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Veterans Flight - 2020 Pensacola Beach Air Show
World War II Stearman instructor Norman Cockman and pilot Roy Kinsey before the first Veterans Flight in November 2010.
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Dan Peterson’s TBM 700 C2 is the Newest Addition to the Veterans Flight Air Force
Countdown #10 – 19 June 2020
Only 21 days until Friday, 10 July’s first flights
More Great News – “Lima Bravo” 6-Ship Formation Flight
Veterans Flight has confirmed that Lima Bravo candidates Art Leach of Odell, Illinois and Ron Mason of Des Moines, Iowa are joining us for Veterans Flight 2020. Art and Ron will travel to Pensacola thanks to the generous offer of Dan Peterson, Principal Emeritus of ZS Associates in Evanston, Illinois to fly them to Pensacola in his magnificent TBM 700 C2 turboprop.
Art and Ron were both Navy pilots during World War II. Both have also left their 100th birthdays astern, so they will qualify for Lima Bravo recognition upon completion of their Veterans Flight. The air show’s program will not be published until 26 June, but we look forward to Lima Bravos Frank Emond, John Beard, Dick Pace and Cass Phillips being joined by Art and Ron in a six Stearman formation to open the air show immediately before the National Anthem.
Pearl Harbor Survivors Frank Emond, USN, and Bill Braddock, USMC, before Veterans Flight 2018.
Ron Mason made a skydive to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Art Leach interview: https://www.findingtheanswersjourney.com/blog/artleach-interview
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If you know World War II aviators, there is still time to email their contact information to veteransflight@cox.net so we can invite them to fly with us.
Veterans Flight 2019 - Pensacola Beach Air Show
Although Hurricane Barry’s strong winds and rain prevented many committed airplanes from coming to the Pensacola Beach Air Show, Veterans Flight 2019 was a great success. The six Stearmans that were able to make it to Pensacola were joined by Quin Ducharme’s AT-6, Dave Robinson’s SNJ and Tony Diez’s T-34. With nine airplanes working hard, we were able to fly every World War II veteran on the flight schedule as well as many of our sponsors. Most importantly, we flew everyone safely despite weather that was so challenging both Friday and Saturday that it kept the other civilian air show performers on the ground.
The 2020 Pensacola Beach Air Show will be Friday and Saturday, 10 and 11 July 2020. Put the dates on your calendars as 2020 will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Please join us as we honor the great Americans whose sacrifices gave us the wonderful country in which we are privileged to live. We owe these veterans a debt that can never be repaid.
Veterans Flight pilots John Laughter (515), Carey Hardin (470), Vic Syracuse (719) and Sam Hardin (469) over Pensacola Beach during Veterans Flight 2018
Veterans, pilots, family members, volunteers and supporters gather at Pensacola Aviation Center before the flights.
World War II veterans Jerry Yellin (Army Air Corps), Cass Phillips (Navy) and Jay Carraway (Navy) during Veterans Flight 2016.
Stearmans on the flight line waiting patiently
for the first flight of veterans.
Veterans Flight pilot Phil Webb (AAC #42) leads the Stearmans out for takeoff on runway 35 at Pensacola International Airport.