EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 Reprise: Gene Soucy and the Showcat

By Fred Harl

The airshows at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 attracted the top talent in the industry, including Gene Soucy.  Soucy is a legend in aerobatics, having joined the U.S. Aerobatic Team at age 22, assisting the team in winning its first World Title.  He became three-time U.S. and Canadian National Champion, and began his airshow career in 1968.  Soucy flew Pitts S-1S, BD-4, Bellanca Decathlon, Piper Cub and Cessna 150 before the current Showcat (modified Grumman Ag-Cat) and Extra 300S.  He has flown with the Red Devil and Eagle Aerobatic Teams and has flown in many movie scenes as well.  Since 1988, most of his performances  have included Teresa Stokes, rated pilot and aviation artist whose   wing-walking act has become the standard in the industry ever since.  Here are some views of Gene Soucy as he flew in the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2012 airshows: