CLEVELAND — The Cleveland National Air Show will put on a number of captivating high-speed jet demonstrations for thousands of on-lookers this Labor Day weekend. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Cleveland National Air Show will put on a number of captivating high-speed jet demonstrations for thousands of on-lookers this Labor Day weekend.

  • Among those flying is the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, one of the top civilian aerobatic teams in North America.

  • The team flies North American AT-6 Texans, the primary aircraft used to train U.S. Airmen during World War II.

  • Spectators can expect to see the team perform tight, awe-inspiring maneuvers and formations with exceptional precision.

Among those flying is the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, one of the top civilian aerobatic teams in North America.

One of its founders, Steve Gustafson, still flies with them today.

“I soloed a T6, that you see, when I was a junior in high school,” Gustafson said.

The team flies North American AT-6 Texans, the primary aircraft used to train U.S. Airmen during World War II.

Gustafson said it’s one of the most challenging planes to fly, but once a pilot masters it, they can fly just about anything.

“These airplanes are very unique,” he said. “They’re very well-built. They’re built to do what we’re doing in them, that’s what they were designed for, and they’re really a joy to fly.”

He said it’s an honor to showcase a piece of American history at the air show each year. 

“Every time you fly one as a pilot, you always have to be grateful for that and understand what these airplanes did,” Gustafson said. “They saved this country during the war.”

The team of four has always been close, but he said traveling across the country together has bonded them even tighter.

Slot pilot Jimmy Fordham is a retired senior captain for Delta Airlines. 

He said it’s a joy to continue his career seeing the country as a part of the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team.

“As close as we are, and do what we do, we’ve really been blessed to be able to do this,” Fordham said.

Spectators can expect to see the team perform tight, awe-inspiring maneuvers and formations with exceptional precision.

Gustafson encourages people to reflect during the show.

“Push things forward to make this country great, and be a part of it,” he said. “Because we all never should take it for granted. We’re very blessed to be here.”

That meaning is not lost on him.

“I never take it for granted, 33,000 hours of flight time now, and I’m still blown away,” he said.

The Aeroshell Aerobatic Team performs Saturday through Monday around 2 p.m. at the Cleveland Air Show at Burke Airport. 

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