Airshow Updates: Latest Scoop

America has a NEW and VERY EXCITING jet formation team in 2011: Heavy Metal Jet Team

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

What do you do once you have served time as an Air Force Thunderbird, Navy Blue Angel, Top Gun jet fighter pilot or a world record holder for flying around the world? . . .You form a new jet formation team, of course!

Heavy Metal Jet Team is new and coming to PNC Air Show 2011. They are a five-ship aerobatic civilian-owned jet team that is fully sponsored by United Bank Card, Inc (UBC). This sponsorship enables the team to be a featured act for shows not hosting a military jet team. With four L-39's and one T-33 all in the Arctic camouflage paint scheme, Heavy Metal Jet Team promises to be an exciting and thrilling experience. PNC Air Show 2011 is proud to be one of the first shows on the team's schedule giving you a chance to see this demonstration team's extreme precision aerial maneuvers before most of America.

Heavy Metal Jet Team is dedicating its first season on the North American air show circuit in 2011 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The team's members and United Bank Card representatives will be working with local Make-A-Wish® chapters at the air shows and other venues where the team will be appearing to raise awareness of the organization's work and promote its efforts to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

Don't Miss the Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Car

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 03:08:00 +0000

On the taxiway you can hear the roar of the jet engine, the deafening booms of the afterburner shock, and the billowing clouds of smoke as Bill Braack, the driver, moves slowly past the crowd, he engages the after burner and 20 foot flames shoot out the back of the engine and you can feel the heat! At the end of the runway Bill throttles up the car, engages the afterburner and release the brakes and shoots down the runway approaching speeds of 370 mph, Bill experiences 4.5 G's on his run and when he pulls the chutes to stop a whopping 11 G's on his slow down. The crowd has just witnessed Bill Braack and his Smoke-N-Thunder Jet Car and the performance that will blow you away!

PNC Air Show 2011 is a family-friendly/family affordable event packed with fun and excitement for everyone. There is plenty to see both in the air and on the ground, so make your plans to attend today!

Individual tickets and ticket packages are available for purchase online at www.prairieair.org and are also available at all central Illinois Kroger locations.

Black Daggers Dropping in on PNC Air Show 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The Black Daggers love to drop in on Peoria! And they are always a crowd pleaser! Many love to say “Why would I jump out of perfectly good airplane” … The Black Daggers may say, “’Cause I can!”

The Black Daggers are the official U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute Demonstration Team. Their mission is to perform live aerial demonstrations in support of Army Special Operations community relations and recruiting. Comprised of volunteers from throughout Army Special Operations the Black Daggers have diverse backgrounds and are skilled in various military specialties including Special Forces, Rangers, civil affairs, psychological operations and signal and support. The team represents the professionalism and dedication of special operations forces.

Don’t miss this great team jump out of a perfectly airplane at PNC Air Show 2011 – Peoria, IL – July 23 and 24.

Indy Transponder: REDSTAR and THE DRAGON CREDITED IN STEPPING IN TO HELP SAVE SHRINERSFEST AIRSHOW

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:55:00 +0000

Click here and check out this article on Indy Transponder! Red Star and the Dragon are GREAT and they will be at PNC Air Show on July 23 & 24, 2011. Rumor has it they have something BIG they are unveiling at OUR show! Get your tickets now at www.prairieair.org or at Kroger locations in Central Illinois.

Indy Transponder: REDSTAR and THE DRAGON CREDITED IN STEPPING IN TO HELP SAVE SHRINERSFEST AIRSHOW

Visit www.prairieair.org for more information.

Two if by air, one if by land

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:46:00 +0000

Well the hard work continues as we talk to potential sponsors and try to work out mutually beneficial arrangements. We are currently looking for partners, both in-kind and full sponsors, so please contact me if you have any ideas or leads. Prairie Air Show could not happen each year without our generous sponsors.

