SpringBash’08 is to be held at the Albertville Regional Airport in Albertville, Alabama on April 26, 2008. There are many activities slated for SpringBash’08 including an Aerobatic Air Show, Military Displays and Fly-By’s, a civilian pilot Fly-In, Classic Auto Cruise-In, Bike Rally, Kids Park, Food, Craft’s, Vendors and more. All proceeds from this event will benefit Hospice of Marshall County~Shepherd’s Cove.

The Fly-In is headed by Bob Lock and Doug Emge. Bob is a veteran pilot with 50  years in commercial and civil aviation.  Doug is owner of Albertville Aviation. Participants can take advantage of showing off their planes and talking with local attendees and sharing aviation knowledge with all.

The Classic Auto Cruise-In is highlighted by The Sand Mountain Cruisers auto club and other participating car clubs and individuals showing off their “toys” for everyone. There will not be judging but there will be a drawing for prizes for participation.  There isn’t a charge for showing up but the Cruisers will be hosting a 50/50 raffle with 50% going to prizes and 50% going to Hospice of Marshall County~Shepherd’s Cove.  This raffle drawing will be available for everyone attending the SpringBash so all can get in on the action.

The Motorcycle Rally will include a Hospice Run for the entrants consisting of approximately a 2 hour round trip ride to gather their stamps and ultimately return to the airport to show their bikes and to collect prizes. There isn’t charge to enter but there is a $10 donation to enter the ride. Each bike must complete the ride to be eligible for cash prizes.  All other bike entrants will be able to take part in other fundraising events available.

The Aerobatic Airshow will be performed by Greg Koontz, a world renowned stunt and aerobatic pilot.  Greg Koontz learned to fly in 1969 getting his Private Pilot Certificate when he turned 17 years old. In his senior year in high school, Greg restored a 1946 Piper J-3 Cub in his mother’s garage and flew the antique plane for 300 hours to gain experience for a flying career. Before turning 18, he sold his Piper Cub, using the money to take lessons for his commercial pilot certificate and all the pilot ratings he would need to pursue the pilot profession. Well before that birthday, Greg was working as a flight instructor and attending Business College at the University of Montevallo in Alabama.

At age 20, Greg got his start in the airshow business when he bought another Piper Cub from Ernie Moser in St. Augustine, Florida. Soon Ernie was calling Greg wanting to borrow back the Cub to use it in his traveling airshow called Ernie Moser’s Flying Circus. Greg agreed to lend Ernie the use of the Cub if he could perform in the airshow doing a comedy act. Ernie agreed and after the first show Greg was hired to perform in all the shows the flying circus did. Greg soon was working full time for Ernie Moser and his son Jim Moser living in St. Augustine, FL. As the years went by he learned more aerobatics and other airshow skills. Ernie let Greg perform his famous “World’s Smallest Airport” stunt where he lands on a moving pickup truck. Jim Moser taught him to perform low level aerobatics in the Great Lakes Bi-Plane and later in the Super Decathlon. Greg stayed with the flying circus until deciding it was time to “get serious work” and persue a corporate flying career in 1981.

Until 2002 Greg flew jet aircraft for a corporation in Alabama and performed airshows in his spare time. Greg is known throughout the USA and parts of Latin America as the foremost authority on the Super Decathlon aircraft. Besides doing an inverted ribbon cut 15 feet above the ground in airshows, Greg specializes in teaching pilots how to fly aerobatics in his Super Decathlon.

Today Greg is a full time airshow and aerobatics professional. Greg and his wife Cora run a Bed & Breakfast on a private grass strip in Ashville, AL. The B&B is home for Greg’s busy aerobatic school and airshow business. Since 2003 he has been sponsored by American Champion Aircraft which supplies him with new Super Decathlons to demonstrate in front of millions of people each year.

The Food Court is led by Lynn and Tera Fortenberry of Crossville.  Lynn regularly cooks and is involved in many community outings.  There will be bar-b-que along with hamburgers and hot dogs as well as ice cream on sale.

The Kids Court will have many activities that day including blow up rides, face painting and many other activities.  Space Camp and Aviation Challenge along with Stepping Stones to Aviation will have displays.  Also a rock climbing wall, Humvee and games provided by US Army and displays by the Air Force Reserve and Air Force.

There will be static military aircraft on display and fly-by’s during the afternoon.  We’ll have a list soon to post on this site as soon as aircraft become available.
The full size stage will be hosted by WQSB where the Albertville High School Jazz Ensemble will perform and many speakers and drawings will be held. Some of the other activities include parachute jumpers, color guard, music and more!

This is a family oriented event designed for families to spend a day together and to encourage aviation awareness and education.  There is no admission to this event and everyone is encouraged to attend…..look for you there!