Bob began flying in 1979 at the age of 19. He has since logged over 2000 hours in a wide variety of aircraft and holds a commercial pilot certificate. Bob has flown hang gliders, airplanes and sailplanes from hundreds of sites in the US, Canada and Mexico. He has flown airshows professionally since 1993. He hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico and is a member of SSA and ICAS.

When he is not performing at airshows, Bob is a rocket scientist for a major national laboratory.

There's nothing else like it in the world! With its exclusive retractable twin jet engine pylon, the Alisport Silent-J jet sailplane self-launches and performs both a classic sailplane aerial ballet and screamin' low-level jet aerobatics.  

THE ALISPORT Silent-J JET SAILPLANE

Powered by twin AMT-USA AT-450 engines, the highly modified Alisport Silent-J is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered airshow performance. Utilizing the exclusive retractable engine pylon, the Silent-J climbs to altitude without a tow plane. The performance begins with a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics, choreographed to classical music, and featuring the world-famous Silent Wings smoke. When the original altitude is spent, most sailplanes must land. But not this sailplane! By simply adding power from the twin jet pylon, the graceful sailplane is quickly transformed into a true low-level aerobatics machine. Accompanied by an ever-quickening musical score, the Silent-J cavorts at ground level with loops, rolls hammerheads and spins. Beauty has become the Beast!  

Images and information courtesy of Bob Carlton  http://www.silentwingsairshows.com

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BUD GRANLEY & ROSS GRANLEY

Flying has been a part of Bud's life since he was 9 years old.  He and his brothers were outside playing, when they saw a Tiger Moth biplane glide to a landing on their uncle's farm. They ran to see the airplane, and were amazed to find that the pilot was their father. He had secretly earned his pilot's license.  Bud and his two brothers were hooked on aviation after that. Their father made a career of flying, and saw his three children begin their lives in aviation. Bob went into crop spraying; Bill into corporate where he won the esteemed Canadian McKee trophy in 1990. Bud Granley with his Harvard T-6 Bud joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1956 after earning his wings with a Royal Canadian Air Cadet scholarship.  He was awarded honor scrolls at both basic, and advanced flying schools.  He flew the F-86 Sabre in Baden-Baden, Germany, and was a member of the Canadian gunnery team which won the NATO competition for the third straight year.   Bud then instructed on the T-6 Harvard at Red Deer Alberta. He was selected to be the base solo demonstration pilot on the Harvard, thus starting his career as an airshow pilot. A civilian who had purchased a World War 11 surplus P-40 for $150 asked Bud to fly his plane at local airshows. This was Bud's introduction to WW2 type aircraft, which he still flies. Bud became an A-1 instructor, and served in Standards flight and as base instrument check pilot.   Bud lives in Bellevue Washington.  He flew for United Airlines until retiring in 1997. He has six children; three of them served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Two flew with the Snowbird aerobatic team, and are now airline pilots, Ross with United, and Chris, Air Canada. Deb flies the 737 for Alaska Airlines. Bob chose the Navy, and is now a Captain with Royal Caribbean. He also flies the planes to airshows when not sailing.   The T-6/Harvard, Yak-55, and Fouga Magister are the usual airshow planes, but you will see Bud in a classic warbird like the Wildcat, Skyraider, or P-51. The favorite challenge for him is the formation act with his son, Ross, who flies the Yak-18T. The response has been amazing. Bud will be racing around the pylons at the Reno air races in a T-6 named Lickety Split. He started his racing avocation racing the Miss America P-51 for several years.   Bud was awarded the Art Scholl Showmanship award by the International Council of Airshows in 2005. Granley was recognized for his many entertainment contributions to air show business, for his air show showmanship skills in a wide range of challenging aircraft, for his role as an air show innovator, and for his commitment to doing whatever it takes to use his aircraft to help entertain air show audiences. Granley becomes the twentieth air show performer to receive the prestigious Art Scholl Showmanship Award since it was first offered to recognize air show showmanship. Perhaps the most talented air show pilot of his generation, Scholl was a renowned aerobatic pilot and consummate air show performer. He flew his Penzoil Chipmunk aircraft before an estimated audience of 80 million people over 20 years and appeared in more than 200 motion picture films, documentaries and television commercials. TOP

RENNY PRICE Hammerhead Aerobatics, Inc. and his Sukhoi SU-29

Images and information courtesy of http://hammerheadaerobatics.com

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