Air Show Performers
The Osceola Wheels and Wings celebration will once again host a spectacular airshow on Saturday, September11th, 2021. The Air Show will begin at 11am, please join us in watching these high flying acts.
Bill Stein AirshowsBill 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.
Bill’s passion for precision flying is evident in his dazzling air show routine. He trains every day so that his skills stay razor sharp, and to maintain the all-out energy and excitement he puts into his air show sequence. Bill’s experience includes competitive aerobatics and years of flying on the world famous Red Baron Stearman Squadron. Bill also gives back to the air show community by mentoring new air show pilots including coaching the “Stars of Tomorrow” team which have performed at many prestigious air shows including the EAA AirVenture Air Show. Bill carries a Commercial Pilot Certificate with airplane multi-engine and single-engine instrument ratings. He has flown air shows in the Pitts Special, Globe Swift, Boeing Stearman, and in his current airplane: The state-of-the-art Zivko Edge 540. http://www.billsteinairshows.com/ Video: http://www.billsteinairshows.com/BSADemoVideo.html |
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Michael Wiskus and the Lucas Oil Pits
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Like many of the show pilots, Mike’s passion for aviation started when he was very young. Mike’s Dad took him to his first air show at their hometown in Iowa at the age of 10. That show made an everlasting impression so deep that at 14, Mike rode his bike to the airport for two weeks straight and bugged the owner for a job washing airplanes and cleaning hangars just to be around airplanes. In school, Mike had a teacher tell him he would never be a pilot. His grades weren’t great and he got into trouble. Later that year a tutor gave him the book The Little Engine that Could, by Watty Piper. It changed his attitude and it helped Mike believe in himself. He traded his work of washing airplanes for flying lessons and received his Pilot’s License on his 17th birthday.
Forty years later, Mike has accumulated more than 25,000 flight hours and has qualified in more than 40 aircraft. He keeps a very busy schedule as a full time air show pilot flying the Lucas Oil stunt plane April through November. “It is incredible to be part of the Lucas Oil Team. Their products as well as their integrity make what I do even more rewarding.” It wasn’t easy getting where he is today, and as Mike would attest, he fought battles every day. Things didn’t always turn out the way he planned, but with each year he believes that one of the biggest impacts in his life and the lives around him was his attitude. With everything he has experienced as a Pilot, Businessman, Husband and Father, Mike still admits to making mistakes every day. But he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity to pass on the same gift of encouragement and attitude that had been given to him by his Parents, Grandparents, 2nd Grade Tutor and all who believe in him and the dreams he still chases. That is why Mike started the “I Can” program in conjunction with his air show. Mike’s air show career is a testimony of how dreams really can come true. As a 2002 U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, and a member of the 2004 U.S. Aerobatic Team, Mike has traveled the World with the same aircraft you will see him performing in at your air show. His excitement for aviation and willingness to share his experience with people around the country is nothing short of contagious in his attempt to help encourage kids of all ages, to not only dream, but to live their dreams and never give up!
https://www.lucasoilairshows.com/
Grant Nielsen Airshows
The Plane
Bubbles is the name we’ve given the CAP 232 due to it’s unique paint scheme. The CAP’s carbon fiber wing is incredibly strong allowing regular stress to both positive and negative 10Gs. The wing’s stiffness allows full span ailerons that will roll Bubbles up to 420 degrees per second, completely blurring the horizon. Even with that strength, the plane is very light. With only 1260 pounds, the 300 horsepower engine easily pulls the plane skyward at up to 3500 feet per minute. While the numbers are impressive at the top end, equally important are the slow speed characteristics. With a huge rudder and elevator placed directly in the prop wash, the controllability at and below stall speed is unprecedented. 
The AnnouncerBrittany Nielsen began working as an Airshow Announcer with Grant Nielsen Airshows in 2015. Her high energy and enthusiasm have audiences on the edge of their seats as she takes them into the cockpit and shares detailed information about the aircraft and the pilots. Brittany loves to educate the audiences and inspire them to appreciate the show and learn more about the spirit of flight and the exhilaration of aerobatics. After the 2015 Airshow Season, Brittany began receiving requests to announce for airshows along with announcing for Grant Nielsen and “Bubbles”. Brittany was excited to expand her Airshow announcing opportunities and continues to book more shows!
