Rob Reider - air show announcer, recipient of the coveted ICAS “Sword of Excellence, entertainer, pilot, Midwest television personality, singer, performer, writer, and winner of 5 Emmy awards has put all his experience into bringing the excitement of air shows “up close and personal” to audiences all over the country.
2007 was an outstanding year for Rob. On December 13 at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Convention in Las Vegas, he received the ICAS “Sword of Excellence,” the highest award an air show professional can receive.
He’s recognized by pilots around the country as the on-camera host for Sporty’s Pilot Shops pilot training videos.
All of his entertainment, show business, video, and aviation experience have given him the ability to communicate the excitement of air shows to the audience. “I’ve never gotten over just how amazing air show performers are,” Rob says. “Narrating a show is a wonderful opportunity to try to put an audience ’into the cockpit.’ Besides, when I’m announcing, I have the best seat in the house!”
photo courtesyKSBW-TV
Jim Vanderzwaan's back in the saddle again this year, announcing for the California International Air Show. From a booth above the crowds, Jim has provided animated play-by-play of jets thundering through the sky or describing the skills behind the daring dives for aerobaitc pilots. "I try to capture what's going on in the cockpit so people can feel a connection with what they are seeing" said Jim, who has had his pilot's license for some 27 years. Jim has also been in the jump seat with the major jet demonstration performers including the US Navy Blue Angels, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the USAF Thunderbirds. This firsthand experience gives Jim a unique appreciation of the mechanics of flying and allows him to relay the amazement of skillful piloting from a personal perspective. "I realize a good part of the
audience may not be considering the g-forces on a pilot as he's barreling through the sky or have given a second thought to the workings of a plane as it takes off or lands or performs aerobatics," he said, "I try and make it real for everyone, so they understand the marvel behind the manuevers". You can catch Jim weeknights keeping those pilots and the rest of us updated on the weather forecast on the NBC affilliate KSBW-TV Action News 8.
