August 31, 2010 – The California Capital Airshow (CCA) (www.californiacapitalairshow.com) today announced that it will host every flying Lockheed P-38 Lightning remaining in the United States, as well as the pilots and ground crew who flew and cared for these rare aircraft on September 11 and 12, 2010. Drawing the attention and attendance of WWII veterans and their families from all over the United States and of photographers from seven countries, this is truly a historic event.

“The CCA is truly honored and humbled to be hosting such a remarkable event in partnership with Lockheed Martin (www.lockheedmartin.com), the Reno National Championship Air Races (www.airrace.org), the P-38 National Association (www.p38assn.org) and the 475th Fighter Group Historical Foundation,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director of the California Capital Airshow. “We have set out to create an outstanding occasion to showcase the airplane and pay tribute to the designers, manufacturers, maintainers, and the brave aviators who trusted their lives to the ‘Forked-Tailed Devil’.”

There has not been such a gathering of Lightnings in over 60 years, and because of the high operating costs of the aircraft, coupled with the dwindling numbers of men and women originally associated with the P-38, it is very likely that such an event will not happen again.

P-38 pilots, F-35 Lightning II pilots, the Fork-Tail Devil’s organization and up-close and personal access to the P-38s, including ‘Glacier Girl’, ‘23 Skidoo’, ‘Thoughts of Midnight’, ‘Tangerine’, ‘Ruff Stuff’, and Allied Fighters No. 981. Additionally, representatives and displays from Lockheed Martin, the company that designed and built the revolutionary P-38, will also be in attendance and available at the P-38 National Association pavilion.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the attention it will generate will help provide the means to continue to tell the story of this unique aircraft, while reinforcing its significance as one of the most innovative and important designs in the history of manned flight.

“Each one of these airplanes, and the men associated with them, has a story to tell, and our venture will provide the opportunity for those tales of valor, sacrifice, and heroism to be shared with young and old alike, to make their honor and courage tangible to this generation and those to come. As you well know, sadly, the numbers of these honorable men and women are dwindling at an alarming rate. With over 300 P-38 veterans from WWII planning on attending, this event will ensure that their memory will never be forgotten,” added Brewer.

To sponsor or provide financial support to help defray the costs associated with this opportunity, please contact CCA headquarters at (916) 876-7568.

The Airshow website will be updated regularly with news, attraction information and more. Community members and attendees can also follow the Airshow on Facebook and Twitter (#calcapairshow).
High resolution photos are available online at http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/event-features/photo-gallery. To request press credentials for the event go to http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/about-cca/media-access#credentials.

About California Capital Airshow
Established in 2004, the California Capital Airshow has become one of the largest and highly- respected shows in the nation. As part of its community relations, the non-profit organization has awarded over 70 scholarships to deserving students from our region with an interest in aviation, aerospace, aeronautics and related fields. For more information about the California Capital Airshow, please visit www.californiacapitalairshow.com.
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Yep, that’s right. The Goulian Aerosports Team is literally gearing up for the 2010 edition of the CCA! In fact, after we finish our last performance at the Boston – New England Air Show in the great state of New Hampshire, we’ll be shipping almost 500 pounds of “gear” to Sacramento for the BIG EVENT at Mather Airport.

The equipment we’re shipping contains everything we need to “rock the house” this coming September 11 & 12. The most important equipment being shipped to Sacramento is our music system. Our air show is synchronized to some pretty awesome music, which punctuates the hard-core aerobatics we’ll be flying during our performance.

When we’re flying, don’t look away or you might miss an amazing end over end tumble. If you take a lengthy sip of your drink, you’ll probably miss one of our crazy rolling maneuvers near the ground. It’s all pretty cool and very cutting edge.

Our team is honored to be flying at this incredible event with so many amazing civilian and military performers. There are not many shows where you will see the F-22 Raptor, B-2 Stealth Bomber, and P-38s, all at the same show.

This will be a weekend air show not to be missed. Let’s get to know each other prior to my visit. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Or, just cruise on over to www.mikegoulian.com and take a look.

See you there. We can’t wait!!!

Mike Da Mustang videos will also be playing and if you’re not familiar with this action-packed, humorous and heartfelt look at the world of performance aviation and the characters that populate it – you have to check it out!

Aimed at a young audience, the series follows the dysfunctional family of Mike, a legendary P-51 Mustang, and his fellow inhabitants of a remote and enchanting airport. Mike, Buzz, Axel, Angel, Max and a host of other non-human characters give the viewer an insider view of life in the clouds the lessons learned, the bonds formed, and the challenges faced. Never talking down to the viewer and always looking up, Mike and his crew are the kind of friends you wish you had, having adventures you’re invited to join in on… teaching children the important lessons of life. You can check out the first episode here: http://www.asb.tv/videos/view.php?v=a888c11q

Your child loves to paint? Well, you’re in luck because the California Highway Patrol and RC Country Hobby are donating wood airplanes that kids of all ages can paint.