The others items that were top on my ‘to do’ list this past week have been to continue talks with our jet team and we secured a jet car! The Smoke-n-Thunder action of Bill Braack will once again push our show over the top. We are really excited to get Bill back to Peoria—it is always a tremendous addition to have a jet car at any air show.

Here’s a little snip-it of you might experience from Smoke-n-Thunder. During the show, out on the taxiway, you will hear the deafening roar of an engine and see billowing clouds of smoke and 20 foot flames. You can feel the reverberations of mini sonic booms. When you look up, you’re going to be surprised as you realize it’s not an aircraft! If front of you, ready to race, is a jet car. Driver Bill Braack will take on any challenge – even by air. As his jet approaches speeds of 400 mph, he’ll pull up to five-and-a-half G’s! The 10,000 horsepower engine of the 26 foot long jet car will keep you wanting more from this amazing land-craft.

Bill is coming to us sponsored by Air Show Network and CoinForce.com. CoinForce.com is an outstanding organization. They have designed a collector coin commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11. All of the proceeds of the sale of the coin go to the USO and 9/11 Foundation. Look for these awesome coins to purchase at Prairie Air Show 2011!

It has been quite a week. Unfortunately, I have to close this week’s addition with a note of sadness. Earlier this week, “The Dragon,” a 1969 BAC 167-Strikemaster, which was slated to come to our show, went down in the Hudson River. The amazing vintage craft and its pilot lost their battle. Our condolences go out to the friends and family of Dr. Michael Faraldi. Blue Skies to you forever.

Blue Skies,

Brett

To learn more about Bill Braack and Smoke N Thunder, visit www.smoke-n-thunder.com or to learn more about the other great acts attending Prairie Air Show 2011, visit www.prairieair.org.

The Raptor Cometh

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:26:00 +0000

Last week was our first Special Operations Group meeting to start the ball rolling for planning of the 2011 show. The Special Operations Group is comprised of a dozen-plus people, each taking a responsibility for a different part of the show; for example: volunteers, performers, static displays, and the list goes on and on. We discussed our performer line-up and other pertinent details.

By far, the most exciting thing that happened last week was that I was contacted by Air Combat Command and received confirmation: Prairie Air Show 2011 will be hosting the East Coast Raptor Demo Team! That’s right. The pinnacle in air superiority fighter craft is coming to Peoria.

The Air Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team is based at Langley Air Force Base and performs precision aerial maneuvers to demonstrate the unique capabilities of the world's only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

“The F-22 Raptor is, and will remain, unprecedented in its total integration of stealth and advanced avionics. It quite simply is a revolutionary leap in lethality and survivability over any aircraft in production or design anywhere in the world.” (www.f22-raptor.com)

Within a half an hour of getting that call I also received an email from Staff Sergeant John Lugo who will be our point of contact with the East Coast Raptor Demo Team. He said that he and the rest of the team are really stoked about coming to Peoria because they’ve not only heard of how great the air show is but also how great the performers’ stays are made through the efforts of the folks from the Peoria area.

So, things are really taking off and we are getting excited here in Central Illinois.

Blue Skies,

Brett

To learn more about the F-22 Raptor Team, visit Air Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team or to learn more about the other great acts attending Prairie Air Show 2011, visit Prairie Air Show.

Air Show 101: If you make the connections, they will come!

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:22:00 +0000

Believe it or not, the planning for Prairie Air Show 2011 began the week after Prairie Air Show 2010. It started at Oshkosh AirVenture 2010 – "The World's Greatest Aviation Celebration".

Okay, so this is how the story goes…I met Jerry “Jive” Kerby (USAF pilot, ret.) at the Oshkosh air show. Oshkosh is one of the best places to find the coolest acts and get the skinny on what’s going on in the air show biz.

Jive and I talked about Prairie Air Show, and he kept saying how he knew about our show and how great a reputation the show has in the business. He went on to tell me how he and Dale “Snort” Snodgrass (USN pilot, ret.) both wanted to come and perform at our show sometime. He kept telling me he had something up his sleeve, but he wasn’t at liberty to discuss it.

