Alabama Air Shows 2025

Skip Stewart is one of the most electrifying performers in the airshow world, known for his high-energy routines and custom-built aerobatic biplanes. Born in Decatur, Alabama, Stewart’s love for aviation began early, inspired by his grandfather, a crop-dusting pilot. After attending his first airshow at 14, he pursued a degree in Aerospace Administration from Middle Tennessee State University, earned commercial and instructor licenses, and later became a captain for FedEx Express. But it’s in the airshow arena where Skip has truly made his name, piloting a pair of radically modified Pitts S-2S biplanes named Prometheus and Prometheus 2. These “muscle biplanes” feature 400-horsepower engines, +12/-7 G tolerance, and custom everything—from wings to cowlings—built for maximum performance and showmanship.

Stewart’s performances are defined by their intensity and creativity, often beginning with a low knife-edge pass immediately after takeoff and escalating into gravity-defying maneuvers like inverted ribbon cuts, tail-first tumbles, and on-the-deck aerobatics. He has performed stunts such as flying under a jumping motorcycle, racing a jet truck, and finishing routines with smoking “donuts” spun on one wheel during landing. His thrilling style has earned him numerous accolades, including the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship and the Art Scholl Memorial Award. Despite the daring nature of his routines, Skip emphasizes safety and preparation above all, and he often collaborates with other performers in team acts like “TinStix of Dynamite” and “Mayhem.”

In 2025, Skip’s airshow tour includes top aviation events such as Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland, Florida, EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Wings Over South Texas, the Fort Wayne Air Show, and the North Alabama Airfest in September. His tour also features international stops in Central and South America earlier in the year. Skip Stewart has logged over 10,000 flight hours, and whether flying solo or as part of a group, his passion, precision, and extreme showmanship continue to captivate airshow audiences across the globe.

Nathan Hammond—pilot and operator of GhostWriter Airshows—commands a highly modified 1956 de Havilland Super Chipmunk originally built for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Through nearly 3,000 man‑hours of dedicated work, the aircraft has been transformed with upgraded wings, engine, and systems to produce around 350 hp, cruise at 150 mph, climb at 2,500 feet per minute, and reach a ceiling of roughly 17,500 feet. Prior to flying this beautiful machine, Nate logged over 7,000 flight hours across vintage and modern aircraft, earned a Commercial Pilot license and an Airframe & Powerplant Mechanics license, and developed his skywriting and aerobatic expertise with SkyDancer Airshows beginning in 1998.

GhostWriter’s show unfolds in three mesmerizing acts. The daytime performance kicks things off with a blazing 350 hp aerobatic display—smoke trails, tight loops, long vertical climbs, and rolls—demonstrating what this “trainer on steroids” can accomplish (ghostwriterairshows). During nighttime shows, the plane becomes a spectacle of light and color: outfitted with approximately 4,000 LED lights and over 200–250 pounds of pyrotechnics, GhostWriter weaves a choreographed aerial ballet against the dark sky. The colors and pyro sequence are fully customizable, whether to honor veterans in red, white, and blue, reflect local school colors, or match event themes.

In addition to his dual daytime and nighttime performances, Nathan specializes in skywriting—creating messages visible for miles in every direction. His plane can render letters up to two miles high and ten miles wide, making GhostWriter a powerful tool for skyborne advertising and sponsor visibility . A regular fixture at major U.S. airshows like the Fort Wayne Air Show and Wings Over Western Kentucky, this act delivers high‑octane aerobatics, dazzling night displays, and artistic messaging in the sky—all from one unforgettable aircraft.

Randy W. Ball is widely recognized as North America’s top civilian jet demonstration pilot, having flown well over 1,500 performances across the continent—more than any other jet demo pilot, civilian or military. He began flying airshows in 1982 and has over 40 years of flying experience, earning the distinction of being the only pilot in North America to hold both day and night unlimited aerobatic jet ratings from the FAA . During his career, he has piloted more than 44 aircraft types from nine countries, including Russian-built jets, and continues to balance his airshow career with flying as a regional airline captain.

Randy’s performance centerpiece is his meticulously restored MiG‑17F (often known by tail number 1611), which he dedicated nearly four years to restoring. Capable of pulling 8 g turns, climbing to 30,000 ft in under three minutes, and reaching speeds up to Mach 1, the MiG demonstrates the tight-turning fighter legacy of the Soviet era—and Randy uses it to deliver airshow performances that blend raw jet power and aerobatic precision. His demo routine is styled after tactical Viper performances, with vertical ascents, high-speed passes at just 100 ft above the ground, tight high‑g turns, and smoke-enhanced photo passes—often at speeds exceeding 500 knots (.9+ Mach).

Representing FighterJets Inc., Randy is also an accomplished airshow ambassador and aviation educator. A board member of the Historical Aviation Memorial Museum and former ICAS safety board member, he frequently engages with youth organizations like Civil Air Patrol cadets and Boy Scouts to inspire future pilots. He flies at major shows across North America—including night shows and multi‑aircraft formations aboard jets like the MiG‑17 and T‑33—with FighterJets Inc. also maintaining other vintage jet platforms such as the MiG‑17PF, T‑37, and others (fighterjets.com). Known for his strong social media presence and media features around the globe, Randy continues to bring jet aviation history to life with energy, expertise, and a deep connection to fans and the next generation of aviators.