Everything in the Kids Zone is fun, educational and interactive, so grab your kids, head to the Airshow and become a kid again as you watch aircraft soar overhead, play in the belly of a cargo plane or blow bubbles at the Kids Zone! What makes you feel like a kid again?

The California Capital Airshow (www.californiacapitalairshow.com) is inviting the general public to attend its Saturday night performers gala. Dubbed, “Sky’s the Limit!” this year’s exclusive event is open to the public and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network. Guests can dine with their favorite pilot and spend an evening of fun with all of the Airshow performers surrounded by everything that flies – beautiful kites, hot air balloons, vintage aircraft and gorgeous cars! A limited number of tickets are available and are currently on sale for $60 per person.

Gala attendees will enjoy an evening of wine and beer, delicious food and live music. Numerous aircraft will be displayed, and guests can mingle with Airshow performers including the lead pilots from the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, the U.S. Navy F/A-18C HORNET Tactical Demonstration Team, Michael Goulian (www.mikegoulian.com), John Klatt (www.johnklattairshows.com), Kent Pietsch (www.pietschaircraft.com/airshows), Melissa Pemberton (www.sportsgal.com) and many more.

Gala tickets are available for a limited time on a first-come, first-serve basis at http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/event-information/purchase-tickets.

Event details are as follows:

Date: Saturday, September 11, 2010
Time: 6:00 – 10:00pm
Location: Mather Aviation Hangar
10360 Macready Avenue
Mather Airport

The California Capital Airshow web site will be updated regularly with news, attraction information and more. Community members and attendees can also follow the Airshow on Facebook and Twitter (#calcapairshow).
High resolution photos are available online at http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/event-features/photo-gallery. To request press credentials for the event go to http://www.californiacapitalairshow.com/about-cca/media-access#credentials.

About California Capital Airshow
Established in 2004, the California Capital Airshow has become one of the largest and highly- respected shows in the nation. As part of its community relations, the non-profit organization has awarded over 70 scholarships to deserving students from our region with an interest in aviation, aerospace, aeronautics and related fields. For more information about the California Capital Airshow, please visit www.californiacapitalairshow.com.

I have seen this quote attributed to several different, notable personalities in the annals of times gone by, and no matter where it comes from or from whose lips it passed, it’s pure, unmitigated truth. It was as valid back then as it is now.

As you walk around the California Capital Airshow this year, you might notice a few things perhaps out of the ordinary. You might see a young lady sporting a baseball hat and sunglasses with long dark hair and an infectious smile. You might also notice the fact that she does everything with her feet, as she was born without arms. Be sure to tell her hello and take a moment to listen to what she has to say, as you might learn something — either about flying or about yourself and your perception of what the world has taught you about limitations. Her name is Jessica Cox, and she’s an FAA-certified sport pilot.

Yes, I did say pilot. I also said FAA-certified. She flies a 1961 Aircoupe F-1A, and what allows her to do so is the fact that the rudders on the aircraft are manipulated by the control wheel instead of traditional rudder pedals; which brings us back to the “does everything with her feet” part. Jessica’s story personifies the dedication, innovation, and pioneering spirit that women have brought to the aviation industry, and she is truly an inspiration to all of us who fly.

As you continue to journey across the ramp and start checking out static displays, you might also notice a lot of women in flight suits. Congress removed the ban on women in combat aircraft in December 1991 with the passage of Public Law 102-190, but the Department of Defense policy still prohibited women from taking combat aircraft assignments. However, on April 28, 1993 the policy ban was lifted by then-Secretary of Defense Les Aspin opening the gates of opportunity to female jet pilots.

Seeing a woman in a flight suit with a set of wings on her chest flying combat missions has certainly ruffled a few feathers, but these brave warriors offer no apology–nor should they. They’re just as vibrant, confident, capable, aggressive, and….lethal….as their male counterparts. If they weren’t, they wouldn’t be where they are. The armed services have not relaxed the standards in pilot training to accommodate women. You either make the grade, or you don’t. You either fly the airplane and employ it, or you don’t. Simple as that.

It’s important to remember something – the airplanes they fly and the ordnance at their disposal doesn’t care about the physiological differences between men and women. An aircraft responds to control inputs made by the person flying it, and weapon systems do what they are designed to do at the request of the person in charge of them. Aircraft are colorblind, could care less about your religion or what you had for dinner – none of that matters.

Another woman that will be present at the show is LT Meagan “Vargas” Flannigan. The diehard enthusiasts among us might recognize her as “Meagan” from the documentary film “Speed and Angels.” She was the last female to be qualified to fly the F-14 Tomcat before the aircraft was retired from service a few years ago. More recently, she is an instructor pilot at NAS Oceana, Virginia, and teaches students how to fly and fight with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. Not too shabby for a girl, wouldn’t you say?

