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Steve
Oliver, Pilot. Steve Oliver began his flying career as a teenager and has logged more
than 13,000 flight hours in everything from helicopters to sailplanes to
biplanes. He holds commercial, instructor and ATP
ratings, plus Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic license. Steve has flown
mail, cargo and been a crop duster. He has been both a corporate
and a charter pilot and also spent many hours towing banners at
events across the country.
It was while towing banners that Steve
Oliver met Suzanne Asbury. They were married in 1982. Today, Steve
and Suzanne are America’s only husband and wife professional skywriting
and aerobatic duo.
The
Super Chipmunk - SkyDancer! Originally designed to serve as a trainer for the Royal Canadian Air
Force, the 1956 deHavilland Chipmunk has been specially modified for Air
Show aerobatics. Nearly 3,000 man-hours over a two year period were spent
on developing the SkyDancer into the finest example of a Super Chipmunk. It
now boasts a cruising speed of 150mph, and a range of more than 400 miles.
It will climb at a rate of 2,500 feet per minute. SkyDancer is equipped with camera mounts on both wings for
its Canon 35mm cameras, which are remotely activated from the cockpit.
The SkyDancer’s routine is tightly choreographed to music selected
not only for its suitability for aerobatic maneuvers, but for its ability
to add spirit and emotion to the performance. Visually, the white smoke
pouring from the exhaust compliments the aircraft’s patriotic graphics,
including the distinctive checkerboard treatment of its tail and under
wings.
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