The jet aerobatic display ‘American Eagles’, made up of four United States aerobatic pilots, will hold its international debut at next year’s Warbirds Over Wānaka (WOW) airshow.

WOW general manager Ed Taylor said the four pilots, which include ex-USAF ‘Thunderbird’ pilots, have been working hard on getting the team and aircraft together for the past six years and are super excited it’s finally going to happen.

“At our last airshow in 2018 ex-Thunderbird F-16 pilot Paul ‘Sticky’ Strickland put on a stunning solo L-39 display which wowed the crowd,” Ed said. 

“He mentioned he had some equally talented buddies back in the US who would love to put a special team together for the next airshow.”  

The 2020 and 2022 Wānaka airshows were subsequently cancelled because of Covid-19 so 2024 will be the first time the pilots will fly together as the American Eagles.

‘Sticky’ will be joined by another ex-‘Thunderbird’ pilot Dean ‘Wilbur’ Wright, John ‘Bordz’ Posson, and Rob ‘Stache’ Hutchinson.  

All four are current members of the Patriots L-39 Jet display team, which is generally regarded as the best civilian jet display team in the country, Ed said.

“These guys are at the top of their game when it comes to jet aerobatic displays and are working up an amazing four-ship routine for Wanaka which will leave airshow patrons in no doubt they are witnessing absolute world-class flying,” Ed said.

Paul Strickland says he can’t wait to return to New Zealand.  

“I had an amazing time at the 2018 airshow and it has been my mission to get back there. We are pretty confident the crowd is going to love what they see – the four of us flying together for the very first time as the ‘American Eagles’ team.”

The Aero L-39 Albatros aircraft they will be flying at Wānaka are being supplied by Fighterjets.nz, based in Tauranga.  

Fighterjets owner Craig Mossman says seeing his aircraft displayed to the very best of their ability by world-class pilots is very satisfying and he can’t wait for next Easter.

“We will have the full Fighterjets.nz team at Wānaka and the aircraft will be available for joy rides across the airshow weekend. So if you want to fly like an American Eagle then come and see us at the show and book a ride,” he said.

The three-day Warbirds Over Wānaka international airshow will return to Wānaka Airport next Easter. 

PHOTO: Supplied