The next I heard from Jive was in October 2010. He asked if we would be interested in hosting their newly formed team and explained the whole concept of his “Heavy Metal Jet Team;” but he swore me to secrecy because they had not made the existence of the team public yet.

The next contact I had was mid-November 2010 by the Heavy Metal Jet Team publicist, L.M. “Lunar” Sawyer.

It was a done deal. Not only would we be hosting the Heavy Metal Jet Team, but we were to be one of the first shows on their schedule!

Heavy Metal Jet Team is a five-ship, aerobatic, civilian-owned jet team and will be fully sponsored by United Bank Card, Inc (UBC) for its first year. The team will boast four L-39’s and one T-33 all in the Arctic camouflage paint scheme. Heavy Metal Jet Team will be dedicating its first season to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

So, we welcome the newly formed team of Lt. Colonel Jerry “Jive” Kerby, Captain Dale “Snort” Snodgrass, Jared “Rook” Isaacman, Doug “H-Dog” Demko, Major John “Slick” Baum, Major Sean “Stroker” Gustafson, and Commander Mike “Buick” Eberhardt, to Prairie Air Show 2011.

It’s always exciting to host a brand new act – you may never know what you’re going to get, but you know it’s going to be great!

Blue Skies,
Brett

To learn more about what other great acts are going to be at Prairie Air Show 2011, visit www.prairieair.org and to learn more about the Heavy Metal Jet Team, visit www.heavymetaljetteam.com.

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:02:00 +0000

This blog has moved

noreply@blogger.com (Webmaster) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:45:00 +0000

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Volunteer Meeting Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:52:00 +0000

Interested in Volunteering? OR Already a Volunteer?

Join us for our Prairie Air Show Volunteer Meetings to sign up, meet the staff, and learn more about our show! Our meeting location is at Byerly Aviation -- the white building located just to the east of the Peoria Airport terminal building. All meetings are open to the general public.

Peoria, Byerly FBO, 3rd Floor, 5:30PM
Wednesday, April 28th
Wednesday, May 26th
Wednesday, June 23rd

We look forward to seeing you all again or meeting you for the first time!

Huey's are Leaving

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Fri, 15 May 2009 01:11:00 +0000

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation's UH-1 "Huey" helicopters will not be appearing in Peoria, Illinois to give rides at the air show.
We apologize to our fans who may have been looking forward to taking a ride this year in this Vietnam Era aircraft.
However, Central Illinois Air will once again provide thrill seekers with a fast paced ride in their Robinson R-44 helicopters. These rides are budget friendly and are sure to leave our fans satisfied.

Blue Skies!

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:09:00 +0000

1st Annual Cash Bash a Huge Success!!
The first annual "Cash Bash" held by PAS on Saturday February 7th was deemed a huge success!! The event was well attended and folks had a great time. The event raised money for several causes with the largest being the Army Family Assistance Program. It is a small way to assist the families of those folks that are currently deployed from our area.
Thank you to all who participated, thank you to all who helped out at the event, and thank you to our troops for serving!!
The Director

Prairie Air Show Lands Harrier Demo!

noreply@blogger.com (Performer Liaison) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:02:00 +0000

Prairie Air Show is excited to announce

we have been selected to host a single aircraft

Harrier Demonstration for 2009!

For the 1st time in 25 years, the U.S. Marines AV-8B Harrier demonstration will beat up the sky over Peoria, IL. The AV-8B is a single-seat, light attack aircraft that provides offensive air support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). By virtue of its Vertical/Short Take-Off or Landing capability, the AV-8B can operate from a variety of amphibious ships, rapidly constructed expeditionary airfields, and damaged conventional airfields.

1st Annual Prairie Air Show Cash Bash

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:21:00 +0000

Join us for the 1st Annual Cash Bash!

When: Saturday - February 7, 2009 - Doors Open at 5pm

Where: Knights of Columbus Hall - Peoria, IL

Why: For Food, Fun, Excitement, and most importantly, MONEY!!

