OSHKOSH - Every year, EAA Airventure brings a variety of aircraft booths, demonstrations and performances to Oshkosh.
The GEICO Skytypers is just one of the air shows that flies with a team of six WWII-era SNJ-2's in a low level, precision-flying demonstration highlighting many tactics taught to aviators from "The Greatest Generation" through current up-and-coming pilots.
This year is the second appearance for the world famous team. Our Emily Beier got the chance to see what it's like as a Skytyper at EAA.
"Every time is a little different," said Jim Record.
Record is the 7th Pilot with the GEICO Skytypers and a United States Navy Veteran. He has flown with the crew since 1992 and is one of the original Air Show Team Pilots.
Skytyping is different than skywriting.
"Like a dot matrix printer, we just put out dots and it's like a text message...our claim to fame is the longest text message in the world." said Record.
Record says that anyone who would have served in WWII and flew would have been trained in one of these planes.
"Most of our team have been military pilots, some of our fathers served in WWII and some of our older brothers and relations were in Vietnam so people in the military have a connection." said Record
These planes have been upgraded with satellite radios, satellite navigation as well as other modern conveniences.
Record says there are dozens of these SNJ's in museums, but the GEICO Skytypers hope to keep them in the air to inspire the younger generation to learn more about aviation.
The GEICO Skytypers have a air show performance this Saturday July 30th at 3:30p.m.
