2019 Central Coast AirFest

OFFICAL PROGRAM PRINTED BY

PACIFIC PREMIER BANK速 PACIFIC PREMIER BANK速 PACIFIC PREMIER BANK速 PACIFIC PREMIER BANK速

Get ready for a weekend of family fun and aerial excitement. It’s time for the 2nd annual Central Coast AirFest scheduled for October 12th and 13th. With entertainment in the sky and on the ground, a fleet of gourmet food trucks, a craft beer garden, a Kid’s Zone, souvenirs and informational booths from many of our local community groups, the Central Coast AirFest has something for everyone.

On behalf of the Santa Maria Public Airport District, our Board of Directors and hardworking airport staff, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you inside our fences to enjoy this family event. For months the airport has been working with our Air Show Director, Chris Kunkle and the AirFest Planning Committee made up of community volunteers assisting with planning the event. I can’t tell you how exciting our first AirFest promises to be.

The community support for this event has never been stronger and more enthusiastic based on the generosity of sponsorship donations. The committee has booked a number of outstanding performers to provide demonstrations of their skills and talents.

These world-renowned headliners include:        

USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team USAF Heritage Flight with P-38 Lightning Tucker’s Air Patrol Rob Holland Bill Stein Vicky Benzing Ace Maker Sammy Mason

       

Commemorative Air Force P-15 Demo Jason Somes Mig-17 John Collver “Wardog” VFA-151 Vigilantes F-18 Flight Red Bull Helicopter Demo Red Bull Air Force Jumpers Smoke n Thunder Jet Truck Pyro by Firewalkers International

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Our ability to help make the Central Coast AirFest a top-notch, quality attraction for the community depends largely on the support of community sponsors. Our sponsors represent all types of businesses from all over the Central Coast. This community event will bring more awareness to aviation careers and enable us to give back to the community through aviation scholarships and monetary support to volunteer organizations.

I encourage you to speak with your corporate decision makers about being a part of next year’s show as a way to support the community and market your business.

I would also like to offer a word of thanks to the AirFest Planning Committee, who dedicated a wealth of time to bring this world-class event that will by enjoyed by thousands of air show fans to Santa Maria.

Sincerely

CHRIS HASTERT, CM General Manager

Airshows chronicle history, bring community together Events also get young people interested in careers Jim Bray C E N T R A L COAST AI RFEST COMMITTEE‌

PLEASE SEE HISTORY, Page A19

Peter Klein, Contributor‌

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‌The Central Coast Airfest Committee, along with the Santa Maria Airport, is very excited to present the second annual Central Coast Airfest at the Santa Maria Airport on Oct. 12-13.

The history of airshows goes back almost to the dawn of aviation itself.

The first was the Grande Semaine d’Aviation de la Champagne, held near Reims, France in August 1909. As with airshows today, it was designed to show off the latest aircraft and advancements in aviation technology; and almost all of the prominent aviators of the time took part. Over 500,000 visitors attended the event.

It was sponsored by many of the leading makers of Champagne, including Moet et Chandon and Mumm. The first major airshow in the United States was the Los Angeles International Air Meet at Dominquez Field, which took place in January 1910. It is estimated that 254,000 people attended this 11-day event.

Today, airshows are as popular as ever.

The Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Field (where Lindbergh landed), along with the Farnborough Airshow in England, are two of the largest airshows in the world, followed by airshows in Dubai and Singapore. Le Bourget has been held every odd-year since 1949, and in 2017 attracted over 180,000 general public visitors as well as an estimated 3,450 journalists.

The Farnborough International Airshow is a week-long airshow, that is held every even-numbered year. It is held at the Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, United Kingdom, and is the second-largest after the Paris Air Show.

In addition to these major events, there are approximately 350 airshows per year in the U.S. and Canada.

Old warbirds were on display in 2018 as part of the inaugural Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Airport.

Frank Cowan Contributor‌ Frank Cowan Contributor‌

Designer and builder Dustin Otterbath, of Santa Ynez watches as airshow spectators enter his photo and music booth he made from a Jet Stream 31 and 727 Cowling at the Central Coast AirFest at Santa Maria Airport in 2018.

Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds show one of their signature formations during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest at Santa Maria Airport.

Participants try to move a 30,000-pound fighter jet that will be used for the first “plane pull” at October’s Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Public Airport.

Organizers hope to raise $30,000 to support North County Special Olympics athletes.