Brittany is currently working to complete her private pilot’s license and continue her aviation aspirations. She is truly an avid aviation enthusiast and loves being able to share her passion with others. When she is not surrounded by airplanes and airshows, Brittany works as the Campus Director at UW-Eau Claire – Barron County. She is also in the final stages of completing her Doctorate in Education. Brittany is the proud wife of Grant and loves being able to share the passion of aviation and airshows. |
Grant Nielsen grew up in an aviation loving family. His father was a pilot and his brother was a career Air Force officer. After taking his first aerobatic ride, Grant was “bitten by the bug.” He started taking flying lessons within a month, training in airplanes and gliders concurrently. After getting his private rating in both classes of aircraft, he knew he wanted to learn more and become a better pilot. Grant joined a club in Minneapolis that had a Decathlon aerobatic training airplane.
While learning aerobatics Grant continued to train in other areas and received his Instrument ratings in single and multi engine planes, his Commercial rating in gliders and airplanes, Instructor ratings in single engine, multi engine, and instrument flight, Airline Transport Pilot rating, Flight Engineer rating for turbojet airplanes, and Pilot in Command (Captain) Type Ratings for the Boeing 757, 767 and Airbus 318, 319, 320 and 321 families of airplanes. In 2000 Grant changed careers from design and engineering work to aviation. He now flies Airbus aircraft for a United States Legacy airline. Grant’s aerobatic background started with a lot of great instruction in the Decathlon. After gaining some proficiency, he began flying aerobatic competitions. Nothing shrinks your ego and grows your skill like having 7 judges pick apart every detail of your flying. Eventually Grant also started giving aerobatic instruction, and learned more from his students than he thought possible. After 14 years of competition, Grant’s mentors thought he was ready to dip a toe into the air show water in 2012. Flying air shows has been a lifelong dream for Grant and he feels incredibly blessed to be able to accomplish it. After over 4500 hours of flight time, he still looks forward to every flight. Some of the maneuvers you will see include the Hammerhead, the Torque Roll, the Cuban 8, the Half Cuban 8, the Shark’s Tooth, and of course Loops and Rolls. |
http://gnairshows.com/photos/
Erik Edgren Airshows
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Erik Edgren A.K.A. Hobie Washburn, is a natural airshow performer – personable to the public, engaging to the media and a rare, polished stick and rudder pilot. His family-friendly comedy and finesse aerobatics act make him a unique change of pace and entertaining addition to any airshow. Erik can’t remember his first airplane ride…because he wasn’t born yet! He began “training” at the age of 6. He sat on his father’s lap and flew on instruments. Erik was ready for solo at the age of 8 thru the use of a tailor made seat and control extensions. At age 10, he learned spins, which sparked his lifelong passion for aerobatics.
Erik has worked as a Flight Instructor, an Instructor/Pilot for an air combat school in the AT-6/SNJ and as a Corporate Pilot in Lear Jets, Kings Airs, etc. He has flown over 140 different makes and models of aircraft. A farmer by trade, Erik takes to the air as naturally as he plants his fields. A modest but gifted pilot, Erik is thrilled to be living his dream flying a one of a kind comedy/aerobatic act in the “T-Clips.”
The “T-Clips” was originally built by Taylorcraft in 1939. It was “Clipped” for aerobatics in 1997 by Steve Givens using a mix of both the Swick and Legendary Duane Cole plans. Erik has further modified the T-Clips with inverted fuel and oil and airshow smoke systems making it an optimal and unique “up close and personal”, crowd-pleasing airshow machine. It may be the only Clip T performing in airshows today with the “old school” Continental C-85.
Airshows are a family affair for the Edgrens. Erik’s beautiful wife Stephanie and his son John enjoy flying and attend almost every airshow with Erik.
https://erikedgrenairshows.com/
Erik has worked as a Flight Instructor, an Instructor/Pilot for an air combat school in the AT-6/SNJ and as a Corporate Pilot in Lear Jets, Kings Airs, etc. He has flown over 140 different makes and models of aircraft. A farmer by trade, Erik takes to the air as naturally as he plants his fields. A modest but gifted pilot, Erik is thrilled to be living his dream flying a one of a kind comedy/aerobatic act in the “T-Clips.”
The “T-Clips” was originally built by Taylorcraft in 1939. It was “Clipped” for aerobatics in 1997 by Steve Givens using a mix of both the Swick and Legendary Duane Cole plans. Erik has further modified the T-Clips with inverted fuel and oil and airshow smoke systems making it an optimal and unique “up close and personal”, crowd-pleasing airshow machine. It may be the only Clip T performing in airshows today with the “old school” Continental C-85.
Airshows are a family affair for the Edgrens. Erik’s beautiful wife Stephanie and his son John enjoy flying and attend almost every airshow with Erik.
https://erikedgrenairshows.com/
