Legendary airboss will take centre stage at Pacific Airshow Gold Coast

Wayne Boggs (Left) and Pacific Airshow CEO Kevin Elliott

Legendary American airboss Wayne Boggs will be in the hot seat when the first Pacific Airshow Gold Coast takes off over Surfers Paradise on 18-20 August 2023.

A veteran of hundreds of aviation sky shows, his prowess as ringmaster, choreographer, stage manager and general of the skies has seen him star in his own Netflix reality tv series and inspired aviators around the globe.

The new Gold Coast extravaganza is already a standout for Wayne who will be making his first trip to Australia since stopping in briefly as a young Marine on R&R from Vietnam back in the 1960s.

“It has always been my dream to come back to Australia and I finally have the chance so my wife Carolyn and I are planning a holiday to take in all the amazing sights,” he said.

“Pacific Airshow will be huge with elite military demonstrations and some very exciting civilian acts. It is a world class event.

“Airshows are good, wholesome and affordable family entertainment. You don’t have to be an aviation enthusiast to enjoy the atmosphere and watching people doing incredible stunts.

“It is also an opportunity for fans young and old to see the new technologies in action and to develop a real understanding and appreciation for the skill of people in the military.

“Although I boss about 23 airshows a year, adapting to the different regulations in Australia will be a challenge. It is a busy airspace and we want to make sure this event meets and exceeds Australia’s safety standards. 

“I love what I do and the people I work with. I am starting to wind back now in my twilight years but I have been working closely with some very talented people coming through and I know I will be leaving the industry in capable hands.”

Wayne will be supported at Pacific Airshow Gold Coast by Californian colleague Ray Shaw and Australia’s Chris Tibbetts.

For skydive pilot turned airboss Chris, a father of two from Lake Macquarie, the opportunity to work with his hero is a dream come true.

“Wayne is a legend on the airshow circuit and I am blown away to have the opportunity to work with him and learn from him,” Chris said.

“The Australian airshow scene is comparatively tiny alongside the US. We only have about 25 or 30 events a year and most happen in regional areas over an airport. 

“Pacific Airshow is special because it is a true destination event. The performance centreline is directly over Cavill Avenue in the heart of Surfers Paradise. The best way to get the full experience is to buy a ticket and be in the thick of things right on the beach. 

“Our job is to make the performance seamless and to ensure people can feel the rush and excitement without compromising safety. There are so many variables to manage like weather conditions, the capabilities of different aircraft, breakdowns, distances and flight speeds.

“We will be synchronising planes flying in from four different airports with pilots and aircraft that people rarely have an opportunity to see.

“Being an airboss, I’ve got the best seat in the house and I love putting on a good show.” 

More than 150,000 people are expected to descend on Surfers Paradise for the world class Pacific Airshow – one of the biggest events to come to the Gold Coast.

The airbosses will be responsible for choreographing a jaw-dropping program that includes elite military and civilian aviators from around the world, including Australia’s military top guns from Air Force, Navy and Army.

Pacific Airshow Gold Coast has been launched in Australia by Kevin Elliott and Code Four, founders of the famous Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach, in California. Named the United States Air Force’s best US airshow for three years, the massive event attracts more than four million spectators and generates millions of dollars in revenue from three days of adrenalin-thumping excitement, and a family festival of music, food and entertainment.

For information and tickets visit https://pacificairshow.com