The Association of Competition Airshow Pilots (ACAP) launches its “eXtreme Airshow Challenge” next month.
“Fans and sponsors can expect all the fun and excitement of a traditional air show, plus much, much more, including performances by some of the best air show pilots in the world,” says Rick Rushing, founder of the ACAP series.
Competitions will be held at 12 venues in 2006. Performers will earn points at each event, similar to NASCAR. Points will be awarded based on showmanship. Pilots will be judged by aviation celebrities and legends, including the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team. At the end of the year, the competitor with the most points will be named the overall Championship Winner.
Pilots expected to compete at each event are Sergei Boriak, Matt Chapman, Jeff Mawhinney, Jon Melby, Nick Nilmeyer, Jim Peitz, Greg Poe and Skip Stewart. “Guest stars,” who will perform before the competition events and act as judges, include Greg Koontz, Mike Goulian and Gene Soucy.
Fans at the live events will be able to ride along with all of the pilots through the use of on-board camera technology that will be broadcast live to giant LED screens. Each event will also be edited to air on national television in one-hour episodes starting this fall.
The first competition is set for Jacksonville/Fernandina Beach, Fla., April 22-23. Other locations include Winston-Salem, N.C., Denton, Texas, Birmingham, Ala., Atlanta, Tulsa, Okla., Des Moines, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit and Lafayette, La.