Dan
Performance description (day)
Dan launches with his glider from atop a moving vehicle driving down the runway at about 30mph with the flag, streamers and bright orange smoke trailing. He steadily tow-climbs to an altitude of 1,200’ - 1,800' while speaking live via a radio link to the audience. A variable tension winch on the launch vehicle can spin out up to 3,000 feet of tow-line during his ascent.
Dan will perform a number of challenging "aerial water-ski turns" as the tow vehicle (used at airport air shows) U-turns during his climb to keep him in front of the audience. Watch as he descends, wheels, circles and dives to a stirring musical accompaniment. During his graceful descent, smoke and streamers trail behind punctuated with brilliant flashes and streaks of custom special effects....and he does this after dark too!
An aerobatic plane will sometimes “surprise” Dan as well as the crowd by simultaneously taking off, looping and harassing him as he climbs, maybe even attacking and cutting yards off of his long wingtip streamers. The humorous radio transmissions between Dan and his aggressor are carried live to the audience. (Aerobatic plane not included in performance pricing)
When Dan lands, it’s then when the crowd discovers that Dan can’t walk as a police car with lights and siren screaming arrives, or a helicopter delivers the wheelchair on a long line into his hand. Dan then quickly rolls to the crowd line signing programs for the kids and answering questions.
Performance description (night)
This spectacular POWER GLIDER NIGHT SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA with high and low-level ground fireworks, gas bombs and other ground effects for 2009 will be the most intense air show night choreography yet. Dan’s solo night show has been popular for years but this goes far beyond!!
Aircraft
Dan’s unpowered air show hang glider (which he uses in the daytime act) and the motorized hang glider (which he uses for the night time act), are both designed by NorthWing in Wenatchee WA. Both are registered with the FAA as experimental aircraft with N numbers because of the commercial entertainment work he does. Hang gliding has come a long way since the perilous 70’s. Dan’s factory built aircraft are rigorously engineered, stress tested and instruction is mandatory. (32’ wing span)
Special permits and licenses
* FAA Commercial Glider pilot
* Federal “User of Low Explosives” permit from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE).
* Pyrotechnic Operators-Performer license from the State of California.
Life philosophy
When asked why he flies, Dan's usual smiling response is,
"I have to fly... I can't walk!" | 
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