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Len Wood, Staff

Central Coast AirFest Schedule OCT. 12

Saturday: 9:00 am Gates Open 10:30-11:30 am Radio Control Aircraft Demonstration 11:50 am Red Bull Flag Drop 12:00 pm Opening CeremonyAirshow starts 12:11 pm 9th Recon Flybys 12:17 pm John Collver 12:30 pm Eric Tucker Dead Stick 12:41 pm Bill Stein 12:54 pm Smoke and Thunder/Pyro 1:10 pm Santa Barbara County Demo 1:21 pm CAF SoCal P-51 Demo

1:32 pm VFA-151 1:38 pm Eric Tucker Veh Land/Pyro 1:54 pm Vicky Benzing 2:05 pm Red Bull Jump Demo 2:11 pm Red Bull Heli Aero 2:22 pm Rob Holland/Pyro 2:43 pm Ace Maker 2:44 pm Jason Somes 2:50 pm Sammy Mason 3:01 pm Eric Tucker Vehicle Take Off 3:07 pm ACC F-16 Viper Demo/Pyro 3:38 pm USFS Heritage Flight 5:00 pm Gates Close

OCT. 13 Sunday:

8:00-10:30 am Special Olympics Plane-Pull 9:00 am Gates Open 10:30-11:30 am Radio Control Aircraft Demonstration 11:50 am Red Bull Flag Drop 12:00 pm Opening CeremonyAirshow starts 12:11 pm 9th Recon Flybys 12:17 pm John Collver 12:30 pm Eric Tucker Dead Stick 12:41 pm Bill Stein 12:54 pm Smoke and Thunder/Pyro 1:10 pm Santa Barbara County Demo

1:21 pm CAF SoCal P-51 Demo 1:32 pm VFA-151 1:38 pm Eric Tucker Veh Land/Pyro 1:54 pm Vicky Benzing 2:05 pm Red Bull Jump Demo 2:11 pm Red Bull Heli Aero 2:22 pm Rob Holland/Pyro 2:43 pm Ace Maker 2:44 pm Jason Somes 2:50 pm Sammy Mason 3:01 pm Eric Tucker Vehicle Take Off 3:07 pm ACC F-16 Viper Demo/Pyro 3:38 pm USFS Heritage Flight 5:00 pm Gates Close

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2018 Central Coast AirFest recognized with first place Pinnacle Platinum Award for best Small Civilian Air Show

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he 2018 Central Coast Airfest was recently awarded the first place Pinnacle Platinum Award for best Small Civilian Air Show category in 2018 by the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).

The award was presented at the annual ICAS convention in Las Vegas on Dec. 5 to Chris Kunkle, Airfest Committee chairman, Christ Hastert, Santa Maria Airport General Manager, and Henry Behel, producer and director of the Airfest’s video, The Inventor’s Dream, that was part of the award nomination package.

“We were absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the top civilian airshow by ICAS, particularly since this was our first airshow” said Kunkle. “We could not have done this without the tremendous support of the airport district, volunteers, and our great sponsors.”

ICAS, founded in 1967, is a trade association of industry professionals who protect and promote airshows in North America. It provides information to air show sponsors and pilots; promotes safety at all aviation events, and works with government agencies to develop air show safety standards. The ICAS Pinnacle Awards program seeks to showcase professionalism, innovation in problem solving, and overall excellence in all air show operations and management.

The Platinum and Gold Pinnacle Award recipients are selected for each of the following categories: Small Civilian Air Shows (less than 15,000 spectators), Mid-Size Civilian Air Shows (more than 15,000, less than 35,000 spectators), Large Civilian Air Shows (more than 35,000 spectators), Military Air Shows/Open Houses, Civilian Performers, Military Performers and Support Service Providers.

All entries are judged by

Contributed‌

Chris Kunkle, Airfest Committee chairman, second from left, and Mike Whitford, second from right, with Central Coast AirFest, receive the Pinnacle Platinum Award for the 2018 show with members of the Royal Canadian Snowbirds.

“We were absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as the top civilian airshow by ICAS, particularly since this was our first airshow.

We could not have done this without the tremendous support of the airport district, volunteers, and our great sponsors.”

— Chris Kunkle, AirFest Committee chairman a panel of air show industry subject matter experts. They base their assessment on areas such as improving the longterm sustainability of the air show, and generate increased

interest in aviation or careers in science, technology, engineering and math. They also look at how successfully the airshow is run and achieves its stated purposes.

Peter Klein, Contributor‌

The Snowbirds put on a spectacular show during the second day of the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

SIGHTS FROM 2018 CENTRAL COAST AIRFEST Photos by Frank Cowan

ABOVE: Spectators look under a 1970’s era Warthog jet fighter during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria airport.

LEFT: Cruse Woesseer, 5, of Santa Maria gets an inside look at a Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue helicopter during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest at Santa Maria airport.

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Sammy Mason, flying a Pitt, looks tiny against a smoke trail during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest at Santa Maria airport.

RIGHT: Experimental aircraft owner Vance Breese, of Santa Maria, left, shows William Linn, 13, of Colorado Springs a checklist for Breese’s aircraft during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

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Vietnam veteran, former prisoner of war, and motivational speaker Capt. Charles Plumb will be among the honored guests at Central Coast AirFest 2019.

CHARLES PLUMB to be honored guest at AirFest

Vietnam veteran and motivational speaker to be recognized Laura Place CO N TRI B U T I NG WRI T E R‌

‌While much of the fanfare around the Central Coast AirFest celebrates talent on the aerobatics scene, the event also honors the country’s military history

and pilots who served in years past.

This year’s AirFest will feature not only amazing pilots and breathtaking aerobatics, but honored guest Capt.

Charles Plumb, a Vietnam War veteran, accomplished pilot and motivational speaker.

Now 66 years old, Plumb splits his time between his home in Westlake Village and traveling around the world to speak at various conferences and events.

If he has time in his busy schedule, he’ll also make it over to the Santa Ynez Airport a couple times a month, where he

stays in his airplane hangar.

“It’s every pilot’s dream to have a hangar, to roll out of bed into your cockpit,” Plumb said, laughing. “It’s kind of my man-cave up there.”

Plumb has a deep love for airplanes, especially those with a military history.

His hangar houses two small planes, a 1941 WWII plane called the PT 18 Fairchild and a Long EZ. Plumb spent 31 years in the Navy and on reserve, six of which were spent as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. His harrowing experience and its aftermath was

chronicled by author Glen DeWerff in the book “I’m No Hero,” and Plumb has traveled to all 50 states and 23 foreign countries to speak about this experience and overcoming adversity.

Plumb began flying in 1960 at the age of 17 when he received a scholarship to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, which he said was a huge opportunity for someone who grew up without much money and wanted a college education. For him, the chance to PLEASE SEE PLUMB, Page A22

PILOT ERIC TUCKER

refines his comedic aerobatics for this year’s AirFest Laura Place CO N T R I B U T I NG WRI T E R‌

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t this year’s Central Coast AirFest, pilot and performer Eric Tucker will be elevating the act he premiered for the first time in 2018. It involves a terrified flyer, an ambulance and a few scares for the audience, but it ultimately ends in laughter.

While a comedic act is somewhat unusual for an airshow, Tucker believes he has found his calling in the comedic aerobatic performance, in which he plays a confused flyer who takes off in a plane without knowing how to fly.

The audience hears back-and-forth banter between the announcer and Tucker as he feigns terror, the plane appearing to lose more and more control as he flies through the air.

“We do end up scaring some people a little bit, but everyone catches on at the end,” Tucker said, laughing.

At the end of his act, Tucker completes a feigned last-ditch landing on top of a renovated ambulance mid-drive,

driven by one of his close friends. This ambulance driver position in his show is coveted among many of his friends, he said. “[The act] is a counterpoint to all the serious stuff,” Tucker said. “It’s sort of lively, has more story line, a little more plot to it than just somebody showing off.”

Serious stuff, he explained, refers to the hardcore, rock-and-roll style flying where intensity and power reign supreme. In comparison, Tucker’s comedy performance is more humorous, and his two other acts involve graceful, dramatic drops and arches that celebrate the free spirit of old-school flying.

Tucker is a true romantic when it comes to airplanes. AirFest, he said, embodies the spirit of “the golden age of aviation” in the 20s and 30s when similar comedy acts were first taking place.

It’s also the period in which Tucker’s plane, a J3 Cub, was being built and used as a training plane.

PLEASE SEE TUCKER, Page A10

Frank Cowan, Contributor‌

Performer Eric Tucker lands his Pier J-3 Cub on a 1990 ambulance during a stunt at the Santa Maria Public Airport during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

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Tyson V. Rininger / www.tvrphotography.com‌

Eric Tucker with his family, and Piper J3 Cub, atop an ambulance during the 2018 airshow season at the Salinas Municipal Airport.

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“That was an age when flying was this really beautiful experience. Now people experience aviation filtered through the TSA, where they feel more like cattle moving through the system than it being a beautiful, inspiring adventure,” Tucker said. “To me that’s more what flying is all about, this beautiful adventure, where airplanes are these jewels …. These beautiful engineering feats.”

Tucker’s other two acts combine his flying chops, built up since he was young, with a focus on graceful and powerful aerobatics. One act is a dead stick aerobatics performance, in which he climbs a mile high in the air before turning off the engine completely, allowing the Cub to glide and roll through the air before

completing a graceful landing.

For his last act, he takes off from his car-top landing on the ambulance and finishes out with 30s-style adventurous flying.

Tucker grew up in an aviation family that fostered a passion for flying, mainly under the wing of his father, famed formation flyer Sean Tucker, who was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008.

Tucker would travel with his father to airshows when he was young, and after earning a degree in aerospace engineering from California Polytechnic University, went on to work at his father’s airshow program as a manager.

Since then, Tucker has begun flying around the world as a corporate pilot, doing shows such as AirFest on the side. He is also the father of two little boys, both of whom are obsessed with airplanes themselves, he said.

“I really cherished traveling

“We do end up scaring some people a little bit, but everyone catches on at the end.”—Eric Tucker around with my dad to all the airshows and all the aviation experiences that they created,” Tucker said. “Since my kids are super into flying and airplanes, especially the older one, all he wants to do is design airplanes, build airplanes, draw airplanes … I decided ‘alright, I’ll get back into airshows.’”

Tucker described his excitement about performing at AirFest again and being back on the Central Coast, where he spent much of his time in college.

“It is hands down one of the best events ever,” Tucker said of AirFest. “It’s a lovely community event kind of thing.”

Len Wood Staff‌

Eric Tucker floats his 1941 Piper J-3 Cub feet over the runway at the Santa Maria Airport in 2018 during rehearsal.

Tyson V. Rininger / www.tvrphotography.com‌

Eric Tucker in his Piper J3 Cub.

SIGHTS FROM 2018 CENTRAL COAST AIRFEST

Part of the huge crowd of spectators watch the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds perform during the inaugural 2018 Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Public Airport.

Photos by Frank Cowan

Spectators watch as a pilot performs during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

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Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds pilot Capt. Sarah Dallaire waves to the crowd before she takes off during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest at Santa Maria airport.

LEFT: Two members of the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds pass within yards of each other as they fly over Santa Maria airport during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Friday, October 11, 2019 |

LEFT: Performer Sammy Mason does a barrel roll during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

Senior Airman Kathryn R.C. Reaves‌

U.S. Air Force Maj. John Waters, F-16 Viper Demonstration Team pilot and commander, performs aerial maneuvers in his F-16CM Fighting Falcon during a capabilities demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., April 6, 2019. Waters performed for Team Shaw and local community members following a flight line 5K. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kathryn R.C. Reaves)

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The

FASTand

FURIOUS OF AVIATION Viper Demo to perform at AirFest with new pilot

Laura Place CO NT R I B UT I NG W R I T E R‌

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s a kid, Garret Schmitz was enchanted by an aerobatic performance by the U.S. Air Combat Command’s F16 Viper Demo in his hometown of Price, Utah. Years later, he ended up becoming not only an Air Force pilot, but a pilot with the same demonstration team he saw when he was young.

Schmitz now tours the country to perform with the Viper Demo in various air shows, including the Central Coast AirFest. His love for flying brought him from officer training to deployment to piloting an elite Air Force aircraft crew, and his desire to inspire others during the demo performances keeps him going.

“I get to go all over the country, get to interact with people all over the nation. I get to inspire them the way I

was inspired,” Schmitz said.

This will be Schmitz’s first year flying at Central Coast AirFest with the Viper Demo team, along with the demo crew of around 15 people who help with public relations, aircraft maintenance and safety observations. During these demonstrations, pilots display the prowess of the Vipers by completing rolls and dives similar to what is performed in actual combat, shooting up from 20 feet to 15,000 feet off the ground.

“It’s a combat demonstration. It shows the capabilities of low flying planes,” Schmitz said. “There’s a lot of power in those planes, a lot of Gs ….. I’m really biased, but I think our demo is one of the best in the air show industry.”

The F16 single-seat fighter aircraft flown by the team is still used by the Air Force as one of the top dog-fighting planes, known for its maneuverability and all-weather capacity. Technically, the official designation of the aircraft

is the Fighting Falcon, but it is more widely and affectionately known as the Viper, he added.

Schmitz studied aerospace engineering at the University of Arizona and completed a Reserve Officer Training Program before attending pilot training and pilot instructor training in Oklahoma and Texas, respectively. Following more training and accreditation at the Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma, he was assigned to a fighter squadron in Korea and then to the Middle East.

In February of this year, while deployed in the Middle East supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, an ISIS defense task force, Schmitz was offered the position of Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration pilot. He accepted, and immediately headed back to the United States and the Air Combat Command base in Shaw, S.C., where the demo team is based.

“To go from that and watching the fights from the air, and then a couple days later to be back in the U.S, it was a bit of a culture shock,” Schmitz said of returning from deployment.

In January, prior to Schmitz’s selection, Zoe Kutnik was selected for the Viper Demo pilot position, making her the first female pilot for the demo team, but was relieved of her duties after just two weeks.

The previous season’s pilot, John Waters, resumed command from Kutnik until Schmitz was selected. After accepting the position, Schmitz completed six weeks of training and a certification process, and has been traveling for air shows since then, wowing audiences all over the country.

Contributed‌

Garret Schmitz is a Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration pilot.

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Central Coast AirFest Food Vendors • Lidos

• Kona Ice of Santa Barbara

• The Chef’s Touch BBQ Rig

• G Brothers Smokehouse

• Point Break Pizza

• G Brothers Kettle Corn

• Crème De La Ice Cream

• California Hot Dog &

• Cool Hand Luke’s

Shaved Ice

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• Bubba’s Chicken & Waffles • Tacos Mex/Fruit Mex • The Hurricane Kitchen

• Kettle Masters Kettle Korn

• Vaqueras

• Bred Hot Chicken

LEFT: Teri Faulkner shows off a Lidos Philly cheesesteak sandwich.

Len Wood, Staff

Central Coast AirFest Information PERFORMERS Eric Tucker

You won’t be able to help but laugh with Eric Tucker & his J-3 Cub Comedy Act.

USAF F-16 Viper Demo Team USAF Heritage Flight with P-38 Lightning Tucker’s Air Patrol Rob Holland Bill Stein Vicky Benzing Ace Maker Sammy Mason Commemorative Air Force P-15 Demo Jason Somes Mig-17 John Collver “Wardog” VFA-151 Vigilantes F-18 Flight Red Bull Helicopter Demo Red Bull Air Force Jumpers Smoke n Thunder Jet Truck Pyro by Firewalkers International

STATIC DISPLAY

Featuring our military’s impressive defense aircraft along with many warbirds.

MCDONALDS KID ZONE

McDonalds brings to you a kid zone that is going to be a main feature of the airshow. From obstacle courses to mechanical activities, we are striving to leave a lasting impression in your kids heart!

EQUIPMENT SHOWCASE

Local agricultural manufacturers such as John Deere, Cat, and Kubota will showcase their latest equipment.

LOCAL BEER, WINE AND FOOD VENDORS

Enjoy a delicious meal with your cold brew. We have some of the best mobile eateries coming to us!

ADMISSION—SATURDAY & SUNDAY

General Admission (Ages 16-64) – $25 Senior and Military (65+, Active and Retired Military) Admission – $10 Youth Admission (5-15) – $5 Child Admission (0-4) – Free Group Admission (2 General, 2 Child OR 1 General, 3 Child) – $45

PARKING—SATURDAY & SUNDAY

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Parking – $10 For more information and to purchase tickets visit: http:// centralcoastairfest.com/

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Vicky Benzing performs a World War II cadet-style aerobatic show in a bright red 1940 Boeing Stearman.

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Photos contributed

Champion air racer VICKY BENZING

showcasing graceful power of 1940s Stearman at AirFest

Laura Place CO N T RI B U T I NG WRI T E R

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n the competitive world of air shows, promoters are frequently seeking out interesting aircraft to perform beyond the typical monoplane.

At this year’s Central Coast AirFest, viewers will witness pilot Vicky Benzing perform a World War II cadet-style aerobatic show in a bright red 1940 Boeing Stearman.

