Returning to the skies, proudly-sponsored by Covington Aircraft, AeroShell Aerobatics will dazzle spectators at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015! In recent years, many have voiced concerns over the safety of air shows, but the talented pilots of AeroShell Aerobatics are putting many of these fears to rest. With nearly 100,000 combined hours of flight time and extensive backgrounds in aviation, the six-member team of AeroShell Aerobatics promises an amazing show this year.
History of AeroShell Aerobatics
Steve Gustafson, the co-founder of AeroShell Aerobatics, described his team as pilots who “learned the right [safe] way to fly.” However, AeroShell Aerobatics began 25 years ago with their first air show. They have performed in hundreds of air shows across North America in incomparable, imposing AT-6 Texan Aircraft. Alan Henley, twin brother of AeroShell-pilot Mark Henley, was the driving force behind the formation of AeroShell Aerobatics. Alan was injured in an incident in 2008, but his determination is an additional testament to Gustafson’s statement about the pilots of AeroShell Aerobatics.
Meet the Team of AeroShell Aerobatics!
- Alan Henley– Alan and Mark Henley grew up with an aviation-enthusiast for a father, who also collected classic aircraft. At age 16, Alan began flying the family T-6. During an air show in Jackson, Mississippi, Alan met Steve, and the two founded AeroShell Aerobatics.
- Steve Gustafson– Steve started flying as a teen and soloed on the family T-6 one year prior to graduating high school. By age 19, Steve had started flying in air shows. Steve has multiple licenses and certifications in Aviation and is an ICAS ACE Examiner. Steve had amassed more than 4,000 flight hours by age 23 and has approximately 24,000 hours today.
- Gene McNeely– A former Navy Pilot, Gene McNeely, has logged thousands of hours of flight as a navy pilot, a flight instructor, and a crop duster. Gene has participated in air shows since 1986 and was inspired by Steve’s father’s performance in an air show at an early age.
- Jimmy Fordham– Jimmy started flying at age 14 with his father’s aircraft. He had obtained a Commercial Pilot’s license by age 18, and started flying air shows in the late 1970s. He has more than 20,000 hours of flight time.
- Mark Henley– Twin to Alan, Mark performed in multiple air shows prior to joining AeroShell and has flown more than 80 different aircraft, which includes many experimental aircraft as well.
- Bryan Regan– Bryan entered AeroShell as a backup pilot, but now, he flies the Right Wing position in AeroShell Aerobatics’ shows. Learning to fly as a college freshman, Bryan attained Commercial Single and Multi-Engine Licenses and has logged more than 7,000 hours in-flight.
If you have never seen an air show in-person, you are missing out. The roars of the propeller-driven AT-6 Texans and amazing smoke-trails have a way of inciting enjoyment, amazement, and inspiration. Come out to EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh 2015—July 20-26—and witness the gravity-defying formations of the AeroShell Aerobatics’ team in action.
You will NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!