From 1942 to 1944, more than 1,000 women were trained to ferry aircraft, test planes, instruct male pilots, and tow targets for anti-aircraft artillery practice. The women came from all socioeconomic backgrounds: teachers, nurses, secretaries, factory workers, waitresses, students, housewives, debutantes, and actresses. They were, and still are, known as Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) and the California Capital Airshow is fortunate enough to have several of them in attendance.

Often shunned by their male counterparts, they were pioneers, fearless and committed. The WASP program was the brainchild of Jacqueline Cochran, a successful businesswoman and legendary aviator, and General Hap Arnold, Chief of the Army Air Forces. More than 25,000 women applied for the program, and to qualify each applicant needed 200 hours of certified flight time (later reduced to 35 hours). 1,830 women were accepted and received pilot training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas. Thirty-eight women were killed in the line of duty.

The WASPs earned an amazing place in our history and opened the doors for women such as LT Megan “Vargas” Flannigan and so many others. If you have time to learn more about these remarkable women, I encourage you to do so.

These are just a few of the women that will be representing and celebrating the Centennial of Women in Aviation at this year’s California Capital Airshow, and we encourage you to talk to them, to listen to their personal stories, and to be inspired by what they’ve had to overcome to reach the pinnacle of their careers.

Buy your ticket today and stop by the Performers Autograph tent and… Ask for a photo. Ask for an autograph. Ask questions. You’ll remember each of them. And, history will too…

SACRAMENTO – In honor of California’s Aviation History and the Fifth Annual California Capitol Airshow, Assemblymember Alyson Huber is holding an essay contest and invites all elementary, middle and high school students to enter their original essays. Three winners will receive tickets to this year’s California Capital Airshow for their entire classroom and will be honored on stage at the airshow by Assemblymember Alyson Huber.

“Every year thousands of families enjoy the California Capitol Airshow in my district and I know so many children leave inspired by what they saw,” said Assemblymember Huber. “We are using a thrilling community event as a learning opportunity for our students. This essay contest gives students the chance to explore California’s rich aviation history and why it is important to them and their family.”

Students will compete in one of three categories – elementary, middle school or high school. Each participant must submit an original essay on the topic: “How California’s Aviation History Inspires Me.” Entrants can consider pilots, the role of air force bases in the state, planes, aerospace or any other relevant aviation topic. All essays must be submitted by 5 p.m. on September 1, 2010.

Before submitting your essay, please adhere to the Contest Rules below. Entries can be e-mailed (preferred) faxed, or mailed to:
Assemblymember.Huber@asm.ca.gov
Fax: (916) 464-1915
Assemblymember Alyson Huber
Re: Essay Contest
2729 Prospect Park Drive, Ste 130
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

For more information call (916) 464-1910 or visit www.asm.ca.gov/huber.

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“How California’s Aviation History Inspires Me.”
Essay Contest Rules

ELIGIBILITY
• Entrants must be elementary, middle or high school age.
• All submissions should be original writing.
• Essays must be received by 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2010.

SPECIFICATIONS
• Entries can be hand-written or typed.
• Word Limits:
Elementary School Students: 400 words or less
Middle School Students: 600 words or less
High School Students: 800 words or less

JUDGING
• One winner will be selected from each entry level.
• A committee of judges will review all entries submitted by the deadline.

AWARDS
• Winners will be notified on September 8th.
• Each winner will receive a ticket for each student in their classroom or history/social sciences class to attend one day of the California Capitol Air Show (September 11-12th). Accompanying adult tickets not provided.
• The winner will be presented with a special recognition at the airshow on September 11th.

Please provide the following information with your entry (should not be included in the word count.)

AVIATION HISTORY ESSAY CONTEST
Student Name: _______________________________________________
School: ______________________________________________________
Grade level: __________________________________________________
Phone and/or email: __________________________________________
Title of Essay: ____________________________________
Deadline: All essays must be submitted by 5 p.m. on September 1, 2010.

What

Bigger, faster, louder and more colorful than ever before, the California Capital Airshow roars into town September 11-12, 2010. The 2010 California Capital Airshow is almost here — and we need volunteers to be a part of it and ensure a fun and safe environment for all. Get the “inside scoop” for the 2010 Airshow, meet the team leaders and be a part of one of the largest and most exciting events in the Sacramento region!

When

Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30pm

Where

Rancho Cordova City Hall
2729 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
http://www.cityofranchocordova.org/Index.aspx?page=25

Who

Established in 2004, the California Capital Airshow has become one of the largest and highly- respected shows in the nation. As part of its community relations, the non-profit organization has awarded more than 65 scholarships to deserving students from our region with an interest in aviation, aerospace, aeronautics and related fields. For more information about the California Capital Airshow, please visit www.californiacapitalairshow.com.

