Bethpage Federal Credit Union New York Air Show at Jones Beach

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Presented By

Hometown Heroes

Geico Skytypers

HH-60 Pave Hawk Rescue Helicopter Aircrew
HC-130 Rescue Aircrew
Pararescuemen

Bob Johansen, Pilot Slot
Bob Johansen, although semi-retired and currently living in Tierra Verde, Florida, spends his time flying with the GEICO Skytypers and has done so since 1977. An early interest in aviation led Bob to flying lessons at age 17 using 65 hp. Aeronca "Champs" out of a grass strip near his native Detroit. He earned his private pilot license in 1958 and flew as much as he could afford through college.

Subject to the military draft and unable to get a civilian job until his military obligation was satisfied, Bob decided to fly with the U.S. Navy for five years, gaining multiengine, instrument, and carrier experience.

In 1966 Bob moved on to airline flying with TWA for 33 years and is now a partner in Grumman Tiger. Bob recently stated that his favorite plane to fly is the SNJ/T6 because of the challenge and comfort level.

Jim Record, Pilot
Jim is a native NY'er born in Brooklyn and grew up in the Cradle of Aviation, Long Island. After becoming an Eagle Scout, he was bitten by the 'flying bug' and started lessons at Zahn's Airport with the CAP, later qualifying for his pilot licenses at Islip Mac Arthur Airport. Jim earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautics from Adelphi Suffolk University, later Dowling College. Recruited into United States Navy at Floyd Bennett Field.

Jim soon earned the coveted Wings of Gold of a Naval Aviator. He was in one of the last classes to carrier qualify in the venerable single seat Grumman F-9F 'Cougar", finishing up his naval career flying the A-4 'Skyhawk'. LCDR Record served as an IP in formation, gunnery, carrier landings and frequent long cross countries.

Jim began his love of flying radial engines courtesy of the Navy T-28 'Trojan' and S-2 'COD' . That affection continues today with the Skytyper SNJ's. After leaving the Navy, Jim flew corporate before joining the wonderful world of Airline flying. He flew the Douglas DC-9, Boeing 757, 747-400 and Airbus A-330 worldwide before recently retiring from a major airline. He now splits his flying time between WW1 fighters, antique biplanes and Skytyping.

Ken Johansen, Pilot Right Wing
Ken Johansen first flew with the Skytypers as an eight year old. He'd already caught the aviation bug from his father, Skytyping Instructor Pilot Bob Johansen, and this flight sealed his fate. Ken graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1989 and earned his Navy Wings in 1991.

He went on to fly P3's on both coasts with VP23 and VP46.His career took him to the Netherlands where he flew P3's with the Royal Netherlands Navy from 1996 to 1998. Ken left the active duty Navy and was hired by TWA where he flew MD80's, B757's and B767's, he was also hired by VR52 in Willow Grove Pennsylvania as a Navy Reserve Pilot flying DC9's around the world.

Ken enjoys flying Aeronca Champs, Citabrias and Stearmans out of a small grass strip in Northern Pennsylvania with his two sons.

Larry Arken, Commanding Officer / Flight Lead
Larry Arken resides in Hicksville, New York, and is a captain with American Airlines. He has been flying since he was a child sitting in the co-pilot seat behind his father, Mort. Larry, a New York native, has a bachelor's degree in marketing from Queens College as well as a bachelor's degree in business from Edison State University.

He began his career flying warbirds and corporate jets while growing up in New York. Flying Falcon 10's, 20's and 50's, he later flew DC-8's for UPS before flying with American.

The consummate aviator, he presently flies a P-47, F4U and P-51 for the Air Power Museum in Farmingdale, NY. Larry also holds a NATA designation as a formation check pilot. Larry recently stated that he would someday like to fly the Space Shuttle.

Rob Steo, Pilot Left Wing
Rob Steo resides in Monroe Township, New Jersey, and is a captain with American Airlines. A graduate of Manhattan College and a former Air Force jet pilot, Rob has seen the world a couple of times over, with more pilot hours logged than he cares to admit.

Rob flies with the GEICO Skytypers on the weekends to hang out with the guys, keep his skills sharp, and have more fun than most people dream. Rob is a Brooklyn native, loves skytyping over his old stomping grounds, and can still remember the "COPPERTONE" ad the Skytypers displayed over 30 years ago.

Rob recently stated that he would someday like to fly a F4U4 Corsair.

Steve Kapur, Pilot / Marketing Officer
Steve Kapur was born New York but now resides in Preston, Pennsylvania. He has been flying with the GEICO Skytypers for nearly a decade. Aside from his day job with GlaxoSmithKline, Steve’s passion is aviation. He has a commercial pilot's license and is a flight instructor.

A New Jersey native, Steve has a bachelor's degree in marketing from St. Norbert College and a master's degree in marketing from Marquette University. Steve is an accomplished marketing professional with over 20 years of success.

In addition to his sponsorship marketing and sales work for the GEICO Skytypers Flight Demo Team, Steve can be credited for his work in packaged goods air show marketing for Kraft Foods and GlaxoSmithKline. His aviation credentials include Com, CFI, NATA formation card, air show performer. Steve has association affiliations with AOPA, EAA, NATA, & Tailhook Assoc. Steve recently stated that he would some day like to fly an antique "Tiger Moth" biplane.

Steve Salmirs, Pilot Lead Solo
Steve Salmirs was born in Newport News, Virginia, and grew up with an interest in aviation. His father worked for NASA as an aeronautical engineer, and introduced Steve to flight in 1973.

After attending William and Mary College for two years, Steve transferred to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida to earn his degree while accumulating flight time and ratings. Graduating in 1980, he went to work at the Kennedy Space Center as a Calibration Engineer, flying charters and flight instructing on the side.

In 1982, Steve was accepted into the USAF where he earned his wings, flew F-16 fighters for five years, and instructed in T-37s for three more. Steve, who is presently a co-pilot on the B777 with American Airlines and resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, has flown with the GEICO Skytypers for over ten years, and is the NATA formation Lead Pilot and instructor, as well as the unofficial publications, standardization, and operations procedures writer. Steve recently stated that he would someday like to fly the Space Shuttle.

Tom Daly, Pilot Opposing Solo
Tom Daly was born and raised in Queens and now resides in Garden City, New York. After graduating from Floral Park High School he followed his dream to fly and entered Dowling College of Aeronautics in New York. Tom was in the first graduating class in 1971.

Before retiring in 2006, Tom spent 33 years as a service and rescue helicopter pilot for the Long Island Police Department. Tom now enjoys his time flying with the GEICO Skytypers as well as owning and operating Old Time Aviation Air Shows, Inc., in Garden City, New York.

Tom recently stated that he would someday like to fly a Fokker Tri-plane DR-1 and a British Sopwith.

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HH-60 Pave Hawk Rescue Helicopter Aircrew: