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Oshkosh, WI - The high-tech aircraft flown by the U.S. Aerobatic Team pilots are among the most sophisticated and competitive in the world. These specialized planes are designed for one purpose only: world class Unlimited aerobatic competition. The Team's nine monoplanes and one highly-modified biplane will go head-to-head with planes flown by pilots from 19 other countries this August at the 1996 World Aerobatic Championships in Oklahoma City.

Mike Goulian in the Extra 300S Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

Each U.S. Team pilot owns, maintains, and flies his or her own competition airplane. Half of the Team's ten aircraft are Extra 300 series monoplanes designed and built in Germany by Walter Extra. Mike Goulian (current U.S. National Champion), Phil Knight, John Lillberg, and Patty Wagstaff fly single place Extra 300Ss, while Ellen Dean competes in the two seat 300L.

Ellen Dean's Extra 300L Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

These lightweight, agile planes have steel tube frames and carbon fiber skins. The wings are also carbon fiber.

Linda Meyers Morrissy's CAP 231 Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

Linda Meyers Morrissey and Matt Chapman fly the CAP 231 and CAP 231 EX, respectively. Their fuselages are constructed of wood frames and skins. The CAP 231 wings are also wood, but the EX has carbon fiber wings. Made in France by Avions Mudry, CAP EXs won the last two WACs.

Matt Chapman's CAP 231EX Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

Only six EXs were built and Matt's is the only one in this country.

Texas Hurricane Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

Debby Rihn-Harvey and Diane Hakala both fly custom, one-off American-built monoplanes. The Texas Hurricane was designed and built by Debby's late husband, Dr. Eoin Harvey. lt's a smaller and lighter plane than the other mono wings, and is constructed of chromoly steel tube frame and carbon fiber skin and wings.

The Staudacher 300D Photo: Jim Koepnick/EAA

Diane's Staudacher S300D is her second competition aircraft designed by Jon Staudacher. It's steel tube frame is covered with aluminum and fabric. The wings are wood and carbon fiber.

The Aviat Aircraft S-1-11B Photo: Budd Davidson

Making its grand entry into the world aerobatics arena, Robert Armstrong will fly the Aviat Aircraft S-1-11B biplane. A highly-modified version of the Super Stinker designed by Curtis Pitts, the S-1-11B was created to win in international competition, and it was customized to fit Robert precisely. Chances are that this will be the only biplane at the WAC, since monoplanes have taken over as the silhouette of choice, internationally speaking. All ten team aircraft are powered by Lycoming I0-540 engines, each producing at least 300 hp. Such high horsepower is a critical factor for remaining competitive in the Unlimited world today.

The 1996 WAC is slated for August 18 - 30 at Clarence E. Page Airport near Oklahoma City. Typically held in a European country, this marks the first time the WAC has been held in the United States in 16 years.

Major corporate funding for the U.S. Aerobatic Team is provided by Shell Oil Company, makers of Aeroshell aviation lubricants. Individual contributions in support of the U.S. Aerobatic Team may be directed to: U.S. Aerobatic Foundation, P.O. Box 3086, Oshkosh, Wl 54903 3086.

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