The Hoppers are a group of private individuals who donate their time and
money, exhibiting Jet Warbirds.
Our Mission
"Educate the general public, inspire kids to work hard in school
and aim high in life, have fun."
It is important to acknowledge the human sacrifice and the technical
achievement by mankind that has occurred in order for a group like ours
to exist. The task we are entrusted with is demonstrating these airplanes
that come from countries, formally at odds with the United States. It is
important for people to remember and for young kids to learn, so that history
does not repeat itself. We have made friends with many people from former
Communist countries and it is not uncommon for a Hopper to be on his cell
phone with someone from Czechoslovakia or Russia on their cell phone,
ordering a part or solving a technical issue. Hack was trained by a
former Russian instructor pilot who now lives in the United States. Mildred,
Grasshopper, Skids and Snowflake were trained by a former USAF instructor pilot.
We have been fortunate through these jets to interact with many people from
the Unites States military and ask that you join us in tribute to all of
the men and women who serve our country.
The key to our mission is interacting with the kids at airshows. The Hoppers
have been blessed through hard work and a little luck to be in a position to
fly these planes and as Snowflake said (on the National Geographic special
"Tycoon Toys, Fighter Jets," which features the Hoppers), "We are very mindful
of it."
When a kid comes up to us at an airshow with their eyes lit up because they
are close to a jet, we love it. Our goal is for kids to gain an appreciation
of what these jets are all about and to walk away thinking "I could do that too.
All I have to do is work hard in school and think BIG!"
Needless to say, interacting with kids and flying these jets is one of the
most fun things we do. As Mildred says, "I enjoy demonstrating the L-39 flight
capabilities and formation/aerobatic maneuvering as a flight team. But. . . my
greatest pleasure is meeting kids everywhere, who share a fascination for jet
airplanes." If you see us at an airshow, please be sure to stop by and say hello.
