Scandinavian Airshow SKYCATS to dazzle crowds at the Skyview Airshow 2024

The Scandinavian Airshow is all set to captivate the crowds with its spectacular skycats wing-walking act at the upcoming Skyview Hungarian Airshow

The Skyview Hungarian Airshow, scheduled for May 12th, 2024, is a must-see event for aviation enthusiasts and spectators. The airshow promises to be an exhilarating experience, featuring a host of exciting attractions. However, the highlight of the event will be the breathtaking skycats wing-walking act performed by the talented Scandinavian Airshow team.

Scandinavian Airshow Skycats at the Sanicole Airshow 2021

The Scandinavian Airshow team is a group of highly skilled individuals who are renowned for their daring stunts and precise manoeuvres. Their captivating performance is sure to impress the audience with an unforgettable display of confidence and skill. They take wing-walking to a whole new level by performing breathtaking and death-defying moves that will leave you speechless. The team's performance is carefully choreographed to showcase their skills and versatility, which they demonstrate through a series of thrilling stunts. From high-speed passes to loops and rolls, the Scandinavian Airshow team's performance will keep you on the edge of your seat, leaving you in awe of their mastery of the skies.

To stay updated with the latest news and information regarding the event, you can visit Skyview Airshow's official Facebook page by clicking here. From thrilling stunts to stunning aerobatics, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience for aviation enthusiasts and adventure-seekers alike.

Scandinavian Airshow Catwalk / Skycats

The SKYCATS are an exceptional flying team that is a part of the Scandinavian Air Show. They perform a breathtaking aerobatic wing-walking act on the specially modified Grumman Ag Cat bi-plane they call the "CATWALK," which is nothing short of awe-inspiring. The act involves a pilot, Jacob Holländer or Sus Jan Hedén, along with up to TWO or even THREE wing walkers. To create an amazing display, they use a powerful smoke system and wingtip pyrotechnic smoke.

During the wing-walking act on the CATWALK, the SKYCATS performers dressed up as cats climb onto the wings of the aircraft and pose in various formations, such as the "Lazy Cat" and the "Super Cat." Meanwhile, the pilot performs numerous aerobatic manoeuvres, such as loops and barrel rolls, to create a thrilling and captivating experience. The entire display is a testament to the team's incredible skill, precision, and attention to detail as they execute their moves with grace and elegance.

Apart from the SKYCATS act, the CATWALK aircraft offers a pyrotechnic night show and SKYWRITING, which are just as remarkable as their daytime wing walking performances. They use their specially designed aircraft, the CATWALK, which is a state-of-the-art air show machine that can be transformed into a pyrotechnic platform in the evening. This enables the team to perform an incredible night pyrotechnic display, which is a breathtaking visual spectacle.

The team collaborates with Scandinavian Airshow's professional pyrotechnician, Claes Bonde, and his team to create stunning night displays. The team uses a variety of pyrotechnics, lasers and LED lights to create an unforgettable experience that will leave you breathless.

Grumman Ag Cat

The Grumman G-164 Ag Cat is a remarkable biplane agricultural aircraft that was developed by Grumman in the 1950s. The aircraft has a single engine and was primarily designed for crop-dusting purposes. The development of the G-164 Ag Cat was initiated in 1955, when Grumman's preliminary design engineers, Joe Lippert and Arthur Koch, proposed the idea of a "purpose-built" crop-dusting airplane. This was seen as a means of meeting the pressing needs of the agricultural community, as well as diversifying Grumman's product lines. A market survey was conducted, which indicated that 100 to 200 of this type could be sold each year. Lippert's initial proposal was called "Farmair 1000."

The first G-164 Ag Cat was built by Grumman and equipped with a Continental Series powerplant. The aircraft had a maiden flight on May 27, 1957, with Grumman test pilot Hank Kurt at the controls. This initial flight test consisted of three short familiarization hops, with the take-off weight set at 3122 lb and the centre of gravity at 31.2%. Test pilot Victor Eble accomplished flight tests 2 and 3 on May 28, 1958, to evaluate the aircraft's general flight characteristics. In total, 46 test flights were completed by the end of August 1958, and it was found that this was a well-behaved aircraft with only minor refinements needed before production.

When the decision was made to authorize production, Leroy Grumman suggested marketing the aircraft under the name "The Grasshopper." However, Dick Reade suggested "Ag Cat" following Grumman's naming tradition using the suffix "cat" in aircraft names (e.g., F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat). Mr. Grumman agreed, and the Grumman G-164 became the "Ag Cat."

The Ag Cat design has changed hands several times. Grumman transferred ownership to its commercial aircraft subsidiary, Grumman American, in 1973. A market feasibility study for a new agricultural aircraft (Ag Cat X) was completed by Grumman American in 1976, indicating that potential market demand existed for more than 100 aircraft each year. The study also showed that most of the concerns expressed by agricultural aircraft operators were addressed by the Ag Cat C model. In 1978, the Grumman American subsidiary, which also owned the Grumman Gulfstream design series, was sold to American Jet Industries.

Since large military orders prevented the production of the Ag Cat at Grumman's Bethpage facility, the entire program was subcontracted to Schweizer Aircraft Corporation of Elmira, New York. The first Schweizer-built Ag Cat flew on October 17, 1958, under the control of Schweizer test pilot Clyde Cook, and full production began in January 1959. The FAA granted type certification on January 20, 1959.

From the start of production through 1981, Schweizer built 2,455 aircraft under contract. In 1981, Schweizer bought the rights to the design and continued production under the name Schweizer Ag Cat. Schweizer sold the design to Ag Cat Corp. of Malden, Missouri in 1995. Five model G-164B aircraft were produced and registered before Ag Cat Corp. entered bankruptcy. One additional aircraft, a G-164BT500, is listed in the FAA registry as having been produced by Ag-Cat Corp., but no tail number was issued. This may have been an upgrade to an existing airframe.

In February 2001, Allied Ag Cat Productions Inc. of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, bought the design, but they are not currently producing new aircraft. However, a related company operates a large fleet of Ag-Cats.

The basic airframe incorporates many safety innovations, including a pressurized cockpit to keep pesticides out, air conditioning, and a fuselage structure that is designed to progressively collapse in the event of a collision. Lippert and Koch were recognized for their innovation in agricultural aircraft, being awarded the Puffer Award by Delta Air Lines in 1974. Floats were approved for the aircraft in Australia in the early 1990s.

In conclusion, the Grumman G-164 Ag Cat is an impressive aircraft that has undergone several changes in ownership and production over the years. It was designed to meet the needs of the agricultural community and has proven to be a reliable and well-behaved aircraft. The incorporation of safety innovations makes it a safe aircraft for use in agricultural settings. Its history and development are a testament to the ingenuity of its designers and the potential for innovation in the aviation industry.