Black Diamond jet team coming to Rome, Ga., air show

Thursday, April 18, 2013

photo Black Diamond Jet Demonstration Team

The Black Diamond Jet Demonstration Team, one of the world's only non-military jet demonstration teams, will headline the 2013 Wings Over North Georgia air show here, according to a news release.

Government funding cuts have grounded the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds squads. The Black Diamond team's inaugural season was in 2011

The four-ship L-39 aerobatic jet team, based in Lakeland, Fla., consists of experienced air show pilots and former members of military jet teams. Jerry "Jive" Kirby is the flight leader and Dale "Snort" Snodgrass is the lead solo pilot.

The Wings Over North Georgia air show will be Oct. 12-13 at Rome's Richard B. Russell Regional Airport.