Aerobatics Show Over Excelsior with Mike Wiskus
Posted by Steve Frazier
on May 01, 2012
Our May Day program was a presentation by Mike Wiskus, who will present the aerobatic show over the lake as part of the 4th of July Program this year.
Mike is a professional pilot who is based out of the Buffalo MN airport, and has a “day job” as a corporate pilot. But from his presentation, it’s clear that his heart is in aerobatic flying and doing air shows. He will be a part of the evening presentations on the 4th of July, doing stunt flying over the lake to entertain the crowd before the orchestra and the fireworks. He has a bright red biplane, and he has his program all planned and approved by the FAA; the remaining approvals have to come from the sheriff and the LMCD.
He told a bit of his life story, starting with his early years at the family farm next door to the Mason City, Iowa, airport, and his job as a line boy there starting at age 13. He soloed at age 17, and by then had a large group of mentors who cheered him on and helped him learn the aviation trade. Mike talked of his ability to walk onto the field and look at and touch the airplanes – something that kids can’t easily do now with the tightened airport security. He encouraged all of us to help kids get familiar with aircraft; there are too few young people interested, and in the future, we may find ourselves with a shortage of pilots.
He does 20 air shows a year, with up to 6 performances at each one. He has a number of sponsors, with Lucas Oil as the main one. There is something especially thrilling about an air show, and a show of hands showed that almost all of our members have been to at least one air show. The 4th of July show should really liven up the evening for sure!
(Story by Tad Shaw and photo by Steve Frazier)
Mike is a professional pilot who is based out of the Buffalo MN airport, and has a “day job” as a corporate pilot. But from his presentation, it’s clear that his heart is in aerobatic flying and doing air shows. He will be a part of the evening presentations on the 4th of July, doing stunt flying over the lake to entertain the crowd before the orchestra and the fireworks. He has a bright red biplane, and he has his program all planned and approved by the FAA; the remaining approvals have to come from the sheriff and the LMCD.
He told a bit of his life story, starting with his early years at the family farm next door to the Mason City, Iowa, airport, and his job as a line boy there starting at age 13. He soloed at age 17, and by then had a large group of mentors who cheered him on and helped him learn the aviation trade. Mike talked of his ability to walk onto the field and look at and touch the airplanes – something that kids can’t easily do now with the tightened airport security. He encouraged all of us to help kids get familiar with aircraft; there are too few young people interested, and in the future, we may find ourselves with a shortage of pilots.
He does 20 air shows a year, with up to 6 performances at each one. He has a number of sponsors, with Lucas Oil as the main one. There is something especially thrilling about an air show, and a show of hands showed that almost all of our members have been to at least one air show. The 4th of July show should really liven up the evening for sure!
(Story by Tad Shaw and photo by Steve Frazier)