Benzing, originally from Watsonville, said this will be her first time

performing in the Central Coast AirFest.

The historical significance of the plane, as well as the poetic, dancing style of her performance, will make for a show unlike most others, she added.

“I do stunts similar to what the cadets would have done when they were learning aerial maneuvers, things like loops and rolls and hammerheads,” Benzing said. “I perform right [in] show center, right in front of the audience, down low, with lots of noise and smoke.”

Following their use as training and fighter planes in WWII, many Boeing Stearmans were reutilized for

agriculture purposes and recreational flying, according to Boeing’s website.

Like many other Stearmans, Benzing said her plane was used as a crop duster following the war, before it was disassembled and packed away in the 70s.

Years later, the plane was bought by a dentist before it was passed on to Benzing in 1998.

“It has a great history and a great story,” Benzing said. “I’m grateful to be the steward of such a magnificent plane for the time that I have it.”

Benzing’s love for flying began as a child in Watsonville when she flew with

her uncle in his plane. She discovered a passion for skydiving in college, and shortly after informed her parents she wanted to be a pilot. She then began learning to fly in a family friend’s 1940 Taylorcraft.

“It was love at first flight, let me tell you. It’s been a passion throughout my whole life,” Benzing said.

Aside from performing around the country in air shows like AirFest, Benzing is also a fearless air racer. In 2015 at the National Championship Air Races PLEASE SEE BENZING, Page A18

JET TRUCK RACE

PACIFIC PREMIER BANK®

PYROTECHNICS DISPLAYS

SPECIAL OLYMPICS PLANE PULL®

MCDONALD’S KID ZONE®

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LOCAL FOOD CRAFT BEER

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Vicky Benzing performs a World War II cadet-style aerobatic show in a bright red 1940 Boeing Stearman.

Benzing From A16

in Reno, Nevada, Benzing was named the fastest woman in the history of the races, flying at a speed of over 469 mph around 50 feet off the ground.

“It’s really cool to be able to earn the respect of the other racers. I do it because I enjoy the camaraderie and being part of such a historic event,” she said of the championship races.

After earning her PhD in chemistry, Benzing went on to work in high tech in different locations along the West

“One of the things I like to do at the air shows is to inspire young people who want to fly, and especially the young women. Maybe even more than just to fly, but to reach their goals.”—Vicky Benzing Coast, most recently in Silicon Valley. However, she knew she eventually wanted to quit working in the field so she could commit to flying full-time, which she did.

Pilot Vicky Benzing will perform at the 2019 Central Coast AirFest.

Benzing said her sponsor for the last three and a half years, the California Aeronautical University, makes it possible for her to pursue her dream of continuously traveling and flying in air shows. She frequently visits the university’s San Diego flight training center to interact with the students who are studying to become pilots themselves.

“It’s fun to be around the students and their enthusiasm for flying. It’s

something we share,” she said.

Benzing is encouraged by the fact that there are more female pilots than when she started flying, and hopes to continue to see that grow.

“One of the things I like to do at the air shows is to inspire young people who want to fly, and especially the young women,” she said. “Maybe even more than just to fly, but to reach their goals.”

History From A3

Frank Cowan Photos, Contributor‌

CHP Officer Robert Shannon watches as Ethan Noriega, 7, of Santa Maria, climbs out of a CHP aircraft during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

A parachutist brings in the American flag during opening ceremonies for the 2018 Central Coast AirFest at Santa Maria Airport.

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The Santa Maria Airport has its own history of airshows through the years.

At the inaugural Central Coast AirFest last October, approximately 15,00017,000 people attended the two-day event. In fact, the event received the International Council of Airshow (ICAS) Platinum award for the best, small civilian airshow. Not bad for this first effort!!

Obviously, airshows are very popular throughout the world. But the local Central Coast Airfest Committee has some very strong reasons for bringing an airshow to Santa Maria.

First is the fact that an airshow brings the community together, and is enjoyed by all ages and demographics.

The Central Coast Airfest will feature aircraft stretching back to World War II which will be on the ground for viewing, as well as aerial performances.

Headlining the event this year will be the Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team.

This airshow will also have food vendors, a beer garden, and a section for local non-profits, an airplane pull benefitting the Special Olympics, as well as two McDonald’s Kid’s Zone — truly a community event!

