EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018: Airshow Performers - Geico Skytypers

By Fred Harl

When the Geico Skytypers are not writing giant messages overhead, they are very likely flying precision aerobatics and mock dogfights. The team flies 6 early model SNJ-2 Texans equipped with enlarged fuel capacity and smaller overall dimensions than other Texan models. The aircraft are ideal for the team - slow and stable for skywriting and maneuverable for the dogfight portion of the show.  

The Geico Skytypers use a ground-based, computer-controlled program to produce the skywriting messages. Each sequence of smoke trails is commanded by radio signals to each aircraft at the correct time to form letters 1000 feet tall at 10,000 feet altitude. This process forms letters much faster and at a larger size than the typical skywriting process.  

Here we have some spectacular views of the Geico Skytypers as they perform in the airshow: