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Performers are not listed in order of appearance. The schedule is decided the morning of the show by the pilots.

Performers are subject to change.

(click on images to enlarge) 

Royal Air Force Red Arrows

For over a hundred years the Royal Air Force has defended the skies of Britain and projected Britain’s power and influence around the world.

Today the RAF is engaged in 15 missions on 4 continents in 22 countries.

For more information on the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, visit www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/red-arrows/

U.S. Navy Blue Angels

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels have been astounding audiences since 1946 with their commanding presence and aerial maneuvers in their F/A-18 Hornets. As role models for men and women of all ages this elite group of Navy pilots defy gravity with their famous diamond formation and precision flying. the team has thrilled more than 427 million fans choreographed aerobatic and high altitude performance maneuvers. In their F/A 18 Hornets, the six-jet team is known for its six-jet Delta Formation, as well as the graceful maneuvers of its solo pilots.

For more information on the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, visit www.navy.mil/local/blueangels/

U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights

Jumping out of an aircraft 12,500 feet above the earth's surface, racing to North Avenue Beach at speeds exceeding 120 mph and landing with smiles, ready to do it all again; all in a days work for the Golden Knights. For more than 50 years, the U.S. Army Parachute team has amazed and thrilled audiences with their precision parachute demonstrations in more than 14,000 shows in all 50 states and 48 countries.

For more information on the U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights, visit www.goarmy.com/events/golden-knights.html

U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs

A typical Leap Frogs performance consists of fourteen jumpers leaping out of an aircraft at an altitude of 12,500 feet. During free fall, jumpers reach speeds of 120 mph and can accelerate up to 180 mph by pulling their arms to their sides and straightening their legs into what is called a "track."

The jumpers typically open their parachutes at around 5,000 feet by releasing a smaller pilot chute which deploys their main blue-and-gold canopy. After deploying their chutes, the Leap Frogs fly their canopies together to build dramatic canopy-relative work formations.

For more information on the U.S. Navy Parachute Team Leap Frogs, visit leapfrogs.navy

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo

The F-22 Raptor defines air dominance. The 5th Generation F-22’s unique combination of stealth, speed, agility, and situational awareness, combined with lethal long-range air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry, makes it the best air dominance fighter in the world.

For more information on the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/f22.html

USMC Osprey Demo

The Osprey is an American multi-mission, tiltrotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.

USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II

The A-10 Thunderbolt II is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.

For more information on the A-10, visit www.af.mil

KC-135 Stratotanker

The mainstay of the U.S. Air Force’s strategic aerial refueling fleet, the KC-135 Stratotanker is a military version of the 1950s-era 707 commercial passenger jet. The Air Force inventory of 732 aircraft are more than 50 years old and have been retrofitted several times with new engines, avionics and structural upgrades.

Four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings, power the KC-135 to takeoffs at gross weights of up to 322,500 pounds. A cargo deck above the refueling system can hold a mixed load of passengers and cargo. Depending on fuel storage configuration, the KC-135 can carry up to 83,000 pounds of cargo.

www.military.com/equipment/kc-135-stratotanker

C-130 Hercules

The workhorse of the Air Force combat airlift fleet, the C-130 Hercules has been in service for more than half a century. Designed specifically to transport troops and equipment in the combat zone via airdrop or short runways, the Hercules operates throughout the U.S. Air Force serving with Air Mobility Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command, fulfilling a wide range of operational missions in both peace and war situations.

www.military.com/equipment/c-130-hercules

T-38 Talon

The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record.

The T-38 has swept wings, a streamlined fuselage and tricycle landing gear with a steerable nose wheel. Two independent hydraulic systems power the ailerons, rudder and other flight control surfaces. Critical aircraft components are waist high and can be easily reached by maintenance crews.

www.military.com/equipment/t-38-talon

U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter

U.S. Coast Guard MH-65D Dolphin Helicopter Search and Rescue Demonstration An MH-65D "Dolphin" helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City will perform a simulated air-sea helicopter rescue. Watch as the helicopter's rescue swimmer free-falls from 30 feet into Lake Michigan, recover a simulated survivor, and is hoisted back to safety. U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan was established in 1946 and is a part of the United States Coast Guard's Ninth District, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The Air Station is responsible for a 24/7 watch over the Great Lakes with its five MH-65D helicopters. In addition to its year round rescue capability in Traverse City, the Air Station currently operates a seasonal Air Facility in Waukegan, Illinois from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer. Air Station Traverse City's area of operations includes all of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

For more information on the U.S. Coast Guard, visit www.gocoastguard.com

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter

United States Coast Guard Cutter is the term used by the U.S. Coast Guard for its commissioned vessels. They are 65 feet (19.8 m) or greater in length and have a permanently assigned crew with accommodations aboard. They carry the ship prefix USCGC.

www.gocoastguard.com

American Airlines

American Airlines is committed to reinvesting in its products and services to improve the travel experience for its customers. American's investment in its fleet is the latest in a series of strategic investments the company believes are necessary to enhance the overall customer experience, as well as maintain and grow market share.

