Oshkosh Reflections

On 2-Aug-2005, "Jay Honeck" wrote:

Instead, Sean Tucker wielded his clout to get his son's act in the show,
the
aptly named "Stars of Tomorrow" (or something like that). They weren't
bad -- but it's pretty clear (after talking with some of Skip's sponsors)
that Tucker doesn't want his "heir apparent" to be anyone outside the
family...

I'll take issue with this one. We attended a forum presented by Sean Tucker
and the three young people in the Stars of Tomorrow. SOT was started by
Mike Goulian and Sean Tucker in 2003. They had six young people flying that
year, and according to what was said at the forum, Eric Tucker was rejected
as not being good enough. Eric was not pleased (to say the least), but his
dad told him straight-up to go work on his flying, win some aerobatic
competitions, and try out again. Eric did that, and this year was selected
for the team. Eric and his father both stressed that Eric wasn't given any
favoritism. Sean and the other team members all said Eric EARNED his place
on the team, it wasn't a "gimme". The other team members and Sean both said
if anything, Eric's tryout was even tougher than everyone elses.
Chandy Clanton, who also flew at OSH this year (red, white and blue
Extra), was one of the original SOT performers, for what it's worth. In
2003, they had six team members, but their financial backer insisted on
the team being reduced to three. The SOT now have the addition of Wayne
Handley (flew airshows in a plane called the Raven) and Bill Stein,
right-wing on the Red Baron Pizza Squadron who serve as mentors for the
kids. They are not above "firing" someone who isn't performing up to
standards. During the forum, they mentioned having to drop a female from
the team who just wasn't working out, and Jessy Panzer was selected to
take her place.
Anyway, my wife and I came away from the forum absolutely impressed with
Sean Tucker and the SOT members. Sean's motives seemed to be purely to
help deserving, hard-working young people break into the airshow business.
I have no idea if Sean pulled any strings to get the SOT in the EAA
lineup, but with all the backing they have from other big-names in the
airshow business, I doubt it was necessary.
Scott WIlson