Air Show just one of many stops for Granley Fames pilot will show of stuff in Wetaskiwin and 13 other air shows throughout the summer
Monday July 21, 2008
In just under a week, the Wetaskiwin Air Show will take to the skies.
On July 26 and 27, visitors will be treated to numerous static displays, as well as some acrobatic feats from aerial performers, such as Bud Granley.
Flying has been a part of Bud’s life since he was nine years old. He and his brothers were outside playing, when they saw a Tiger Moth biplane glide to a landing on their uncle’s farm. They ran to see the airplane, and were amazed to find that the pilot was their father. He had secretly earned his pilot’s license. Bud and his two brothers were hooked on aviation after that.
Bud joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1956 after earning his wings with a Royal Canadian Air Cadet scholarship. He was awarded honour scrolls at both basic, and advanced flying schools. Bud flew the F-86 Sabre in Baden-Baden, Germany, and was a member of the Canadian gunnery team which won the NATO competition for three straight years.
Bud then instructed on the T-6 Harvard at Red Deer. He was selected to become the base solo demonstration pilot on the Harvard, thus starting his career as an airshow pilot.
Bud, along with his son, Ross, perform in a number of different aircraft, including the Harvard, a Yak-55, a Fouga, and a T-6.
This summer, Bud will appear in more than 13 airshows across North American including the Wetaskiwin Airshow.
Bud now lives in Bellevue, Washington. He flew for United Airlines until retiring in 1997. He has six children; three of whom served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Bud was recently awarded the 2008 Bill Barber Showmanship Award.
Publisher: Jim Clark Proprietor and published by Sun Media Corporation - A Quebecor Media Company at 5104 - 53 Avenue, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada T9A 2G5