The cash bash is a raffle style drawing except that the winners are drawn in reverse order. In this drawing you WANT to be the last number drawn because you would win the Grand Prize of $5,000* Only 200 tickets sold!

There are over 20 prizes given in all including:
16 - $100 prizes (every 10th number drawn)
5 - $500 prizes* (1st, 50th, 100th, 150th, & 199th numbers drawn)
Grand Prize of $5,000*!! (200th number drawn)

Cost: $100 donation
(ticket allows 2 adults into drawing, includes food, beer, wine, & soft drinks)

So don't miss the 1st Annual Prairie Air Show Cash Bash!

Call 309-661-6546 or go to www.prairieair.org to reserve your ticket!

*Prize amounts are based on sale of 200 tickets

Air Show Director Set Free!

noreply@blogger.com (chalets) — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Bail posted!
Brett Krause, Director, exceeds his goal and raises over $2,200 for MDA.
A special thanks goes out to all who generously dontated toward a great cause.

Air Show Director headed for the Brink!

noreply@blogger.com (chalets) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:10:00 +0000

Director, Brett Krause is going to "jail" on August 27, 2008 in efforts to raise much needed money for Muscular Dystrophy.
The event will be taking place at Embassy Suites-East Peoria.
Brett's goal is to raise at least $2,008 by the date of his sentencing, and with your generous donation he will have no problem reaching that goal.
Click on this link https://www.joinmda.org/peoriatelu2008/airshow to make your contribution.
Don't let them throw away the key...click on the link.

Volunteer Safety Briefing and Directions to Site

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:49:00 +0000

Hey, Volunteers!

The air show is just a few days away and that means it's time for our Volunteer Safety Briefing! The meeting will be held this Wednesday, April 16th at 6:30PM in the chalet tent at the air show site. Please make every effort to attend this important safety meeting. If you absolutely cannot attend the meeting, please let us know. The gates to the show site will close at 6:30PM SHARP, so that our gate keepers can also attend the meeting, so PLEASE BE EARLY.

Directions to the Volunteer Entrance:
(from the south/southeast)- Travel northwest on I-74. Bear left onto I-474 towards Bartonville. Travel approximately six miles, crossing the Illinois River, and exit at Airport Road. Turn left onto Airport Road, staying in the right lane. Take an immediate right turn at Dirksen Parkway. Travel ~1/4 of a mile, and turn left at the caboose train car onto Johanssen Road. Continue ahead on Johanssen Road to the Volunteer/VIP entrance.

The chalet area is the tented area on the far west end of the show site. You will be able to park at or near the chalet area. When driving on the show site, please DRIVE SLOWLY. While we understand the temptation to drive fast because of the open area and long strips of tarmac, please DO NOT SPEED -- volunteers will be working on the site and may be walking across the runway.

Prairie Air Show 2008 Volunteer and Vendor Guidelines

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:37:00 +0000

These guidelines apply to all Prairie Air Show volunteers and vendor workers. All volunteers and vendor workers agree to abide by these guidelines as outlined by the Prairie Air Show staff. Failure to act in accordance with these guidelines may result in volunteer termination and disqualification from further volunteering opportunities with the Prairie Air Show.

1. All guests visiting the air show should always be treated with courtesy and respect. Patrons should be greeted in a welcoming tone by our air show volunteers and vendors. Vendors should also provide efficient service and a pleasant close. Vendors should be visible by guests at all times, regardless if the guest is or is not making a purchase from your designated booth.

2. Please maintain the Air Show Look by dressing appropriately. PAS volunteers should be wearing their PAS volunteer t-shirts at all times while volunteering. Other groups and organizations working the vending area may wear t-shirts with their printed logo, identifying their group or organization. PAS volunteers and vendor workers may wear their own long sleeve t-shirts or sweatshirts underneath their t-shirts. Such clothing may not contain any advertising or references to drugs, alcohol, or any other vulgarity or profanity. Comfortable shoes are recommended. Open-toed footwear is not allowed. Do not wear excessive jewelry. Hats and visors are allowed as long as they do not contain any references to drugs, alcohol, or any other vulgarity or profanity. Sunscreen is also recommended.