The California Capital Airshow web site will be updated regularly with news, attraction information and more. Community members and attendees can also follow the Airshow on Facebook and Twitter (#calcapairshow).

To request press credentials for the event email prdirector@californiacapitalairshow.com.

The 2010 California Capital Airshow is here — and you can be part of it.  Begin, or renew, your memorable Airshow volunteer experience by coming to the Volunteer Open House.  Here are the details:

Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m.
Rancho Cordova City Hall
2729 Prospect Park Drive
Rancho Cordova

Come and get the “inside scoop” for the 2010 Airshow, meet the team leaders and be a part of something special, something really exciting!

Can’t make it?  Fill out the Volunteer Form to sign-up!

See you July 28!

Like me you’re probably wondering how she became the executive director of the Airshow. Darcy fell in love with aviation at the age of 17. One day as she and some friends were crossing the border from Mexico in a shiny, comfortable King Air 200, her flying mentor, long noticing her never-ending grin from the right seat, turned and said, “You should go tomorrow and get your pilot’s license.”  He said it as if one could simply drop by your favorite convenience store and pick one up.  Darcy quickly realized that it wasn’t quite that easy; however, that was Darcy’s ‘Ah Ha!’ moment and the beginning of her lifelong adventure in aviation.

So Darcy trotted down to her local flight training center the next day and that’s when the adventure began. It turns out that a pilot’s license is not so easily earned and primary training took place in aircraft far different than the beautiful King Air where she had spent so much time. She started her training in a yellow 1964 Piper Cherokee 140 — with a hand brake, but it didn’t take long for her to quickly jump in to whatever aircraft was available and safe to fly. She didn’t care what she flew or where, all aircraft and all destinations were fabulous. She flew for the adventure, the new people to meet and the stories to share.

As a busy special events manager in Los Angeles for almost two decades, flying became her therapy; her escape from a hectic, high-pressure career. Darcy commented often on how clean and quiet the world looks from 3,500 feet. When her parents retired from the Bay area and moved to the foothills of Northern California, she couldn’t wait to follow and find simple, more peaceful days. Below the snow and above the fog, she eventually found a small airport where a large group of warm, wonderful, aviators (spanning four generations) would hangar fly, organize fly-outs, and enjoy pancakes together mid-field every week. Saturday’s are spent judging whose warbird is shinier and how many bi-planes can fill the parking area in front of Wings restaurant at one time. Darcy was pleased; she was no longer sitting on the 405 freeway in LA and was the proud owner of her first airplane. Living and flying here was a dream come true, but of course sitting still isn’t in Darcy’s nature and so the next adventure began…

The opportunity to interview for the position of Executive Director for the California Capital Airshow “came out of nowhere” as Darcy commonly puts it. She was nominated for the position and won.  She hit the ground running and hasn’t looked back since!

As we all know, the Airshow is a huge event and Darcy is quick to point out that she can’t and doesn’t do it alone.  She has a working Board of Directors supporting her every step of the way and an army of volunteers (over 1,000) that Darcy adores and thinks of as family.  When talking to Darcy about the planning of the show, she makes it sound simple, as if she is just having 100,000 friends over for lunch…but we all know better.

The California Capital Airshow is the exact opportunity that Darcy’s been seeking to help spread the word and share the excitement of aviation on a grand scale. She doesn’t expect everyone to ‘drink the ‘kool aid’; she just wants them to look up in awe or maybe take a moment to stop and shake the hand of one of our troops. Even though the Airshow takes every day of a full year to plan, you can still find her sneaking away every once in a while to some remote airstrip in a 1939 Piper Cub to sit under a tree and read the latest flying adventure novel.

What inspires you?  We’d love to hear your stories of inspiration.

The sheer power, acceleration, and thrust-vectoring capabilities of the Raptor are truly mind-boggling. It defies the laws of physics.  Most people have never had the honor to see the world’s only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft, thus the Raptor’s airshow routine leaves a lasting first impression that most people never forget. The demonstration truly highlights the maneuverability and air dominance of this new fighter engineered by the aviation experts of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Pratt & Whitney and the US Air Force.  Its stealth, speed, agility, precision and situational awareness make it overwhelmingly effective in its combined air-to-air and air-to-ground mission capability.  Once you see and experience this amazing fighter jet, it will solidify the fact that the United States has truly created a new generation of aircraft.

But don’t worry; the show certainly doesn’t stop there.  We will have something for everyone and every age – from colorful entertainment and aerobatics soaring overhead to live bands and a Kids Zone with interactive, educational exhibits – it’s shaping up to be the best show yet.

A friend recently commented to me that at least once a year, everyone needs to do something or see something that takes your breath away. I would agree and can’t wait until September to do just that.  Will we see you at the Airshow?  What part of the show takes your breath away?