For more information on American Airlines, visit www.aa.com

Bill Stein Aerosport

Bill Stein has logged over 5,000 hours of aerobatic and formation flight. Bill began flying aerobatics when he was still a student pilot and has been dedicated to perfecting his skills ever since. Since 1995 Bill has performed at air shows all across the United States and has entertained millions air show fans.

For more information on Bill Stein, visit www.billsteinairshows.com

Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Resue

The Air Sea Rescue Unit was established in 1965, where they provide search and rescue services for 37 miles of lakefront, an extensive river system, numerous lakefront venues, and the largest harbor system in the U.S.

Chicago’s busy lakefront offers the Air Sea Rescue Unit unique emergency challenges including, assistance to boats in distress, water rescues and air search missions. Divers assigned to the Air Sea Rescue Unit are trained under public safety rescue diver guidelines specific to Chicago’s needs and particular environment. Air pilots are trained in helicopter search and rescue, and hoist rescue techniques patterned after nationally recognized standards. The Air Sea Rescue Unit uses two (2) Bell 412 EP helicopters to aid in their efforts. This equipment is used for multi-mission roles, which include administrative, law enforcement, and primarily search and rescue flights. The unit also has dive rescue vehicles equipped with the latest available communications devices, full facemask and dry suit dive equipment, and lighting for night operations. They also have a dedicated swimming pool for training the members.

Chicago Police Department Helicopter

The focus of these aircraft is to provide an additional resource to ground units. The use of Helicopters as resources enhance the capabilities of first responders through the deterrence and prevention of crime, by hardening of targets through focused aerial patrol, increasing response time – by quickly delivering personnel and equipment to the incident scene, and assisting in command and control by outfitting the aircraft with necessary equipment to provide critical communications across multiple jurisdictions.

chicagopolice.org

Sean D. Tucker & Team Oracle

Sean D. Tucker’s life is marked by a search for excellence and perfected skill. He is not satisfied unless he is learning, refining a skill, or conquering a fear. Whether he is heli-skiing, cave SCUBA diving, golfing, or flying his one-of-a kind aerobatic dream machine, Sean D. Tucker is full-throttle and extremely accomplished.

In airshow flying, Sean is the world’s premier performer in terms of entertainment value, piloting skill and most importantly, professionalism. He has been flying airshows world-wide since the mid-70’s and has won numerous aerobatic competitions. In that time, Sean has flown more than 1000 performances at more than 425 airshows, in front of more than 80 million fans. In addition to being a phenomenal aviator, Sean is also a larger than life character who touches the heart of his fans and inspires millions of Americans.

Susan Dacy in the Super Stearman Model 70

Susan is one of only a few females performing airshows in a biplane, and is the only woman flying exhibition in the Super Stearman. Attending airshows as a child, Susan remembers being in awe of the big, loud, smoky biplanes. As a teenager, yearning to fly, Susan felt the only way to fly a Stearman was to have one of her own. At the family airport, located in Harvard, Illinois, Susan worked in the office, fueled planes, and eventually acquired a re-buildable Stearman Project. While in high school, every spare hour was spent restoring the aircraft, which she still owns and operates today.

At sixteen Susan learned to fly in a Piper Cub (her Stearman wasn’t yet ready). She attended Southern Illinois University, where she earned a degree in Aviation Operations and Systems, along with aircraft mechanic’s licenses. Following college, Susan pursued flying jobs throughout the country. Scurrying cancelled checks before midnight deadlines in twin engine airplanes, flying for commuter airlines, and even pipeline patrol was eventually rewarded with a job offer from American Airlines. Susan is a Chicago based International Captain, currently flying 777. Susan has flown more than sixty different types of aircraft, and has logged more than 33,000 hours.

For more information, visit dacyairshows.com

The Firebirds Delta Team

The Firebirds flight demonstration combines the precision of formation aerobatics with radical gyroscopic tumbles and heart stopping head-on madness guaranteed to keep you on the edge.

Matt Chapman Air Shows

Matt Chapman is recognized as an extraordinary aerobatic pilot who thrills millions of airshow fans each summer. He began flying aerobatics in 1984 and quickly worked his way up to the highest level of competition aerobatics – the Unlimited category. Recognized for his skills, he won one of only five slots on the U.S. Unlimited Men’s Aerobatic Team in 1996 and 1998.

Matt also won the prestigious International Aerobatic Club Championships in 1994 and the Fond du Lac Cup in 1995.

Matt’s exciting competition aerobatics led him to airshow performing. Matt is both a solo performer and flies formation in a thrilling show with fellow performer Mike Mancuso.

Matt is also a respected airline captain with tens of thousands of flight hours.

Warbird Heritage Museum Foundation P-51 Mustang

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range single-seat World War II fighter aircraft. Designed and built in just 117 days to a specification issued to NAA by the British Purchasing Commission, the Mustang first flew in Royal Air Force (RAF) service as a fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft before conversion to a bomber escort, employed in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. The P-51 was in service with Allied air forces in Europe and also saw limited service against the Japanese in the Pacific War.

For more information on the Warbird Heritage Museum Foundation P-51 Mustang, visit warbirdheritagefoundation.org