Atlantic City Weekly

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If you feel "the need for speed," and aren't in the mood to watch your worn out copy of Top Gun, head for the Atlantic City Boardwalk this coming Wednesday (Aug. 23) for a chance to see the real deal. The fourth annual Atlantic City Air Show: Thunder on the Boardwalk, sponsored this year by the Borgata, will get your heart pumping as both military and civilian pilots fill the sky above the Boardwalk with a magnificent display of precision flying.

While the free AC Air Show has been one of the top beachfront shows since its debut in 2003, this year's show has an unprecedented double bill on tap. Joining the returning stars of the show, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, will be the equally renowned US Navy Blue Angels.

Because of their superstar status, these two top flying teams rarely share the spotlight at one show. The Atlantic City Air Show is the only air show in the world that will have both demonstration teams together this year. It is a special added treat to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service. It is also the 60th birthday of the Blue Angels. And just like Maverick and the Iceman, the Air Force and Navy pilots have a healthy rivalry going. The bottom line at air shows is to display the military might of our nation and to inspire young fans to think about a military career.

Other firsts for this year's show are a presentation by the B-2A Spirit Stealth Bomber, and USAF Heritage Flight demonstrations by the USAF QF-4 Phantom II and the new F-22A Raptor. The Heritage Flight also features a "dissimilar formation" -- today's top fighters in close formation with World War II and Korean War vintage fighters such as the P-51 piloted by William "Bill" Anders. Anders, call sign "Viking," a retired Major General of the USAF Reserve, was a NASA astronaut and crewmember on the historic Apollo 8 Moon flyby during Christmas 1968. Apollo 8, with Anders, Jim Lovell and Frank Borman, was the first flight by mankind away from planet Earth. Anders took the celebrated first picture of earth from the moon, "Earthrise."

The popular US Army Golden Knights parachute team is back for a fourth straight year, joined by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command parachute team. The USAF's newest demonstration team, the F-15E Strike Eagle, is also on tap. On the civilian side, the Geico Skytypers should provide a fun show as they fly vintage World War II SNJ-2s and deliver an aerial message five miles wide and 10 stories tall (see sidebar on next page).

USAF Thunderbirds

Don't forget to give props to the air show's local military hosts, the 177th Fighter Wing Air National Guard Jersey Devils, based in Pomona. The Jersey Devils will present one of numerous military flybys during the show.

Bring your radio and spin the dial to WOND AM 1400 for a live broadcast with narration.

There will be a free post-show concert by Don't Call Me Francis and a block party at Atlantic City Outlets-The Walk. Michigan Avenue will be closed to traffic from Arctic to Baltic avenues. Another after-show event, the Afterburn Bash, will be held at 6pm at Borgata's Gypsy Bar (free admission), featuring the pilots and participants of the Air Show and live music by Lost in Paris. For complete info, check out the award-winning Web site www.atlanticcityairshow.com.

The Atlantic City Air Show, sponsored by the Borgata, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 10am-4:30pm. Florida Ave. and the Boardwalk is the central location. A free show, but for a $10 fee, Flight Club Tickets can be purchased for a reserved section of the beach just south of show center. Bernie Robbins Stadium on Albany Avenue will offer $4 parking with a shuttle running continuously from 7am-5:30pm.

Sky High at the Trop

Only in a casino town could some marketing genius come up with an idea to turn a free show into an expensive and exclusive party. The Tropicana is offering a party during this year's air show at their Top of the Trop, located on the property's 20th floor. This premiere package, dubbed "Sky High at the Trop," is available for up to 65 guests for $25,000, and includes an overnight stay. The package includes a meal of colossal cocktail shrimp, Alaskan King crab, medallions of Maine lobster, Top of the Trop cheesesteaks made with filet mignon, jumbo lump mini-crab cakes, veal Oscar, tuxedo chocolate covered strawberries and fresh fruit fondue. After dessert come cigars from Tinderbox Vino 100.

Gieco Skytypers

Geico has other representatives besides their talking gecko. Steve Kapur, a commercial pilot and flight instructor, is one of the Geico Skytypers, a group of flyers in vintage World War II aircraft that creates giant messages in the sky, with letters 1,500 feet tall. (The puffs of smoke are biodegradable and don't contribute to global warming.)

AC Weekly: So, what is the difference between a skywriter and a skytyper?

Steve Kapur: Skywriting uses a single aircraft that twists and turns to spell out words, one letter at a time. What we do is fly in formation about two or three wing lengths apart. We form the giant head of a dot matrix printer with a computer in the lead aircraft that, via data-link radios, commands the smoke systems in each of the aircraft. As we go across the sky, we spell out the message. It's enjoyable to watch; people like to try and figure out what we are typing.

ACW: What are some of your more interesting assignments?