Known for fresh, lively, knowledge-based commentary, Danny Clisham is one of America’s most popular air show announcers. In the course of his career, he has entertained millions of attendees at air shows throughout North America. Sponsoring organizations have long relied on Danny’s professionalism and credibility to repeatedly put on performances that thrill audiences and keep them coming back year after year. In 2006, Danny celebrated his fortieth year as an air show announcer. At the end of 2007, he was inducted into the Air Show Hall of Fame.
Danny's talents as an actor and a pilot have served him well in Hollywood, where his credits include both sides of the silver screen. He has provided on-screen and voice-over work on film features such as Wings of Courage and SkyDancers. As aerial stunt coordinator, he performed as a stunt double or safety advisor on Where the Buffalo Roam, Moving Violations, and on the television hit show Baywatch.
Danny pursued an aviation career shortly after graduation from high school by first purchasing a Piper Cub and then soloing. Having successfully achieved his boyhood dream, he became a professional pilot for a major airline. As a career airline pilot, Danny set and has broken world-class speed records. These records are officially sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association, the United States representative of world record keeper Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Paris.
Currently, Danny is one of a small corps of test pilots hand-picked for participation in a Boeing 747 supertanker project for Evergreen International Aviation. In addition to working on the development, testing and deployment of the supertankers, Danny flies the Evergreen T-28 chase plane. He has over 30,000 hours of flying time.
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.
