Performers
In The Air.
The 2023 Wings over Western Kentucky Air Show will feature a wide variety of vintage military aircraft, World War II warbirds, and incredible aerobatic performers. The formal flying display begins at approximately 1:00pm on Saturday, October 7, and runs for approximately two hours. You won't want to miss this thrilling lineup as it takes flight over the Madisonville Regional Airport.
*All performers are subject to change without notice.
Canadair CT-133 Silver Star "Black Knight"
The Canadair CT-133 Silver Star is a Canadian licensed-built version of the iconic T-33 Shooting Star, an intermediate jet trainer used by the U.S. and Canadian air forces between 1950 and the early 2000s. This particular CT-133 is painted in the scheme of 414 Combat Support Squadron "Black Knights" based at 19 Wing Comox, honoring the 75th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Demonstration pilot Bill Culberson will perform the Black Knight CT-133 during the airshow with a series of low-altitude, high-speed passes with airspeeds reaching in excess of 450 miles per hour.
North American P-51 Mustang "Swamp Fox"
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The North American P-51 is arguably the most iconic pursuit aircraft of the Second World War. First flown in October of 1940 under the initial request of the Royal Air Force, the P-51 Mustang went to serve as superb escort fighter, accompanying allied bombers deep behind enemy lines in the European theatre. Owner RT Dickson will display Swamp Fox, a 1944 P-51D Mustang through a high-energy, low-altitude warbird aerobatic demonstration, displaying the raw power and performance of one of the finest allied fighters of World War II.
North American B-25 Mitchell "Show Me"
Known for its daylight raids in Europe and contributions to the famed Doolittle Raid in 1942, the North American Aviation company produced nearly 10,000 B-25 Mitchell bombers. The Missouri Wing's B-25 Mitchell was delivered to the USAAF in 1945 where it served as a trainer for 13 years before being placed in storage in 1958. "Show Me" calls Chesterfield, Missouri home after being acquired by the CAF in 1982. The B-25 depicts the vibrant Pacific theatre paint scheme of the 345th Bomb Group and is one of the few elite bombers of the Commemorative Air Force's "Ghost Squadron".
Misty Blues All Women Parachute Team
Of the nearly 35,000 active skydivers in North America, only 15% are women! The Misty Blues Parachute Team consists of women from all across the United States, joining together to showcase their amazing skydiving skills. These exceptionally talented and brave ladies delight in displaying the parachuting talents that make them some of the most skilled skydivers in the world. The Misty Blues will be performing two parachute jumps during the show, including flying in our American Flag to kick off the event.
Susan Dacy – Super Stearman "Big Red"
Step back in time with aerobatic performer Susan Dacy as she puts the Boeing Super Stearman through it's paces with a dazzling display of barrel rolls, slow, slow rolls, Cuban eights, hammerhead turns, loops, and more. Susan is one of only a few females performing airshows in a biplane nationally, and is the only woman flying exhibition in the Super Stearman. On top of being a professional air show performer, she is a captain for a major airline flying more than 60 different types of aircraft, and has accumulated more than 35,000 hours of flight time.
Skipper Hyle – North American Harvard
The North American AT-6 Texan/Harvard is one of the most iconic aircraft of World War II, serving as the advanced trainer for thousands of American and allied airmen. The British Royal Air Force and the air arms of Commonwealth countries such as Canada called the aircraft the Harvard, and some 10,000 plus were built by North American Aviation in support of the war effort. Pilot Skipper Hyle will display his Harvard MK.5 during the show displaying many of the same aerobatic maneuvers taught to new aviation cadets during World War II.
Brian Correll – Muscle Pitts Biplane
Since 2008, Brian Correll has been thrilling air show audiences across the United States. He hopes to bring his passion for aviation to others as part of his incredibly high-energy and low-level aerobatic displays. Flying the Pitts Special S2B, one of the world's most capable aerobatic biplanes, Brian's aerial performance will feature maneuvers and figures once thought to be impossible. Brian serves as a KC-46 instructor pilot for the Air Force and is a test pilot for Textron Aviation with more than 9,000 hours of flight time.
Charlie Morris – Super Decathlon
Starting with his first airplane ride at the age of 6 with his father and grandfather in Vine Grove, Kentucky, Charlie Morris is a fourth-generation aviator. Charlie served in the Army serving as a Drone operator and after his tour of duty went on to pursue his goals of becoming an air show pilot. Today, he serves as a chief flight instructor at his family's grass airstrip. Flying the Super Decathlon, you'll see a display of airmanship in an aircraft that serves as one of the world's most popular aerobatic training platforms.
Air Show Announcer Luke Carrico
Air Show Announcer Luke Carrico will serve as the voice of the Wings over Western Kentucky Air Show. A professional air show commentator and full-time aerial events consultant, Luke has served as host for some of the largest and most prestigious civilian and military airshows throughout North America and the world. A licensed pilot flying the Piper PA28 Archer and the American Champion Citabria, he participates in nearly two dozen events annually and is one of the most sought-after professional air show announcers in the North American air show industry today.
Air Boss Sam Huffstetler
Air boss Sam Huffstetler is an FAA-recognized, multi-venue air boss, holding the highest level of air boss accreditation. Sam attended North Carolina State University and commissioned into the U.S. Air Force, going on to fly three combat tours in the mighty F-15C Eagle over Bosnia and Iraq. Dubbed "Flipper" by his mates, he wears his callsign with pride. Today, Sam is a professional airshow air boss participating as the orchestra conductor of a variety of aerial events coast-to-coast, and also serves as an A320 Captain and Line Check Airman for a major airline with over 20,000 hours of flight time.
*All performers are subject to change without notice.
