Air show brings thrills, chills, laughs, gasps

Waking up the morning after the air show is a little like waking up the day after Christmas. There is a certain sadness of the soul that must be dealt with before getting on with the rest of the week.

But should you be fortunate enough to have been part of the weekend goings-on out at Glacier Park International Airport Saturday and Sunday, then you are left with the very best memories.

Who, for instance, could forget the voice of Gordon Bowman-Jones - the Englishman-turned-Aussie-turned American show announcer? Warm, droll and folksy, Bowman-Jones knows exactly how to mesmerize an audience.

He started out life as an electrical engineer and in 1971 bought a 1941 Stearman - an aircraft famous for its stunt and aerobatics capabilities. From that moment on it was good-by, engineering and hello, flying.

"My aerobatics instructor asked me to announce his air show in return for giving me free lessons," he said. "I eventually went from doing that original show to the 30 shows a year I now do.

"I understand pilots. In my past, I've flown everything from 747s to F-16s to blimps to gliders. All I want is for everyone out there to partake of the same joy I experienced the first time I ever saw an air show."

One of the fascinating things about air shows is that in addition to enjoying all the show biz moments, you can also learn a lot - all you have to do is ask.

For example, Master Sgt. Ted Gasvoda of Great Falls was standing next to an F-16C aircraft belonging to the 120th fighter squadron of the Montana Air Guard. If you ever wanted to know how a machine that's been to Iraq and back rides, Ted Gasvoda is the crew chief who can answer your questions.

"This plane was built in 1986," he said. "It was over in Iraq last year and dropped its share of 500-pound and 2,000-pound bombs there. And though it's a single-seater aircraft, it requires a huge maintenance staff of experts in hydraulics, engines, electric and munitions to run it right."

Sgt. Christy Thompson, Montana Air Guard recruiter, was seated at a table close by the F-16 - giving out Frisbees and aviation photos. She said she had also handed out some literature to passersby who appeared to be mulling over the idea of enlisting.

Temperatures were slightly cooler on Sunday, so walking around and checking out the planes was a lot more comfortable than it had been the previous day.

Fred Dahl of Columbia Falls hasn't missed a local air show yet. "I've always been fascinated with pilots and what they can do," he said. "They're my idols."

Dahl looked to be a man on a mission and not at all troubled by the heat or the enormous number of exhibits waiting to be to be seen.

Performer Warren Pietsch comes from a 30-year family tradition of air shows. Along with his brother, Kent, he does about 10 week-end shows a year - and that's in addition to both brothers holding down full-time jobs as commercial airline pilots.

The Pietsches are in the business of making you thrill, chill, laugh and gasp. They do everything from inverted spins to snap rolls to tail slides. Kent Pietsch also lands his Interstate Cadet on the roof of a speeding RV - a move akin to landing on an aircraft carrier. Well, somewhat akin to that.

Joe Unterreiner, president of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, which made Mountain Madness '05 a reality, said he is delighted with the way the air show went.

"Couldn't be better," he said. "It's been an all-time great community celebration."

Unterreiner said that any money the Chamber comes away with at the end of the day will be earmarked for economic and community development programs.

Total visitors to the week-end air show were estimated to be 40,000.

Throughout Sunday, volunteer Jim Coolidge stood out in the parking area directing traffic. A self-described stockbroker and insurance-guy, Coolidge was happy to help out.

"They bring me plenty of water and lunch," he said. "Of course, it's a little hard directing traffic while you're holding a ham sandwich. But, what the heck. You gotta feel good about what you're doing."

It was that kind of weekend.

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'couldn't

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