 The ICAS Foundation recently announced the three newest inductees into its prestigious Air Show Hall of Fame: Air show performer Eddie Andreini, performer and aerobatic instructor Pappy Kobelt, and performer and event organizer Grady Thrasher will be inducted into an Air Show Hall of Fame that includes our industry’s greatest legends, including Paul Poberezny, Bob Hoover, Leo Loudenslager, Charlie Hillard, Bill Barber, Bill Sweet, Art Scholl, Curtis Pitts, Bevo Howard, Duane Cole, and Cliff Henderson.
Andreini is a California-based air show performer who has built his reputation as an excellent performer and tireless advocate for the air show business over the last five decades. From his solo and wingwalking Stearman acts to his high performance Yak-9 and P-1 Mustang warbird performances, Andreini does it all.
Best known as one of the first dedicated aerobatic instructors, Kobelt was a leader and pioneer in aerobatic instruction. Largely due to his support and involvement, the Kobelt Airport in Walkhill, New York was the mecca of its day for aerobatic instruction and aspiring air show performers.
Thrasher, founder of the Thrasher Brothers Aerial Circus, was active in the mid- to late-1940s, principally in the southeast United States. After serving as a flight instructor during World War II, Thrasher committed himself to stimulating interest in aviation by becoming an air show performer. He performed in his Piper Cub and Waco biplane at nearly 400 shows from 1945 to 1950. He pioneered the car-top landing act and the “human pick-up and return.”
The Foundation will induct these three newest members of the Air Show Hall of Fame during the Chairman’s Banquet on Thursday, December 5, at the conclusion of the 2013 ICAS Convention in Las Vegas.
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