GEICO SKYTYPERS PERFORMING IN THE SKIES OVER QUONSET POINT

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Performance team features custom messages, precision flying in World War II-vintage planes


Providence, Rhode Island (June 11, 2012) – The GEICO Skytypers are scheduled to perform June 16-17 at the Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show at Quonset State Airport.

The team “types” messages at 10,000 feet with puffs of smoke in dot matrix-style letters.The GEICO Skytypers use six of the remaining 11 North American SNJ-2 planes left in the world to write messages at an altitude of 10,000 feet.  Each World War II-era plane has been restored and equipped and with a computer that coordinates the smoke puffs from the aircraft.

“The contrast between the advanced technology to produce the messages paired with 1940s vintage aircraft is truly unique,” said Steve Kapur, GEICO Skytypers marketing officer and pilot.  “We consider it a privilege to fly these warbirds on behalf of GEICO at air shows all across the U.S.” said Kapur, who has been flying with the team for more than a decade.

Maneuvering the antique aircraft requires great skill and expertise. Most of the GEICO Skytypers pilots earned their wings in the military and several currently fly for commercial airlines.

During skytyping missions the pilots fly 250 feet apart in a wide “line-abreast” formation. When aligned, the smoke puffs form letters as tall as the Empire State Building. Skytyping is 17 times faster than skywriting because each pilot can create a letter every four seconds. Entire messages can be as large as 6 to 8 miles wide. Messages are visible for 15 miles in each direction on a clear day.

In addition to skytyping, the team also performs a low-altitude, precision-formation flying routine combined with a thrilling aeronautical demonstration. The six aircraft fill the sky and come from all directions, providing spectators a unique viewing experience.

Rhode Island National Guard Open House and Air Show Schedule of Events

9 a.m. Gates Open, 10 a.m. Air Show Saturday, June 16, open to the public
9 a.m. Gates Open, 10 a.m. Air Show Sunday, June 17, open to the public

Free Admission, $10 voluntary donation to support Hasbro Children’s Hospital


For more information, visit www.riairshow.org

For more information about the GEICO Skytypers visit www.geicoskytypers.com


About the GEICO Skytypers
The GEICO Skytypers are the only flying unit in the world that performs at air shows typing their messages in the sky. For more information on the GEICO Skytypers, visit geicoskytypers.com. They can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. To request more information or a 2012 Electronic Press Kit, please write or call the contact listed below.

About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the United States. GEICO handles auto insurance coverage for over 11 million private passenger auto policies and insures more than 17 million vehicles.
In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for life, boats, homes and apartments is available through the GEICO Insurance Agency. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available.
As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to http://www.geico.com.