LAKELAND, FL--(Marketwired - May 29, 2014) - Black Diamond Jet Team, a civilian-owned aerobatic jet team based in Lakeland, FL, performed at the Cherry Point Air Show on May 16, 17 and 18. The biennial show was held aboard the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in Cherry Point, NC and drew over 100,000 spectators over the weekend.
The Black Diamond Jet Team flew five L-39 jet aircraft, led by USAF Retired Lt Colonel Jerry "Jive" Kerby, and performed all of their signature maneuvers, including the "Make-A-Wish Roll" which is dedicated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the "Vortex", and also the "Diamond Loop" and "Diamond Roll", both of which showcase the pilots' flying skills as they maintain a 2-3 foot wingtip-to-canopy separation.
Black Diamond pilot USN Retired CAPT Dale "Snort" Snodgrass also flew a solo performance featuring belly passes, banana passes, loops, rolls, and the daring "Duel Tail Slides" in which he takes his L-39 vertical, pulls back on the throttles, and then lets the aircraft come to a complete stop, hovering for a second or two before sliding backwards, dropping the nose and then sweeping down.
MCAS Cherry Point's air show is the largest air show in the Carolinas and one of the largest military air shows in the Southeast US. This year's theme for the air show was "Inspiration to Innovation" which was selected from over 200 theme contest entries.
In addition to Black Diamond Jet Team's performance, other highlights at the show included the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, a Marine Air-Ground Task Force demonstration, the Smoke-n-Thunder jet car, a host of civilian and military aerobatic demonstrations, a fun zone for the kids, plus historic and modern static aircraft displays on the flight line.
About Black Diamond Jet Team
Black Diamond Jet Team is a civilian-owned aerobatic jet team based in Lakeland, FL. Partially sponsored by Harbortouch, a leading national POS system and payment processing provider, the team includes five L-39s and two Mig-17s painted in a distinctive arctic camouflage. Black Diamond Jet Team has performed at dozens of air shows and performed numerous flyovers since it was founded in 2011. For airshow performances, sports flyovers, movie premiere and other event bookings, please email info@BlackDiamondJetTeam.com.
