AeroShell Aerobatic Team 2023 Media Kit

The AeroShell Aerobatic Team has been delivering their amazing aerobatic formation demonstration for over three decades in front of millions, and in that time their performances have become some of the most sought after in the airshow industry. The men comprising this team not only know how to deliver a great performance, but they also have the type of likable, "gentlemen pilot" personalities that engender trust and confidence. Mark, Steve, Bryan, and Jimmy are perfect brand ambassadors. They are genuine, hands-on and down to earth, with the kind of work ethic and passion that bring real authenticity to the sponsors and products they represent.

Dependable, safe, professional, exciting, dynamic and fun; these are all words that, regardless of what they are describing, are key when they are used to promote any brand or activity, and they very truly describe the AeroShell Aerobatic Team.

Whether they are in the sky or on the ground, the rules for the Team are the same: Do it with precision, do it with style, and do it safely. Represent your team and your brand with the constant thought that the most important people in the world are watching, so be sure to always give them your best.

The AeroShell Aerobatic Team is globally known and has the reputation for delivering excellence both in flight and in person. Let us show you how we can put our experience and results to work for you!

Team History

In 1985, Alan Henley and Steve Gustafson were at an airshow in Lake Providence, LA. They were discussing how Steve’s father Merle, who had recently passed away, had done a twoship formation aerobatic routine. Steve and Alan decided to practice and try a few maneuvers themselves. They performed their first formation aerobatic routine that weekend. Later that year, aerobatic pilot Ben Cunningham joined Steve and Alan and they formed the North American Aerobatic Team. The three flew together in their AT-6 Texans for 12 years. Gene McNeely came on board to fly shows while Steve was working his family business. Another pilot, Morris Ray, flew with them as well during this time.

After Ben Cunningham retired in 1997, Alan’s twin brother Mark joined the team. Steve’s schedule allowed him to come back full time, and Gene McNeely also joined the team full time. This was the beginning of the now-legendary four-ship formation. In 2001, the team signed an agreement with Aeroshell, and thus became the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, a sponsorship that is still in full force twenty-one years later.

Alan was injured in a fall in 2008, and was no longer able to fly. Bryan Regan stepped in, and the team continued on with Alan coaching and staying involved as the team’s mentor. In 2010, Jimmy Fordham began filling in when the team needed him to fly. Jimmy moved full time into the slot position when Gene McNeely retired from the team in 2017.

Today, the AeroShell Aerobatic Team thrills millions with what has become one of the most recognizable and well-known airshow performance teams in the world. Their reputations as humble, safe, and professional ambassadors of flight has earned them recognition with the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship award and the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, two of the industry’s highest honors, and in 2013 they were inducted into the ICAS Foundation Air Show Hall of Fame.

The AeroShell Team, Past and Present

L to R: Gene McNeely, Jimmy Fordham, Mark Henley, Alan Henley, Ben Cunningham, Steve Gustafson, Bryan Regan

The Pilots

Team Lead - Mark Henley

Mark has been flying airshows for over 35 years. He has flown over 100 different types of aircraft and has type ratings in the AD4 Skyraider, Grumman TBM, Boeing B-17, Douglas DC3, Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the North American B-25 Mitchell. He holds a letter of Authorization (LOA) that covers all piston powered experimental aircraft, single and multiengine. Mark is also a Designated Pilot Examiner and a certified Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic.

Right Wing - Bryan Regan

Bryan dreamed of flying for most of his childhood. The Aeroshell Team found itself in need of a backup pilot in the summer of 2008, and with his commercial, single and multi-engine license, instrument rating and over 7,500 hours, Bryan had both the availability and the experience to fill the position. His flying expertise includes flying all four positions with the Red Baron Pizza Squadron.

Left Wing -Steve Gustafson

Steve soloed the very T-6 he flies with the Team while a junior in high school. He holds a commercial, single and multiengine instructor rating, seaplane, and also type ratings in the F4U Corsair and B-25 Mitchell. Steve has also been a certified aerial applicator for over 30 years and is an ICAS ACE examiner. Steve was one of the original founders of the Team and inherited his flying skills from his Dad, Merle Gustafson, a well known and beloved pilot in the aviation family.

Slot - Jimmy Fordham

Jimmy began flying at age 14, taught by his father. By age 18 he had obtained his commercial, instrument, multiengine, seaplane, and instructor ratings. He was introduced to airshow flying in the late 1970’s by Marion Cole and Merle Gustafson. During this time he flew a Pitts Special, Midget Mustang, and Schweitzer 126 Sailplane. Jimmy has over 21,000 hours of flight time and has captained with major airlines for over 30 years.

