Warbirds over Wanaka - New Commentary Team

10th July 2015

Warbirds over Wanaka - New Commentary Team

Warbird pilot and former TVNZ weatherman Jim Hickey can’t wait to get back behind the microphone at next year’s Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. Jim has been named to lead the Bose Commentary Team alongside Grant Stewart and Craig ‘Ferg’ Ferguson.

Jim first attended the iconic Wanaka event in 1996. Two years later he joined the commentary team and stayed in that role until 2012. After taking a break in 2014 he’s back on board for next year.

“I’m very excited about being involved with Warbirds Over Wanaka once again. It’s one of the great Warbirds airshows in the world and being part of the commentary team is an honour for me. I believe the role of the commentary team is to complement what’s happening in the sky. An airshow is all about the aircraft and the pilots and our job is to relate the history and stories around these magnificent men and their flying machines.”

Jim is also looking forward to teaming up again with his fellow commentators Grant and Ferg.

Grant is a Queenstown-based pilot who has been involved with Warbirds Over Wanaka for many years while Ferg is a popular local broadcaster and supporter of the event.

Jim and Grant will anchor the commentary with ‘Ferg’ out and about in the crowd interviewing some of the colourful and interesting people who attend the airshow. Guest commentators will also be called on to give expert analysis of what’s happening.

“The commentary is a very important part of any airshow” says Ed Taylor, General Manager of Warbirds Over Wanaka. “It’s critical we get the right balance between educating and entertaining the crowd and I think we have it just right with the line-up for 2016. We have been blessed with some fine commentators over the years and I’m sure these guys will continue that great tradition.”

“We are also very grateful to have Bose onboard as a sponsor of our commentary team.

Bose is one of the world’s great audio companies and have been at the last few airshows displaying their range of aviation headsets.”

“They have been keen to take that involvement to another level with their sponsorship of the commentary team. Warbirds Over Wanaka wouldn’t be the hugely successful event it is without the support of companies like Bose,” says Ed.

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