Air Force Reserve fighter pilot protecting nation, 'living the dream' Published Nov. 19, 2010 By Master Sgt. Kevin Gruenwald Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Air Force Reserve F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Ed Hamill truly has the best of both worlds. A traditional reservist and F-16 instructor pilot, Colonel Hamill is a member of the 301st Fighter Squadron, but flies with the active duty 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. When he's not flying his fly-by-wire Fighting Falcon, he travels from coast-to-coast inspiring the young and young at heart with his acrobatic biplane. The part-time fighter pilot and full-time air show crowd pleaser danced his biplane through the November skies with the famous Las Vegas strip providing the background during Aviation Nation 2010--the Nellis Air Force Base Open House and annual Las Vegas air show Nov. 13-14. Since becoming an air show pilot, Colonel Hamill has performed his "Living the Dream" show 400 times in front of more than 43 million spectators. The show takes viewers on a tour of the last 100 years of flight with professionally choreographed music and narration. The journey begins with a tribute to the first flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C., and finishes with a unique sky dancing performance. The aircraft is a single-engine biplane patterned after one built by legendary designer Curtis Pitts 50 years ago. It is 6 1/2 feet tall, shorter than many NBA stars, yet it can loop, spiral and dive at speeds up to 212 miles per hour. Parked on the runway, the biplane looks amazingly small. Yet in the open sky, this sleek aircraft bonds with air show fans as it visually guides them through the history of air show flight. "There is no comparison between flying an F-16 and the biplane," Colonel Hamill said. "The jet is virtually controlled by the on-board computer, leaving the pilot free to focus on the weapon systems and target acquisition. The biplane is totally under my control. It's pure stick and rudder." As a member of the Air Force Reserve, he recently returned from a four-month deployment, missing a large portion of the 2010 air show season. "I can contribute to the security of my country, yet I have the time to pursue my full-time career as an aerobatic pilot," he said. "To fly an F-16 and then, hours later, fly my biplane is my dream come true." Colonel Hamill's message is pure and to the point. "I honestly believe you can reach any goals you want in life, and I'm living proof that if you work hard, anything is attainable," he said. "I constantly tell kids to set goals, work hard, and never give up. The biplane is the vehicle through which I can deliver my message."
