"Everybody has some kind of relationship you can talk to guys and they have flashbacks to where they were," said Stuart. "Sometimes it was a good sound to me, sometimes it was a bad sound," said Stuart.
Lee Stuart has been flying with them since 2000. He says for him its less about the flying and more about the memories.
"Whether I ever fly again it doesn't matter. Its the comradery, its being around the vets, its being around the military," said Stuart.
Air Boss Jim Brennan says for some of the vets they meet around the country seeing the Huey is like reuniting with an old friend.
"A lot of them have not been near, on or even around a Huey in 40 plus years," Jim Brennan.
This Huey was built to be a medevac to help the injured during the Vietnam War.
"A lot of them will tell you the last time they were flying in a Huey, it was either taking them into a hot LZ or more important taking them out of a hot LZ," said Brennan. "Just to be next to an air craft that really took care of them. You know when they heard the sound of that Huey they knew it was good news," said Brennan.
Brennan says being up here isn't just about remembering the past.
"Whats more important is getting the kids and the adults and even the Vietnam vets a little bit of closure," said Brennan.
This time around their planes are flying higher and the pilots are only looking for a smile from kids and even one of our News 12 photographer.
"At first I thought it was really loud, but it was awesom-er when we got up in the really high sky," said Will Graybael.
Stuart says no matter if its kids, adults, or an old friend trying to reconnect still gives him chills.
"I tell them that air craft you are riding is older than your momma and daddy," said Stuart.
Story and video: http://www.wrdw.com
Team Aerodynamix pilots Jerry Morris and Len Leggette have been stunt flying at Boshears Skyfest for years, and they said they never get tired of performing at what they consider “basically a homecoming show.”
Story and photo gallery: http://chronicle.augusta.com
“Out There…Somewhere”: So, What’s Up At Boshears Skyfest? • Daniel Field Airport (KDNL), Augusta, Georgia Augusta, GA (WJBF) – Pilot Bob Carlton is fired up about the Boshears Skyfest, which is a celebration of airplanes and flying. For Augusta aviation, this is like Woodstock.
“That’s a great way to put it, this is our 22nd second year of celebrating the air show,” said Becky Shealy, who is the spokesperson for Boshears Skyfest.
There will be cool planes at the air show and great pilots who have spent most of their lives as fans of aviation.
Probably, nobody flew higher than the late great Neil Armstrong. I mean, he ended every debate around the hanger, “oh yeah, you flew a jet. I walked on the Moon.” They know aviation, but would they know Neil if they saw him.
“Is that you?” asked Shealy, looking at an older picture of Armstrong on my phone. “No, it’s not me,” I answered. “I have no idea. Who is that?” asked Shealy. ‘If I say Neil Armstrong?” I asked. “Shut up,” said Shealy.
“Beats me,” said Ted Tidwell, who’s been on the Boshears show committee since the beginning. “This guy here, if I gave you his name…Neil Armstrong?” I asked Tidwell. “Well, that’s a very familiar name,” said Tidwell.
At Boshears Skyfest, you will see some trick flying from the Alabama Boys precision flying, as well, and the guys behind the controls of these planes aren’t easily tricked when it comes to another famous fly-boy.
“Who’s this guy,” we asked pilot Greg Koontz, who is a 40-year veteran of air shows, who will entertain this weekend with the “Alabama Boys”. “Fellow that landed on the Moon, first guy to walk on the Moon. Neil Armstrong,” he said at first glance.
“Oh yeah, Neil Armstrong, you bet,” said Bob Gibbons, of “Team Aerodynamix”, which is a precision flying team back at Boshears.
“Do you know who this guy is?” I asked Bob Carlton. “That is Neil Armstrong,” he answered. “You guys all know,” I said to Carlton, who will be flying his yellow Subsonex Micro Jet at the air show.
They are up in the air, but when it comes to recognizing Neil Armstrong, their heads are not in the clouds…”Out There…Somewhere” at Boshears Skyfest.
Boshears Skyfest will be held Saturday and Sunday. For more information, click here.
- Source: http://wjbf.com
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