North American AT-6 "Texan"

Nicknamed “The Pilot Maker”, the North American AT-6 Texan first appeared in 1938. Originally designed as a basic trainer for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), the Texan was the primary training platform for all U.S. airmen in World War II that went on to fly fighter aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang, F4U Corsair, P-40 Warhawk, and others.

The Texan trained several hundred thousand pilots in 34 different countries. Its basic design was as a trainer, with the characteristics of a high speed fighter, and was well suited to the intermediary task of training pilots before letting them loose in an actual fighter aircraft. A pilot's airplane, it could roll, Immelmann, loop, spin, snap, and vertical roll. It was used to train pilots in all aspects of tactical operations, such as dog-fighting, ground strafing, carrier landings, and bombardment. It also included the capacity for fixed and flexible guns, cameras, and just about any other device that the military required.

The AeroShell Aerobatic Team flies several variants of the AT-6 to perform their incredible displays of formation dances in the sky.

The Show

The Team flies a precision four-ship demonstration that puts those AT-6 Texans through their paces in incredible fashion. Tight formation loops, rolls, bomb-bursts, and breathtaking breakaways are all part of the display which always leaves crowds on their feet and cheering for more.

One of the most unique features that the AeroShell Aerobatic Team brings to an airshow is their ability to fly an amazing twilight performance. Dramatic lighting and illuminated smoke trails combine with spectacular aerobatics to deliver an exciting and unmatched aerial ballet.

No matter when or where they fly, a top priority for the Team is their connection to the crowd. Fans are never disappointed when they come to the flightline for an autograph, and Mark, Steve, Brian and Jimmy always cheerfully sign until the last admirer is taken care of.

2023 Schedule

FEBRUARY

26: Laredo, TX

MARCH 25-26: Barksdale AFB, LA

27-31: SUN 'n FUN, Lakeland, FL

APRIL

1-2: SUN 'n FUN, Lakeland, FL

15-16: NAS Key West, FL

MAY

5-7: Monroe, LA

20-21: Lake Charles, LA

JUNE

2-4: Bryant, AR

10-11: Greenwood Lakes, NJ

17-18: Wausau, WI

24-25: Davenport, IA

30-July1: Tyler, TX

JULY

7-8: Tarkio, MO

22: Lake Bruin, LA

24-30: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, WI

SEPTEMBER

2-3: Cleveland, OH

8-10: Montreal, CN

16-17: Owensboro, KY

22-24: Robinson, IL

30: Greenville, MS

OCTOBER

Sep 30-1: Fayette County, TN

13-14: Louisville, MS

23-24: Hammond, LA

NOVEMBER

10-12: Stuart, FL

25: New Bern, NC

DECEMBER

1-2: Key Largo, FL

AeroShell Aerobatic Team USA Tour 2023

Audience Reach

TOTAL 2022 LIVE ATTENDANCE: 1.586M

TOTAL LIVE IMPRESSIONS: +/- 45M

IMPRESSIONS VALUE: $2,420,800

EARNED MEDIA VALUE: $4,220,000

Live airshow appearances are the mainstay of the AeroShell Team's impact, and they are seen by millions of fans each year. At each show, local media are invited along for rides that appear on local television news and print, reaching millions more. We make sure the reporters have a great time, as seen in the piece below that we arranged for FOX Business News in 2022:

Each event is unique and carries a different story about the Team, always showcasing the aircraft and pilots.

Social Media

The AeroShell Team always has consistent coverage at each event by traditional media, and we see that same fervor reflected in our growing social media channels. We have professional content and analytics management in place to leverage these powerful communication and messaging platforms to their fullest potential. These results below from 2022 show how we can turn fun and exciting posts into serious marketing tools for our sponsors. YouTube coverage by others is incredible as well, with over 5700 videos currently online featuring the Team.

2022 Performance

Facebook / Instagram

Reach: 1,069,594

Impressions: 1,543,642

The Team was featured in 2022 on the Straight and Level series on Amazon Prime. The show has been seen by over a million viewers to date.

Link to video and story

Demographics

Airshow fans are among the most loyal and reliable in the world. In fact, total attendance at airshows nationwide is second only to Major League Baseball! The statistics below are representative of most airshows in any given market, and showcase their wide range of appeal across all ages. The outdoor fresh air environment is particularly welcoming to families. They enjoy the wide open spaces and great elbow room, even at events hosting millions due to the crowd being spead out in spaces measured in millions of square feet along large runways or even beaches. This fact helped airshows return much sooner as COVID restrictions were relaxed in 2021vs. other events.