Iron Eagle Aerobatics

NEWS

2010 AirShows Booked To Date Posted on The Schedule Page

Iron Eagles Aerobatic Team

Bill Gordon, lead pilot of the Iron Eagles team, joined Northeast air shows in the spring of 1993. After thousands of hours of practice with his wing-man, Billy Segalla, Bill has grown to be one of the industry's top formation pilots. Bill has done all of the modification to his and his partner's aircraft over the years and is very meticulous and a true craftsman. Bill is an A & P mechanic and an IA.

Billy Segalla, wing-pilot, has been flying air shows since 1976. His training began in 1965 flying from Rhinebeck Aerodrome in NY State with his father, Stanley Segalla, the renowned “Flying Farmer”. Billy and two partners started Northeast Air Shows in 1976. They flew a 3 plane formation routine all over the Northeast for 10 years. Billy has accumulated more than 10,000 hours of flight time and has flown over 800 shows to date

THE PLANES
The Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team fly two Super Christen Eagle I Aircraft. They are powered by highly modified engines producing 320 hp. The aircraft were originally equipped with 200 hp Lycoming engines and two seats. Over a three year period the aircraft were transformed from sport aerobatic aircraft to two of only four single-seat Eagles flying in the country today. The front seat was replaced with a 30-gallon Aerobatic fuel tank along with a 25-gallon auxiliary tank and a 11-gallon smoke tank, which can also be used to carry fuel for extended cross country flights. Cruising speed at 50% power is 200 mph.

ARCHIVES

GLENVILLE -- Under picture-perfect blue skies and gusty winds, the Northeast Flight 2005 Air Show wowed the crowd Sunday, day two of its run at the Schenectady County Airport.

The Iron Eagles, in their colorful Super Christen Eagle I Aircraft, opened the show. They performed hair-raising stunts, coming so close that the spectators held their collective breath with each pass.

Bill Gordon and Billy Segalla performed twice, doing loops, turns and nose dives, creating contrails in the skies above the airport.

Despite the winds, Gordon said flying Sunday was easier than Saturday, which was cloudy and rainy.

'The air was bumpier yesterday,' Gordon said of Saturday's performance.

Iron Eagles To Fly at AirVenture

The Iron Eagle Aerobatic Team and their highly modified single-place Super Christen Eagle biplanes will perform at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2003. One of the closest formation teams flying today, pilots Bill Gordon and Billy Segalla perform the crossfire takeoff, switchblade hammerhead, and close head-on maneuvers just feet apart. The pair has been flying as a team since 1992 and possess a combined 37 years of experience in air show performing.

"Look for pilots Bill Segalla and Bill Gordon as they perform aerobatic routines in custom-built aircraft. After three years of work, these men transformed two sport-aerobatic airfrafts into single-seat Super Christen Eagle I Biplans. The men replaced the front seat with 30-gallon aerobatic fuel tanks and 25-gallon auxiliary containers to extend range and flying time. With these changes, the cruising speed of these special aircrafts at half power is 200 mph. Only four of these planes are flying in the country today." -Syracuse.com

"A dynamic team the flies challenging and close formations at a very fast pace. One of most exciting and dynamic flying teams on the airshow circuit today. From their crossfire takeoff to the switchblade hammerhead, their show will keep you on the edge of your seat. You won't believe their close maneuvers..." -CWI-FL.ORG

Written by Virginia Castle:

Hudson The Flag Day committee of Hudson Elks Lodge #787 and Columbia, the County that Cares festivities is pleased to announce that the IRON EAGLE AEROBATIC TEAM promises to thrill the crowds once again this year. Returning for the third time, the performance is one of the most breathtaking and dynamic on the airshow circuit today.

At 8:00PM, with Waterfront Park as the arena, the sky above the Hudson River becomes a stage as two men combine their piloting skills to perform the most challenging and thrilling aerobatic formation routines in the country.

It took three years to transform two sport aerobatic aircraft into single seat Super Christen Eagle I Biplanes. By replacing the front seat with a 30-gallon aerobatic fuel tank and a 25-gallon auxiliary container, the craft can fly over 3 hours and approximately 600 miles before needing fuel. The cruising speed at half power is 200 mph. Only four such planes are flying in the country today.

Increased horsepower and a redesigned configuration make the single seat Eagles more powerful, agile and louder than their original design magnifying excitement for the spectators below. The Crossfire Roll, Switchblade Hammerhead and Barber Pole Roll name just a few of the feats that astound observers. With permission to perform closer to the water than in previous years, the pilots low-flying skills will surely cause emotions to soar.

Bill Gordon, a father of two from nearby Copake, NY, pilots the lead #1 Aircraft, which he constructed himself in just one year. Wing #2 Aircraft is flown by Billy Segalla, a Canaan, CT resident who began performing in air shows at age 16. The early age is not surprising considering his dad, Stanley, famous for his Flying Farmer act at the Rhinebeck Aerodrome, began instructing Billy when he was only five.