Red Bull – Fully Aerobatic Helicopter

Pilot: Charles "Chuck" Aaron

Helicopter: Eurocopter/Messerschmitt Bölkow Blohm Bo-105 CBS

Performance: Only aerobatic helicopter in the US. Performs loops and rolls, Aaron can make the helicopter go through almost the entire regimen of maneuvers previously reserved for fixed wing aircraft. The Split-S, Immelman, Half Cuban Eight, and even the challenging Lomcevak, slightly modified by Aaron for the helicopter



Skydiving is the sport of jumping out of aircraft at high altitude, free falling and then deploying a parachute. The Red Bull Air Force skydivers are pioneers of a discipline called “Free Flying” which allows freedom of movement, or flying in a 3D space. Free flying is not limited to flying on your belly, but rather flying in every position imaginable.

United States Coast Guard

Pilot: TBD

Helicopter: Eurocopter HH-65C Dolphin

Performance: During helicopter rescue operations, the flight mechanic operates the hoist and is in constant dialog with the pilot to position the helicopter over the individuals in distress. If necessary, the rescue swimmer is lowered to secure the individual in a harness or basket.

California Highway Patrol

Pilot: SGT Kirk Chaney

Helicopter: Eurocopter AStar

Performance: Using a hoist the CHP demonstrates their ability to maneuver rescue help into areas not accessible by any other means.

California Department of Forestry

Pilot: Gerry Gartin

Helicopter: Bell Super Huey

Performance: The destruction from a wildfire can be catastrophic and while most people get as far away from an out-of-control wildfire the brave men and women of the CDF are heading directly in. Most terrain in California wildfires is inaccessible so the helicopter takes in the “Hot Shots” to do their work and then provides relieve with bucket drops of water.

Bayside RC Club

Performance: Don't ever talk about real helicopters or real helicopter pilots to these guys. These are Remote Control (RC) helicopters and they are just a smaller scale then their big brothers but non-the-less a real helicopter than their full size counter parts. And the pilots who fly them require the same amount of skill level as those who fly the full size versions. You will be amazed at what these powerful little helicopters can do.

Airship Ventures Zeppelin

Pilot: Katharine Board

Performance: After an absence of three quarters of a century, Zeppelin travel has returned to San Francisco Bay. Airship Ventures scenic flights currently originate from historic Moffett Field in Mountain View, as well as Oakland and Monterey Airports.. Flights are planned to start in Sonoma County later this year. The tour routes offer distinctly different sights and experiences. Custom routes and destinations can be planned for specific purposes within and outside the San Francisco Bay Area.

Cruising at an altitude of 1,200 feet at 35 to 40 mph, passengers literally have the world at their feet. Large, expansive windows surround the cabin to allow 360° panoramas of favorite Bay Area views. Passengers enjoy vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, sailboats on the Bay, the Oakland Bay Bridge, Treasure Island and the Marin Headlands as seldom seen before. To arrange a tour and experience this amazing aircraft firsthand, contact Airship Ventures at www.airshipventures.com

The Zeppelin will drop into Vertical Challenge Saturday morning

Dan Buchanan

Performance: Dan launches with his glider from atop a moving vehicle driving down the runway at about 30mph with the flag, streamers and bright orange smoke trailing. He steadily tow-climbs to an altitude of 1,200 -1,800' while speaking live via a radio link to the audience,. A variable tension winch on the launch vehicle can spin out up to 3,000' of tow-line during his ascent.

Dan will perform a number of challenging "aerial water-ski turns" as the tow vehicle U-turns during his climb to keep him in front of the audience.

Now, watch as he descends, wheels, circles and dives to a stirring musical accompaniment. During his graceful descent, smoke and streamers trail behind, punctuated with brilliant flashes and streaks of custom special effects

Dan continues the fun by talking and waving to the crowd while landing smooth and slow right near the showline.

It’s now when the crowd discovers that Dan can’t walk as the helicopter delivers the wheelchair on a long line into his hand.

Bay Area Sundowners Kite Team

Pilot: Barry Nash, Gordon Osterland, Ken Osterland and Randy Tom

Performance: With their signature Hyperkite team stacks pulling long 40 foot tails, the Bay Area Sundowners are one of the most exciting teams in sports kite flying today. Originally named after a US Naval Flight team, the "Sundowners" have been part of the Kite community for over twenty years. Although none of the original team members remain, the traditions that drive the team’s desire to please and "wow" audiences are as strong as ever. The team's large colorful stacks of kites weave intricate patterns in the sky while the flyers, move and weave their bodies to keep the lines clear. Performance routines are carefully crafted and choreographed to emotional music which rarely leaves a dry eye in the house.

Jet Pack International Go Fast Jet Pack
Cancelled due to technical problems
Pilot: Eric Scott

Performance: Without anything resembling an aircraft, a wingless man with a backpack spouting superheated steam and, making a tremendous noise takes to the air. It’s not an illusion! It is, in fact, a man flying—a Rocket Man!

The Jet Pack has been the WOW Factor in top films like STARWARS, MINORITY REPORT and James Bond movies like Thunderball. It has captured the imagination in TV Shows ranging from LOST IN SPACE to BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER and even cartoon characters such as Peter Griffin from FAMILY GUY and Homer Simpson have donned a Jet Pack.