Aero-TV: More Speed, More Power -- Bob Carlton's Super Salto

A Glider That Goes... WHOOSH??? The 2008 ICAS Convention brought together a lot of diverse talent from all aspects of the airshow industry... but a few of those attending this year raised some eyebrows... like Bob Carlton. Bob began flying in 1979 at the age of 19. He has logged over 2000 hours in a wide variety of aircraft and holds a commercial pilot certificate. Bob's repertoire includes hang gliders, airplanes, helicopters, and sailplanes from hundreds of sites in the US, Canada, Mexico and Australia. More to the point of this story, Bob has flown airshows professionally since 1993. He hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico and is a member of SSA and ICAS. He began flying airshows in his Salto sailplane, and over the years has continued to update his routine with innovative performances such as barnstormin' biplane aerobatics, helicopter sailplane tow, night aerobatics with strobes & pyro and the world's only twin jet sailplane. His innovating ways continue with the recent addition of the Super Salto jet sailplane, with more power, more speed and more aerobatic capability than any other sailplane on the planet! Powered by the PBS TJ-100 jet engine, the highly modified Super Salto sailplane is the only sailplane on the airshow circuit capable of performing a low-level, jet-powered airshow performance. Utilizing its powerful jet engine, the Super Salto performs a high-speed aerobatic climb to altitude without a tow plane, followed by a spectacular exhibition of graceful sailplane aerobatics, choreographed to classical music, and featuring the world-famous Vertigo Airshows smoke. When the original altitude is spent, most sailplanes must land. But not the Super Salto! By simply spooling up the jet engine, the graceful sailplane is quickly transformed into a true low-level aerobatics machine. Accompanied by an ever-quickening musical score, the Super Salto cavorts at ground level with loops, rolls, hammerheads, spins and vertical penetration never dreamed of by a sailplane. When he is not performing at ...