New aerial acts, announcer added to ‘Wings Over South Texas’ show

NAS Corpus Christi’s “Wings Over South Texas” 2019 air show acts are falling in line to help fill the card for the two-day event Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14.

In addition to the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force’s Air Combat Command A-10 Demonstration Team, two civilian acts have been added to the line-up – Rob Holland in his MXS-RH and Randy Ball in his MiG-17F.

Holland is one of the most decorated, respected and innovative aerobatic pilots and air show performers in the world today. Flying the MXS-RH, an all carbon fiber, competition–ready, single-seat aerobatic airplane designed and built by MX Aircraft, Holland brings an unrivaled performance to air shows, thrilling millions of spectators with his dynamic and breathtaking display.

Holland has won six consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Championships, three World Freestyle Aerobatic Championships and the International Council of Airshows prestigious Art Scholl Award for Showmanship, the highest honor any air show pilot can receive, and has distinguished himself by blazing a trail of innovation, developing maneuvers never before seen at air shows.

Ball is North America’s premier jet demonstration pilot. He has well over 1,000 performances to date. No other North American jet demo pilot comes close to that. In fact, Ball is the only jet demo pilot (military or civilian) to be granted both a day and night unlimited aerobatic rating in jet fighters by the FAA. He has flown more than 42 different types of aircraft, manufactured in nine countries.

During his demo in the MiG-17F, Ball routinely pulls 8 Gs, and reaches speeds approaching 700 mph, all while sometimes flying less than 100 feet off the ground.

Rob Reider has also signed on to be the air show announcer. Reider has been announcing full-time since 2006, amassing more than 250 shows from Maine to California to Japan. His talents have earned him the highest award in the air show industry, the International Council of Air Shows “Sword of Excellence.”

“Narrating a show is a wonderful opportunity to try to put an audience ‘into the cockpit,’” Reider said. “Besides, when I’m announcing, I have the best seat in the house.”

The air show planning committee is working on a full day of flying acts, static displays and others activities that will thrill and excite visitors young and old.

The air show is free. Parking is free.

More information can be found at https://www.facebook.com/wostairshow/. Questions can also be directed to nasccpao@navy.mil.