Secondly, an airshow is a great way to get young people interested in careers in aviation, both military and commercial. It is an opportunity to talk to aviation professionals, including pilots, mechanics and ground personnel, as well as our own local airport aviators and operators. With the critical shortage of commercial and military pilots today, an airshow is a great way to inform and excite young people about careers in that particular aviation field.

An airshow is also a great economic boost to the community over the two days of the event, plus the week prior to event when aircraft and air crews begin arriving. Last year, the Santa Maria Chamber of Commerce estimated a positive economic benefit to the Santa Maria community of approximately $435,000, which included hotel rooms, meals, rental cars, etc. — all of which are needed to make AirFest possible.

Finally, the Central Coast Airfest will show off the wonderful airport facilities located at the Santa Maria Airport.

It is a great way to introduce our airport to potential air carriers, as well as the general aviation public.

Given the scope, excitement and community support of the first annual Central Coast Airfest, we believe AirFest will become one of America’s great airshows, and a signature event on the Central Coast.

CENTRAL COAST AIRFEST 2019 GROUNDS LAYOUT VOLUNTEER PARKING

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VIP PARKING

ENTRANCE GATE

ENGLISH AIR SERVICE AIRFEST OFFICE

POLICE & FIRE

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USAF LAB

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TRAINERS HORNETS NEST RED BULL LANDING AREA

ELECTRONIC WARFARE SOUVENIRS NON-PROFIT/RETAIL

PARKING

ADA PARKING

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ENTRANCE

RADISSON HOTEL

GATE

VENDOR PARKING

TOYOTA

FOOD LANDING STRIP BAR RADIO CONTROL DEMO PRESS BOX SIMULATOR

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HONDA

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Len Wood, Staff‌

Participants try to move a 30,000-pound fighter jet in September that will be used for the first “plane pull” at the Central Coast AirFest at the Santa Maria Public Airport. The event will benefit the Special Olympics of Northern Santa Barbara County.

“It’s every pilot’s dream to have a hangar, to roll out of bed into your cockpit. It’s kind of my man-cave up there.”—Charles Plumb

Plumb

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become a pilot was incredible.

“As a kid I’d see planes fly over, but I never thought I’d get to be in one,” Plumb said. “It was only after going to Annapolis that I started flying airplanes and I got the bug. I never dreamed I’d be flying supersonic airplanes.”

After four years of Naval officer training, Plumb was assigned to the F4 Phantom Jet, and soon after was deployed to Vietnam. There, he flew 74 successful missions in the F4. On his 75th mission, days before he was set to return home, an air missile shot his jet out of the sky.

He and his co-pilot ejected from the plane, and they were captured and taken to a prison camp. Plumb was 24 when he entered the camp and would stay there until he was 30.

“One of the most important parts of survival was keeping the faith,” he said.

“Our leadership told us we were not victims, that we had to keep fighting to the dying breath. They said there would be no whining in the prison camp.”

While in the camp, Plumb spent two years as a chaplain, helping other prisoners and keeping their spirits up however he could. At last, in 1973, the United States established a peace treaty with

An F-4 Phantom flown by Capt. Charles Plumb.

Vietnam, leading to Operation Homecoming, allowing Plumb and 590 other U.S. prisoners to return home. Upon his return, he went back to flying Navy jets before retiring in 1991.

Plumb said the adversity he experienced, while unimaginable for many, also holds lessons that many people can relate to.

“There’s a lot of application when people learn we survived that experience. I talk about resilience and meeting the challenges of life,” Plumb said.

As one of the honored guests at AirFest, Plumb will be involved in the “plane pull,” in which a group of people attempts to pull a plane attached to a rope across the tarmac, as Plumb sits

in the cockpit and narrates. He said he loves the opportunity to see other people, especially kids, with a passion for planes at air shows.

“It gives me a thrill to see young people who are interested in aviation like I was when I was young. Even today I feel so blessed that I can fly these airplanes,” Plumb said.

SIGHTS FROM 2018 CENTRAL COAST AIRFEST Photos by Peter Klein

This DC-3 made for a majestic silhouette at the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

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LEFT: Mateo Velez of Santa Maria sits behind the controls of a gyroplane during the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

Lee Central Coast Newspapers | Friday, October 11, 2019 |

ABOVE: Nose art reminiscent of a bygone era at the 2018 Central Coast AirFest.

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“Join us on October 12 and 13 for the 2nd Annual AirFest in Santa Maria.”

Janet Silveria, President / CEO