Next Up Wings Over Meridian  ·  March 27–29  ·  NAS Meridian, MS

Big Papa Airshows

Retired Marine Corps F/A-18 Pilot United States Marine Corps emblem

2026 Schedule Book Big Papa
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Built for the crowd line

High-energy loops, rolls, and gyroscopic tumbles low over the show box — a routine paced to keep eyes on the sky from wheels-up to the crowd wave.

Fighter-pilot pedigree

Retired USMC F/A-18 pilot with 4,000+ hours in tactical jets and General Aviation — now a full-time T-45C simulator instructor training Navy and Marine student aviators.

An ambassador for aviation

Big Papa works the flight line, mentors future pilots, and cheers on every performer — the teammate promoters book again and again.

Ben “Big Papa” Ausbrooks in the cockpit
Ben “Big Papa” Ausbrooks

Meet Big Papa

From the Hornet to the biplane.

Ben “Big Papa” Ausbrooks is a retired United States Marine Corps F/A-18 fighter pilot who now shares the thrill of aerobatic flight with airshow crowds across the country. With over 4,000 combined hours in tactical jets, training aircraft, and General Aviation, his passion for flying now comes to life in his 1999 Steen Super Skybolt.

His routine highlights the basic, intermediate, and advanced capabilities of an airplane that even a low-time private pilot can learn to fly — and buy for less than the price of a new car. Between airshow performances, Big Papa mentors kids and adults chasing aviation, and works the crowd line cheering on every performer. Off the road he's a full-time T-45C Goshawk simulator instructor, teaching advanced jet training to U.S. Navy and Marine Corps student aviators.

USMCF/A-18 veteran
T-45CSimulator instructor
5Combat Air Medals

The Mount

Steen Super Skybolt

The classic biplane look with modern design — a fully aerobatic airframe capable of +6g/−4g and gyroscopic maneuvers, wearing Big Papa's red, white, and blue.

Powerplant 6-cylinder · 300+ hp Lycoming IO-540
Propeller Hartzell 3-Blade Composite aerobatic
Airframe +6g / −4g Gyroscopic capable
Model Year 1999 Steen Super Skybolt

On the road

2026 Airshow Schedule

Seven stops across the Mid-South and beyond. Dates subject to change — check back for updates.

  1. Mar27–29

    Wings Over Meridian

    NAS Meridian · Meridian, MS

    Home state show
  2. May1–3

    Red White & Blue Airshow

    Monroe, LA

  3. May17

    All Aboard Car & Airshow

    Paragould, AR

  4. Jun12–13

    Rockin on the Runway

    Sunset, LA

  5. Jun27

    Texarkana Airshow

    Texarkana, AR

  6. Sep27

    Thunder Over Fayette County

    Somerville, TN

  7. Oct3–4

    North Little Rock Airshow

    North Little Rock, AR

Want Big Papa at your event? Get in touch — the 2026 and 2027 calendars still have room.

Booking

Bring Big Papa to your airfield.

Airshows, fly-ins, and community events — Big Papa brings an exciting, family-friendly aerobatic routine, a professional attitude, and an aircraft that gets young people asking, “how do I do that?”

  • Basic, intermediate & advanced aerobatics tailored to your show
  • Crowd interaction, kid mentorship & static display time
  • Easy to work with — on time, prepared, and professional
Email Big Papa

Contact

Home Base
Key Field (KMEI)
Meridian, Mississippi
Visits
Appointment only
Weekdays & Saturdays

Thank you for your interest in Big Papa Aviation!