Let me know if you’d like his 2025 appearance schedule, aircraft specs, video highlights, or details on booking and public interaction!

The Flagship Detroit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to the preservation, operation, and display of the historic Douglas DC‑3 “Flagship Detroit”, which is recognized as the oldest flying DC‑3 in the world. Delivered to American Airlines in March 1937, this plane carried passengers and mail across key U.S. routes—including flights that carried the First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt—until 1947. After decades of varied service, the aircraft was acquired by a group of American Airlines captains led by George Dennis, who restored it with extensive volunteer labor and began operating it under the foundation’s banner to honor early commercial aviation history.

Through airshow appearances and educational outreach, the foundation aims to educate both younger and older generations about the pivotal role of the DC‑3 in making passenger air travel viable. Their mission is to celebrate the designers, engineers, flight crews, and airline professionals who contributed to making air travel the safe, reliable mode of transport it is today. With decades of volunteer-driven restoration, the foundation operates the aircraft as a flying tribute while appearing at aviation events across the United States.

Membership and financial support are key to sustaining the foundation’s operations. Annual memberships start at $100, while lifetime memberships are available at $1,000. Members may be eligible for local nostalgia flights aboard the DC‑3 (weather and events permitting), and the Foundation welcomes tax-deductible donations of cash, parts, or supplies. While the organization is based in Shelbyville, Tennessee, the plane bears the name “Detroit” in honor of its heritage and original American Airlines registration

Tom “Lark” Larkin created Mini Jet Airshows to fulfill a lifelong ambition—to perform solo aerobatics in a “mini” jet. Inspired as a child by seeing the legendary BD‑5J in flight, Larkin pursued aviation through a career spanning F‑15 and T‑38 instructor roles in the U.S. Air Force, followed by airline captain duties. With over 9,000 hours in more than 55 aircraft types—approximately 8,000 of those in jets—he later transitioned his focus entirely to the experimental SubSonex JSX003 jet, realizing his dream of flying a diminutive yet powerful jet on the airshow circuit.

At the heart of the show is JSX003, a fully aerobatic kit-built jet with a dry weight under 500 lb and speeds up to 300 mph. Powered by a Czech-built PBS TJ-100 turbine producing 258 lbf of thrust while burning roughly 45 gph of jet fuel, the jet is wrapped in vinyl (no paint) and equipped with a custom smoke-oil system that releases about 7 gallons per show—creating dramatic vapor trails from takeoff through the routine.

Larkin performs routines drawn from his fighter instructor training, featuring high energy aerobatics in a compact aerial footprint. His SubSonex enables unique maneuvers previously unseen in modern airshows—tight turns, rapid vertical climbs, snap rolls, and photo-pass smoke sequences that stand out against bigger aircraft acts. Mini Jet Airshows delivers one of the most distinctive solo jet experiences on tour, capturing attention through sheer scale and skill packed into a pint-sized performer

The Northern Stars Aeroteam is a three-plane formation aerobatic team founded by Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) veterans. Fully accredited by Transport Canada and the FAA, the team pilots classic Pitts Special S-2 aircraft in tight, high-energy formations accented by smoke trails and crisp freestyle elements. Shows typically begin with a dramatic opposing pass followed by Brent Handy’s solo aerobatics at surface level, before Todd Farrell and Greg Hume‑Powell join for tightly choreographed loops, rolls, and formation flying reminiscent of elite military teams.

Team lead Brent Handy is a former CF‑18 fighter pilot and Snowbirds solo performer who now serves as lead when not flying with the Snowbirds for the 2024–2025 seasons. Todd Farrell, originally a Hawk instructor and C‑17 pilot, overcame cancer to return to high-performance flying and serves as right wing, flying now as an airline training captain. Greg Hume‑Powell, interim team lead and left wing, is a multi-role RCAF veteran and former Snowbirds solo pilot who now flies Boeing 787s for Air Canada.

With performances across Canada and the U.S.—including Barrie, Summerside, Cleveland, and Huntsville in their 2025 schedule—the Northern Stars bring a blend of precision, passion, and storytelling to the airshow circuit. Their aerobatic routines leverage the Pitts aircraft’s tight turning radius to deliver continuous action, often enhanced by onboard interplane radio chatter for added audience engagement. Whether for airshow fans or sponsors, their unique combination of veteran pedigree and spirited flying makes each show a standout experience.

John Scherff is a seasoned FAA ATP-rated demonstration pilot known for his solo aerobatic performances in the North American T‑28 Trojan, expertly flown to a minimum altitude of 500 feet under his waiver authority. With a focus on high-energy excitement, Scherff delivers aerobatic routines packed with smooth loops, barrel rolls, and dramatic “circle the jumper” maneuvers—showcasing the rugged performance of this vintage military trainer aircraft.

His T‑28 routines emphasize the plane’s power and maneuverability through seamless vertical climbs, tight-turning sequences all the while enveloped in a smoke plume to accentuate every twist and turn. These high-octane movements recall classic military demonstration precision, yet are executed entirely solo, giving each display Scherff’s personal signature through timing, flair, and flight discipline.

John Scherff regularly appears at major North American airshows—such as the North Alabama Airfest and Red, White & Blue Airshow—where he’s featured under billing like “John Scherff T‑28” among other high-profile acts. His performance appeals to fans of warbird aviation and solo aerobatics alike, blending historical aircraft heritage with modern showmanship to deliver a memorable aerial experience.