss our new routine at 15 air shows across the country.”
The 2019 GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team schedule includes the following:
April 6-7 Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in and Expo, Lakeland, FL
April 27-28 MCAS Beaufort Airshow, Beaufort, SC
May 4-5 Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Fort Lauderdale, FL
May 11-12 Joint Base Andrews Air Show, Camp Springs, MD
May 25-26 Bethpage Air Show, Jones Beach, NY
June 8-9 The Great Tennessee Air Show, Smyrna, TN
June 22-23 Vectron Dayton Air Show, Dayton, OH
August 20-21 Atlantic City Air Show-Thunder over the Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
August 24-25 New York Air Show, New Windsor, NY
August 31- Sept. 2 Cleveland National Air Show, Cleveland, OH
September 21-22 NAS Oceana Air Show, Norfolk, VA
October 12-13 Atlanta Air Show, Hampton, GA
October 27-28 NAS JAX Air Show, Jacksonville, FL
November 2-3 Florida International Air Show, Punta Gorda, FL
November 8-9 NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, Pensacola, FL
ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT
The GEICO Skytypers fly six SNJs powered by 600-horsepower Pratt and Whitney engines. As a training aircraft, the SNJ can perform all the maneuvers of a fighter plane at slower speeds. The historic sound of the vintage engines fills the air as the team exhibits more than 20 different tactical maneuvers during its 18-minute, low-level flying demonstration.
“’The Greatest Generation’ pilots trained in the SNJ to prepare for WWII combat,” says Steve Kapur, pilot and squadron marketing officer. “We are grateful to GEICO for giving us the opportunity to bring this show to our fans across North America.”
ABOUT SKYTYPING
The "Skytypers" portion of the team name stems from their proprietary manner of creating giant messages in the sky. Five aircraft fly in a tight, line-abreast formation; the planes coordinate in typing dot matrix-style messages with environmentally friendly puffs of white smoke. A computer located in the lead aircraft utilizes a custom programmed tablet to send commands to the other planes via radio signals. The result is astonishing to behold. Messages can be seen from 15 miles away in any direction with 20-25 characters generated in less than two minutes. Individual letters can be as tall as the Empire State Building. For more information, please visit www.geicoskytypers.com
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 27 million vehicles. To make changes, report claims, print insurance cards and purchase additional products, policyholders can access their insurance policy here, connect via GEICO Mobile, phone or by visiting a GEICO local agent. Homeowners, renters, condo, flood,identity theft and term life coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available. Visit www.geico.com for a quote or to learn more.
