FLYIN’…

US Navy Blue Angels

For over sixty years Seafair has been entertaining the residents of the Northwest with colorful cultural parades, high-speed action on Lake Washington and summer fun. But nothing signifies "Seafair" better than when the six blue jets majestically streaking across the Seattle skyline for the Boeing Air Show - the Seafair Weekend that is summer in the Northwest.
Detailed Information on the U.S. Navy Blue Angels

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Sean Tucker- Team Oracle

Taking to the skies over Seafair again in 2010, Sean Tucker and Team Oracle are sure to leave fans questioning the laws of gravity as this custom built aircraft makes even the most demanding maneuvers look simple.

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Tim Weber - Geico Extra 300

Back for another Seafair summer is the crowd-pleasing Geico Extra 300S piloted by Tim Weber. The The Extra 300S is an unlimited-class composite monoplane stressed to handle even the most demanding maneuvers. With over 300 horsepower and a roll rate in excess of 420 degrees per second, this aggressive aircraft provides the performance and looks to make it perform as unrelentingly as Tim Weber pushes the bounds of the Geico Extra 300S.

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John Klatt - Air National Guard

Returning for another spectacular show over Lake Washington is a crowd favorite John Klatt flying in a handcrafted Staudacher S-300D for the Air National Guard. John is a Lieutenant Colonel with the Air National Guard flying all over the world in the C-130 turboprop transport aircraft or the F-16 Fighting Falcon in air support and combat roles. John also serves as first officer with a major U.S. commercial airline.

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VFA -122 Super Hornet (F/A18F)

The combat-proven F/A-18 Hornet is a twin-engine, multi-mission, tactical aircraft. It converts between air-to-air fighter missions and air-to-ground strike missions while on the same sortie with the flick of a switch. Currently serving throughout the world, the F/A-18 fulfills the following types of assignment: fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close air support, and day and night strike missions.  The Flying Eagles of VFA-122 trace their lineage back to VC-35, a "composite" squadron composed of various models of the A-1 Skyraider. Commissioned on 25 May 1950 at NAS San Diego, VC-35's mission was to supply All-Weather Attack and Anti-Submarine Warfare detachments for carrier deployments and Pacific Fleet exercises. 

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F/A-18G "Growler"

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The EA-18G will replace the United States Navy's EA-6B Prowler. It began production in 2007 and entered operational service in late 2009.

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Carter Teeters - F8F-2 Bearcat “Wampum Cat”

Designed to beat the Japanese Zero and defend Navy fleets against incoming Kamikaze attacks, the Grumman Bearcat was the last piston-engine fighter built specifically for WWII combat.  Its Pratt & Whitney 2800 engine generates in excess of 2,100 horsepower.  If allowed, the F8F will transport its pilot from brake release at sea level to 10,000 feet in just 91 seconds.    WWII hostilities ended just as the first examples joined the fleet.  After the war, from 1946 through 1949, the Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the “Blue Angels”, flew Bearcats.  While advancements in jet propulsion rendered the model obsolete by the late 50s, its popularity among pilots and commanders extended its life.  It bears the distinction of being the last piston fighter to be retired by the U.S. Armed Forces.
First flown in 1948, this particular Bearcat saw Navy squadron service through 1957.  In 1959, after a complete overhaul, it continued military deployment as a photoreconnaissance aircraft.  In 1964, now a “civilian,” our Bearcat won 4th place in the first Gold Unlimited Race at Reno, Nevada piloted by Walt Ohlrich, a former WWII pilot.  Walt continued to race this aircraft through 1972, and it continued to race, under new ownership, through 1990.  Among its many successes were the Los Angeles Air Races of 1966 (two fastest laps in the history of the race), Harold’s Club Trophy Race (3rd place, 1967) and Homestead Air Races (1st place, 1979).

Acquired by the Historic Flight Foundation at Paine Field in Everett Washington, “Wampus Cat” was restored to its stock Navy, combat-ready specification in 2010.  This cat will be proudly flown at Seafair by the Historic Flight Foundation.

For more information, visit www.historicflight.org.

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John Sessions - F7F-3 Tigercat: “Bad Kitty”

The Grumman brain trust saw the jet age coming—indeed, they produced the F9F Panther jet in 1947. But with the Tigercat, Grumman refused to give up on piston-driven innovation. The mandate was to give the US Navy not just its first twin-engine fighter, but a fighter that could launch and land from Midway carriers. Grumman delivered a plane powered by two 2100 HP Pratt & Whitney engines that outperformed all existing fighters. The plane was big, but “compacted” neatly with retractable wings, wheels, and nose landing gear. It could reach speeds of 450 MPH; take off from carriers with full fuel, 3000 pounds of supplies, four 20mm cannons, and four 50-caliber machine guns. And it was a prime choice for ground attacks—in particular the night missions that made all the “cats” such great stalkers.

There’s some irony here: A plane that could have seen final landing as a beer can is now one of the rarest Warbirds around. Less than 20 Tigercats were salvaged from Litchfield, and to date, only six are in flying condition. Historic Flight Foundation at Paine Field, Everett Washington, acquired Bad Kitty in 2003 and gave the plane what it deserved, full restoration.  What you see flying is Grumman’s original vision, a sleek blue aircraft with a growling cat’s face.  Historic Flight Foundation is proud to bring this historic aircraft to Seafair.

For more information, visit www.historicflight.org.

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Clay Lacy - Lear 24 “Smoker”

The Lear 24 “Smoker” appears in the “Special Ops” livery and is fully aerobatic and equipped with an Air Show smoke system.  Flown by the “Flyingest Pilot Ever,” Clay Lacy.

With over 50,000 hours as a pilot, Clay holds an Airline Transport License with thirty-two (32) type ratings, helicopter, seaplane, flight instructor, and engineer.  He retired Seniority Number One from United Airlines on August 31, 1992 after 40 years and 7 months.  At the time of his retirement, Clay was flying Boeing 747-400 from Los Angeles to the Orient.

As a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild of America, Clay has participated in dozens of movies.  He faked a gear-up landing of a Learjet for the movie, “Capricorn One” and landed a DC-3 (for real!) gear-up for the movie, “The Island”.

Clay is the owner and Chief Executive Officer of Clay Lacy Aviation, founded in 1968, at Van Nuys Airport, which is a Full Jet Service FBO (fixed base operator). 

For more information, visit www.claylacy.com.