• Privacy Policy
  • Thrift Store Finds
  • Fresh From The Farm
  • Craft Projects
    • Pinterest Party
    • Aprons
    • Quilting
    • Fabric
    • Sewing
    • Tutorials
    • Beads
    • Crafts
    • Jewelry
  • Shop & Support Me!
    • Shop Gluten Free on Amazon.com
    • Shop Omaha Steaks
    • Schwan’s Home Delivery on Amazon.com
    • Maryland Crabs
  • Book Shelf
    • Adult Fiction
    • Children’s Books
    • Cookbooks
    • Craft & Sewing
    • Gardening
    • Non Fiction
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Good food, good company, good advice from Grandma

  • Home
  • Contact
    • About
      • About My Header
    • Hi, PR. What can I do for you?
    • Disclosure
    • Giveaway Rules: Please Read Them
    • Privacy Policy
    • Follow Me! Social Media Links
    • Recognition & Awards
    • FabGrandchildren
  • Gluten Free
  • The House
    • Getting Pre-Approved
    • Finding The One
    • The Loan Application
    • Closing The Loan
    • Fixing It Up
    • Thrift Store Finds
    • The Yard & Garden
  • Local
  • Travel
    • Campground Reviews
    • Hotel & Motel Reviews
    • Places I Want To Go
    • Alabama
    • Arizona
      • Colorado river
      • Grand Canyon
      • North Rim
    • Arkansas
    • California
    • Colorado
    • Florida
      • Amelia Island
      • Destin
    • Georgia
      • Atlanta
      • Helen
      • Marietta
      • Savannah
      • The Golden Isles
    • Louisana
    • Maryland
    • Mexico
    • Mississippi
      • Tunica
    • Missouri
    • Nevada
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • North Carolina
    • Oklahoma
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
    • Utah
    • Virginia
      • Richmond
  • Health
    • Atherosclerosis
    • Chronic Pain
    • COPD
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Ostomy Life
    • PTSD
    • Rosacea
    • Skin Cancer
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Type II Diabetes
  • Recipes
    • Re-Create The Recipe
  • Gift Guides
    • 2016 Holiday Gift Guide
      • 2016 Holiday Gift Guide Sponsors
    • 2015 Holiday Gift Guide
      • 2015 Holiday Gift Guide Sponsors
    • 2014 Gift Guide
    • 2013 Holiday Table Gift Guide
      • Sponsors For Our 2013 Holiday Table Gift Guide
    • 2013 Family Gift Guide
      • 2013 Family Gift Guide Sponsors
    • 2012 Grandma’s Gift Guide
  • Fashion
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Around West Georgia: Wings Over North Georgia Air Show, Rome

Karen · 2 Comments

Share11
Tweet
Pin
Share
11 Shares
Welcome To Wings Over North Georgia
Welcome To Wings Over North Georgia

Yesterday Fabgrandpa and I went to Russell Field in Rome, Georgia to meet with the GEICO Skytypers before the Wings Over North Georgia Air Show opened to the public. The show is this weekend,  October 12-October 13, 2013.  The 2013 Smoke and Thunder BBQ Classic will also take place during the show. While none of this was going on while we were there, we still had a great time, and got a look at some of the things that went on the day before a big event.

Empty food concession booths will be filled up tomorrow!
Empty food concession booths will be filled up tomorrow!

We are not new to getting ready for big things. We worked for five seasons at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for the National Park Service, so we were the ones who got things ready for the world to come to the canyon every year, and that was a  lot of work. We were just glad we were there to observe yesterday!

These empty bleachers will be packed tomorrow.
These empty bleachers will be packed tomorrow.

The best part about the event we attended was getting to meet the GEICO Skytypers, an air team that writes giant letters in the sky that can be seen for miles. The press release for them says

“The team performs a thrilling, low-altitude, precision-formation flying demonstration.  The pilots fly six WWII-vintage aircraft, coming from all directions and filling the sky to provide spectators a unique viewing experience while showcasing the tactics and maneuvers utilized in training during WWII.”

Me with some of the pilots. That's me in the red shirt, hahahaha!
Me with some of the pilots. That’s me in the red shirt, hahahaha!

While talking with the pilots, I found out that the team originated after World War II, and the original team members were pilots during the war. The team has been together for five generations, and some of the current pilots are related to the original guys.

The GEICO Skytypers van. Isn't it gorgeous?
The GEICO Skytypers van. Isn’t it gorgeous?

I interviewed Chris Orr, the pilot on the far right in the picture above. Here are a few of the questions I asked him, and his answers:

Me: How long have you been flying?

CO: I’ve been flying since 1992, when I was a Navy pilot, so 21 years.

Me: How did you get into doing air shows?

CO: A friend of mine got me into it. I started out shuttling planes from one place to another for the show, and got to be a member of the flying team three years ago.

Me: (actually Fabgrandpa asked this one) Is this a full time job for you?

CO: I am actually a commercial pilot. Flying in the air show is a part time job. Most of the pilots in the air show are commercial pilots.

Me: Has your grandmother ever seen you perform in an air show.

CO: No, unfortunately my grandmother has passed on. But, she did see me fly when I was a Navy pilot and she was very proud of me. One of my grandmothers was actually a pilot, but I don’t think she ever got her license. She loved flying!

Me: How long does it take to learn a new routine or stunt?

CO: It takes a couple of months. We practice new routines in the spring before we start doing shows.

After my interview with Chris, we went over by the planes to take some pictures.

Me with the GEICO Skytypers Team
Me with the GEICO Skytypers Team

Another photographer who was there told them to pose “like pilots pose” and here is the result:

Pilots posing!
Pilots posing!

I had a chance to talk to the Skytypers manager, Vince Giampietro.

Me and Vince Giampietro, manager for GEICO Events.
Me and Vince Giampietro, manager for GEICO Events.

Me: How long have you been with GEICO?

VP: I’ve worked with GEICO for 28 years.  I manage many other GEICO events around the country, not just the Skytypers.

Me: How many air shows the Skytypers do each year?

VP: They do 12 shows per year.

Me: What is your favorite city for doing an air show?

VP: um, Rome, Georgia. (wink wink)

Fabgrandpa resting on the GEICO golf cart.
Fabgrandpa resting on the GEICO golf cart.
Share11
Tweet
Pin
Share
11 Shares

Filed Under: Fun Stuff, Out And About

Reader Interactions

Creative Fabrica

Comments

  1. Henrietta says

    October 15, 2013 at 9:26 am

    Oh how fun! My husband would love to attend a show like this, he has always wanted to fly! Love the photos of you with the pilots and LOL at the “pilot pose!” It is really neat to hear about the history of the group and the connection with World War II!

    Reply
  2. Becca says

    October 16, 2013 at 8:45 pm

    Great job! Love the photos!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Food Advertising by logo

Become A Fab Follower: Sign Up To Follow Me By Email

Subscribe to my e-mail list

* indicates required

…

Amazon Gift Cards

Target
Food Advertising by logo

Fabgrandma Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

My Most Popular Posts

Search Fabgrandma

Get Inexpensive Bi-focals! Mine were under $50!

Amazon Deals!

My Wish List--Buy Me Something, You Know You Want To!

Read All My Old Posts!

Chat Line Numbers - Find someone interesting to chat with.
AffordablePapers.com
- get your essay written for cheap.
logo
Food Advertisements by
d4ace3d8f4759a8f0ecdb9b1d1409c42-332

© 2021 · FAB GRANDMA · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Find Your Influence
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.