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Methodist
Red, White, And Boom

Prairie Air Show is proud to join in the festivities that make the Methodist Medical - Red, White, & BOOM, 4th of July celebration, such a huge success. We will be bringing a one-hour air show to kick off the evenings events that will all lead up to the grandest fireworks display in downstate Illinois. Prairie Air Show is pleased to join JMP Radio Group, the City of Peoria, and Methodist Medical in providing the people of Central Illinois a truly great way to celebrate our great nation's birth.

Dave DaceySTARDave Dacy – Super Stearman
The Boeing Stearman, Model 75 was used as a training aircraft during World War II. Following the war many of the Stearman Aircraft were used as crop dusters. Modifications include the addition of a 450 H.P. Pratt & Whitney radial engine. Dave truly flies this aircraft in way it was not designed to be flown.
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Black DaggersSTARUSASOC Black Daggers Jump Team
Jim "Fang" Maroney is truly a multi-faceted performer, whose aviation career has been divided into 3 distinct categories; Fighter Pilot, Airline Pilot, and Air Show Performer. Jim was #1 out of 1500 pilots in Naval Flight Training and was #1 in his class at Top Gun at Miramar. Jim flies one of the classic air show aircraft of all time, the Canadian Super Chipmunk. His spellbinding display of aerobatics will have you on the edge of your seat as he performs mind bending lomcevaks and gut wrenching tumbles. Watch in awe as he brings his 3 distinct careers together in his envelope pushing maneuver called the "Waldo Pepper Loop"
:: Website

Jim MaroneySTARJIM "FANG" MARONEY– "SUPER CHIPMUNK"
Jim "Fang" Maroney is truly a multi-faceted performer, whose aviation career has been divided into 3 distinct categories; Fighter Pilot, Airline Pilot, and Air Show Performer. Jim was #1 out of 1500 pilots in Naval Flight Training and was #1 in his class at Top Gun at Miramar. Jim flies one of the classic air show aircraft of all time, the Canadian Super Chipmunk. His spellbinding display of aerobatics will have you on the edge of your seat as he performs mind bending lomcevaks and gut wrenching tumbles. Watch in awe as he brings his 3 distinct careers together in his envelope pushing maneuver called the "Waldo Pepper Loop"
:: Website

Dave DaceySTARDave Dacy / Tony Kazian – Super Stearman Wingwalking Team
When you couple the power of the Super Stearman with a highly skilled wingwalker and a unique entertainer, you get a thrilling air show performance, Tony Kazian brings to the center stage the thrill and excitement of the Dave Dacy/Tony Kazian Super Stearman Wingwalking Team.

clyde zellersSTARCLYDE ZELLERS– NAVY AEROBATIC Air Shows
In this beautiful vintage aircraft, Clyde Zellers performs a stirring salute to the US Military providing the crowd with a glimpse of the maneuvers that young aviators were taught in this original WW II Advanced Trainer. Maneuvers that pilots once performed to earn their wings are now the maneuvers that have been so incredibly set to music in a choreographed patriotic routine that truly pays tribute to, and honors, each and every veteran in attendance.
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Michael VakninSTARMICHAEL VAKNIN– EXTRA 300
Michael’s Passion for flight started at the age of 18 as a paratrooper and continued later as an airborne instructor. In his 4 years of service Mike performed hundreds of static line jumps from C-130's, DC-3's and more. The passion for aviation led Michael to take flying lessons and earn his commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates. Instructing at local flight schools Michael logged hundreds of hours helping new pilots achieve their goals in aviation. The affair with aerobatics started immediately after earning his private pilot certificate, after a short ride in a ZLIN Z-242 and Mike was hooked. Today Michael is an active IAC Competitor and an ICAS member performing at air shows around the country. His style brings precision, speed, head dazzling gyroscopic and high "G" maneuvers.
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Picture of Brad DeckertSTARBRAD DECKERT– TBM AVENGER
Brad is a businessman who started Deckert Electric, Inc. in 1991 in Eureka, IL and remains a majority stockholder. When he is not busy in the office he is enjoying his favorite hobby, flying! Brad started flying in 1999 and has accumulated approximately 3,000 hours in various aircraft. He holds a private pilot certificate, an instrument rating, a commercial rating, a type rating in the TBM and a rotorcraft rating. In addition to these, he has endorsements for high performance, complex, and tail wheel airplanes. Brad will give the crowd an up-close and personal glimpse of the this truly exotic warbird.
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Prairie Air Show is proud to partner with Methodist Medical and JMP Radio Group in making the Fourth of July celebration in Peoria the best in the country. As we celebrate the birth of our country let’s not forget the men and women who are still protecting our freedom and salute them all.