Page 7 - Volume 17 Number 5

Teamliss Meridianbby LeRoy CookFuel burn, he says, is about the sameas it was for the Baron, but he just gets there quicker.Team TravelThe Meridian’s utilization averages 220-250 hours a year. That equates to a lot of miles, considering the airplane’s speed. Team Chambliss has enjoyed a 10-year relationship with Red Bull as its major sponsor, and that means frequent appearances at worldwideAn airshow performance involves a great deal of planning and support, not the least of which is getting performers, show planes, and ground support personnel to and from the event location. The business side of all the smoke and noise surrounding an aerobatic display in front of a crowd is similar to other traveling exhibits; all the pieces have to be in place, in a timely and affordable manner.When it comes to Kirby Chambliss and the Red Bull aerobatic demonstrations, the airplane that gets Chambliss to and from the location is a Piper Meridian turboprop. Prior to 2010, Team Chambliss used a FoxStar-converted Baron E55 as the company plane, but Kirby Chambliss, from his role as a Southwest Airlines captain and check airman, wasn’t satisfied to pound along in the weather at 12,000 feet, knowing that a bit more altitude capability would escape a lot of the ice and turbulence.A 2005 Piper Meridian was added to the team’s fleet in 2010, and Chambliss can’t say enough good things about it. When going to and from airshows, he now flies at FL260 or FL280. He misses having the airshow airplanes (usually flown by his re-positioning pilots) cruising along in formation with their speeds almost matching that of the Baron, but he’s gotten used to flying higher and faster in pressurized comfort.locations. Last December, the team flew to Lima, Peru, where Kirby performed at the Dakar Rally off- road race event. Not all airshows are at airports: The Red Bull Air Race World Series, of which Chambliss emerged as Champion in 2004 and 2006, were purposely staged away from airports for maximum crowd appeal. More than 400 million people have watched the Red Bull Races, Chambliss says. When a show is staged at a non-aviation venue,MAY 2013TWIN & TURBINE • 5The Meridian delivers a stable ride in posh comfort.