PORTSMOUTH—
Service Credit Union Boston-Portsmouth Air Show officials announced Tuesday, February 7, that two of the top civilian aerobatic performers in the world, Sean D. Tucker and Michael Goulian, have been confirmed for the lineup for the 2012 show. This year’s show will take to the skies at the Portsmouth International Airport at Pease June 30 and July 1, and will feature the United States Navy Blue Angels. The Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America and the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire are jointly producing the Service Credit Union Boston-Portsmouth Air Show.
Both Tucker and Goulian are two of the most highly sought-after civilian aerobatic performers on the air show tour and it is rare to have both of them performing at the same show. Even more rare is the fact that this is the third year in a row that the Service Credit Union Boston-Portsmouth Air Show has been able to secure both of these world-class performers for their lineup. Sean D. Tucker and Michael Goulian aren’t just two of the leading aerobatic pilots in the world; they are also great friends and larger than life characters that touch the hearts of fans and inspire millions of Americans.
Tucker is a member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame and is internationally known for his awe-inspiring aerobatic flying routine. He has received the highest awards in the industry, including induction into the International Council of Air Shows Hall of Fame, the Living Legend Aviation Award and many other awards and recognitions. Throughout nearly 40 years of Tucker’s air show experience, he has won numerous competitions and has flown more than 1,000 performances, in front of an excess of 80 million fans, and over 425 air shows.
“We are pumped to be coming back to New England to perform for the great fans there,” said Tucker. “[We] can’t wait to see all our friends in Portsmouth and get some of that great chowder!”
Tucker’s airplane, the Oracle Challenger III bi-plane, has continued to improve each year. Tucker started with a factory built Pitts Special 30 years ago and modified it each year. After reaching the limits of the Pitts, Tucker's team designed a one of a kind airplane that could do anything that he asked of it. This resulted in the highest-performance aerobatic aircraft in the world in its time, the Challenger II biplane. Tucker’s continuous demand to push the aircraft further resulted in the 2010 unveiling of the Oracle Challenger III, which is the currently the highest-performance aerobatic aircraft in the world. This fire-breathing monster packs more than 400 horsepower, weighs just over 1200 pounds and responds to the slightest pressure on the control stick—even at 300 mph. To endure the extreme physical demands of each routine, Tucker maintains a rigorous physical training schedule by working out more than 340 days per year in a routine of jogging and weight-lifting on alternating days.
Goulian, a native of Arlington, Massachusetts, has more than two decades of experience performing at air shows and races around the country. All the while earning a reputation as one of the world’s greatest civilian aerobatic performers. His state-of-the-art Whelen Extra 330SC helps Goulian awes crowds across the world by allowing him to maneuver at speeds of up to 260 miles per hour. His challenging rotations and tumbles across the sky accompanied by an upbeat soundtrack leave the crowds wanting more.
In December 2011, Goulian was awarded the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Sword of Excellence, a prestigious recognition awarded to an individual based upon contributions made to the air show industry. Goulian is only the seventh air show professional to be awarded all three of the air show industry’s top honors, having also received the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award and the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship.
“We really view this as a hometown show for us,” said Goulian. “I love flying this show because I grew up flying over much of this same area. We’re excited to see a lot of old friends at this year’s show.”
“We are so excited to have Sean D. Tucker and Michael Goulian returning to the show,” said Steve Wade, CEO of the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire. “These are two of the greatest civilian performers in the world, not to mention two of the crowd’s favorites,” said Michael Kaufman, CEO of the Daniel Webster Council, Boy Scouts of America. “We are very humbled to have them both returning to the show.”
“Service Credit Union is pleased to partner with the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire and the Daniel Webster Council of the Boy Scouts of America to bring these outstanding air performers to the Service Credit Union Boston-Portsmouth Air Show,” said Gordon Simmons, President/CEO of Service Credit Union. “We look forward to having our members and the military enjoy the 2012 show.”
More exciting details about other show performers, static displays and additional features will be announced soon. Tickets for the show are on sale now at www.BostonPortsmouthAirShow.com.
Photo Cutline: Michael Goulian in his Extra 330. (Courtesy Photo)