3. Absolutely NO SMOKING OR DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES while volunteering or working the vending area. Smoking is NOT ALLOWED at any time during the air show.

4. Absolutely NO USE OF CELL PHONES WHILE VOLUNTEERING OR WORKING. This includes Bluetooth, text messaging, picture messaging, push-to-talk phones, and any other personal telephone conversations. Exceptions include group and organization contacts, who have previously provided their cell number to the Prairie Air Show Volunteer Coordinator. PAS volunteers have access to a radio in which they can contact the Volunteer Coordinator and the Assistant Volunteer Coordinator.

5. Under NO circumstances are you allowed to leave your designated volunteering area without notification and/or permission from a supervisor. Should you need to leave your area due to an illness or other emergency, please contact your supervisor immediately. DO NOT leave your assigned work area unattended at any time while there are supplies and money at the location.

6. All products are accounted for and must balance to cash receipts. This includes vendor areas and ticketing areas. Vendor workers must pay for food and beverages using cash or an approved coupon – NO EXCEPTIONS.

7. Should you encounter a problem while volunteering or working during the event, please contact your supervisor or group/organization leader for further assistance.

8. HAVE FUN!!

noreply@blogger.com (Performer Liaison) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 02:36:00 +0000

A Million Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:17:00 +0000

Heads up gamers!

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:19:00 +0000

The brand new PlayStation® Patrol is on the road and it's coming to Prairie Air Show 2008 This is something you won't want to miss!

Offering over 25 total gaming stations, including twelve devoted to PLAYSTATION®3 and featuring the hottest new games and pre-release demos, the PlayStation Patrol is a complete gamer's paradise. Get your hands on a new SIXAXIS™ controller and check out PLAYSTATION®3 games on the newest high definition Sony TV's. Then move on over to PlayStation®2 and compete on one of our 40" big screens. And if you're still hungry for more, play on the PSP® systems and visit the PSP® Spot for free downloads of your favorite and future PSP games, movies, music and more.

SHOW YOUR STUFF!!!

noreply@blogger.com (chalets) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:29:00 +0000

Vendor Spaces Available
Want to get involved with the 2008 Prairie Air Show?
Show your wares to TENS of THOUSANDS!
Vendor spaces still available!
For more information contact airshow@prairieair.org

6th Annual Wing Off HUGE Success!!

noreply@blogger.com (chalets) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:14:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS! to the winners of the 6th Annual Wing Off
People's Choice: Hammer's Bar & Restaurant
Judge's Choice: Old Chicago Pizza

Thank you again to Euro Jack's, Kelleher's Irish Pub, Vonachen's Old Place, Hooters, and Bennigan's for participating. Your continued support if greatly appreciated.

To our Volunteers...YOU ARE AWESOME!
THANK YOU for your hard work!

USAF Heritage Flight Confirmed

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:02:00 +0000

Prairie Air Show is very excited to announce that ACC and USAF Heritage Flight Foundation have confirmed that in addition to the West Coast A-10 Demo Team we will also have a Heritage Flight which will be flown by Vlado Lenoch in his P-51 Mustang "Moonbeam McSwine". We are currently looking at the possibility of bringing a 3rd Heritage Flight aircraft to the show and will keep you posted on that process! Any qualified Heritage Flight pilots interested please contact airshow@prairieair.org

Ground Attractions Confirmation

noreply@blogger.com (Airshow 1) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:33:00 +0000

Prairie Air Show is excited to announce that confirmation was received today from the US Army and Momentum Worldwide that the Army's "Virtual Army Experience" will be making a repeat appearance at Prairie Air Show 2008! As one of the main attractions on the ground last year we are excited to have this simulator back at the 2008 event.