US airshow favorite to head down under for first time

Added by on November 15, 2012

Organizers of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defense Exposition are delighted to announce Skip Stewart, one of America’s most popular airshow performers, will bring his dynamic act to Australia for the first time.

Skip Stewart has been described as one of the most entertaining airshow pilots in the world. He’s has been performing on the airshow circuit for more than ten years and has over eight thousand hours of flying experience.

Skip says he’s honored to have been invited to fly at next year’s Australian International Airshow.

“I have flown shows all over the world, but I have not yet visited Australia and I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to perform for the wonderful people who live there.”

Airshow fans at Avalon won’t be able to miss Skip in his custom built Pitts special, painted in a fiery livery which resembles an American ‘Hot Rod’.

He’s even named his plane ‘Prometheus’ after the rebel Titan in Greek mythology who angered Zeus by stealing fire from him and returning to earth.

“With 400 horsepower, an American Hot-Rod paint scheme, and G forces in excess of +11 and -6, the airplane is quite a machine,” said Stewart.

“The result is that I can fly a very high energy, low-level, seemingly out of control routine that is usually the crowd favorite.”

According to Stewart, he built the muscle bi-plane himself and has modified it to fly exactly to his specifications; it has a climb rate of 4000FPM and a maximum speed of 197 miles per hour.

Organizers say this highly entertaining pilot, whose passion for aviation began when he flew with his crop-dusting grandfather as a youngster, will be part of a star studded line-up at next year’s Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition.

Among the acts confirmed for Avalon2013 are British aerobatic ace, Mark Jefferies and Australia’s own ‘Top Gun’ Matt Hall.

This aviation event is presented with the ongoing support of the State Government of Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong, and the Australian Defence Force, in particular, the Royal Australian Air Force.

The event is a unique mix of military, antique, classic, commercial, air sport, rotor and general aviation aircraft. It brings together all kinds of aviation enthusiasts in a carnival like atmosphere.

The Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition is being held from February 26 to March 3 2013 at Avalon Airport, near Geelong in Victoria.

The Aerospace & Defence Exposition is an exclusive trade only event while the airshow opens to the public in the afternoon on Friday March 3.

For more information visit www.airshow.com.au