Ward hits the big time with performance at AirVenture

Aerobatic pilot Gary Ward is shown taking a spin in his MX2, a high-energy monoplane with a maximum cruising speed of 190 knots (218 mph) and a range of 750 nautical miles (852 miles). Photo courtesy of Bonnie Kratz of the EAA.

Aerobatic pilot Gary Ward has of ficially arrived - he was invited to perform at EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture Oshkosh, the largest aviation event in the United States.

"It's every pilot's dream to perform at Oshkosh," stated Ward. "It's 'The Masters' of aviation."

Known as the "World's Greatest Aviation Celebration," AirVenture was held July 23-29 at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. It is part airshow, part trade show, and part family reunion.

Over 750,000 people from all over the United States - the world even - flew, drove, or brought motorhomes to Oshkosh for AirVenture. In addition to the daily airshows, the event featured more than 500 forums conducted by leaders in the field of aviation, NASA researchers, aircraft designers, etc. as well as exhibits that included anything remotely related to aviation - all the latest production aircraft, experimental kit-built aircraft, World War II bombers and other military aircraft, and aircraft electronics.

AirVenture also has a fantastic museum. Along with all sorts of aviation memorabilia, the museum played host to some of the world's greatest pilots this year. Gen. Chuck Yeager appeared at the museum's Vette Theater talking about breaking the sound barrier; Lt. Col. Lars Hoffman spoke on flying the U-2 spy plane, and Joe Duff, an ultralight pilot from Operation Migration, discussed leading young, endangered whooping cranes on their fall migration.

Then, every evening, visitors enjoyed superb aviation programs and entertainment at the Theater in the Woods. The programs were typically conducted by NASA astronauts, top test pilots, and world-famous aviation personalities.

For those who love flying, EAA AirVenture is the closest thing to Heaven on this earth.

"I was truly honored and excited when I received my invitation in February to fly at Oshkosh," Ward said. "I practiced a lot in the two weeks prior to heading to Wisconsin."

In addition to AirVenture, Ward has performed at countless other venues including Sun N Fun, a huge fly-in/ airshow held annually in Lakeland, Florida.

"Although neither AirVenture nor Sun N Fun actually pays pilots to perform, the exposure one gets at these events is well worth the effort," stated the Lincoln County native.

He went on to say that Lincolnton gets some exposure as well. "Quite often, after I have flown a performance, and it was announced that I am from Lincolnton, Georgia, someone will come up to me and ask if I have heard of the Lewis Family. They are amazed when I tell them the Lewis Family lives just up the road from me and that Little Roy (Lewis) is a good friend of mine. I realize then who the real celebrities are."

Ward is currently flying an MX2 high-energy monoplane. All of the structural components, with the exception of the landing gear and engine mounts, are constructed of carbon fiber, which is very strong and designed for well in excess of plus or minus 10 Gs.

Weighing in at 1,307 pounds, the MX2 has a maximum cruising speed of 190 knots (218 mph) and a range of 750 nautical miles (852 miles).

During his performances at AirVenture, Ward really put the plane through its paces, with breathtaking gyrations that range from zero speed hovers to dives in excess of 250 mph. The MX2 is so powerful that at the end of an inverted flat spin, rotation is stopped and the aircraft will fly out, inverted, without the nose ever dropping below the horizon. In fact, the aircraft can perform many maneuvers that an "airplane just isn't supposed to do."

Accompanying the aerobatic pilot to Wisconsin were his nephew, Steed Collins, and his nieces, Savannah and Emma Collins.

Although Ward has been flying since he was a teenager, he did not become involved in "serious aerobatics" until 1995 when he and a friend purchased a wrecked Pitts S2-B and had it rebuilt. In 1999, he moved to the Giles 202, and in 2006, he became the first pilot to begin flying airshows in the new MX2.

During his career, he has performed at air shows in Peoria, Illinois; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Beaufort, South Carolina; Miami, Florida; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; Pensacola, Florida; Genesco, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Guadeloupe in the Caribbean; Acapulco, Mexico; Kingston, Jamaica; and the Cayman Islands. He is presently scheduled to fly at Boshears Skyfest 2007, set for October 20-21 at Daniel Field in Augusta.

Ward has likewise been featured in various publications such as "The AutoPILOT" magazine; The Post- Standard newspaper in Syracuse, New York; the 2008 "World of Flight" calendar; "World Airshow News" magazine; and "Sport Aerobatics" magazine.

"I am a relative latecomer to the air show business. I'm a little older than most of the people doing this kind of thing, but I work hard at it," said Ward. "It has been a real energizing force in my life.

"Aerobatics can be dangerous," he continued. "It is difficult to recover from some of the maneuvers if you're not an experienced pilot. Also, aerobatics can put extreme loads on airplanes, and some of them are not designed for this."

Ward indicated that he has never been afraid while flying although "a few things have gotten my attention, and I definitely have a health respect for airplanes."

When he is not up in the air doing rolling arches, tumbles, high-speed dives, and loops, the Georgia Tech graduate manages his own timberlands and does consulting work for the wood processing industry.

Ward is the son of the late Pelham and Elizabeth "Tootlum" Ward.