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Starfighters are the only fully operational, civilian owned Supersonic Jet Team on the U.S. Airshow Circuit. Rick Svetkoff began his search for an F-104 Starfighter in the fall of 1988. Talks of F-104s being shipped to the U.S. gave him hope, however, it was not until early 1995 that he purchased his first F-104. In 1997, in its first season, Starfighters took the air show industry by storm with participation in twelve of the largest airshow events in the country. Currently, Starfighters has two aircraft in operation and a third almost ready to fly. In just two short years and 30 successful airshows, Starfighters is quickly becoming the most sought after air performance team on the air show circuit. The Starfighters Team is currently operating two F-104 Starfighters, one CF-104D and one CF-104.
The Pilots
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Rick
"Comrade" Svetkoff - Pilot Rick's career in aviation began
in 1971 flying aircharter, corporate and commuter flights. 1978 found
him opening new doors and flying A-4s, carrier based attack fighters,
for the United States Navy. After leaving the Navy in 1984, Rick joined
Continental Airlines where he has flown as the captain of the MD-80 for
the past 13 years. Rick adds to his 26 year, 17,500 hour flying career
with his participation in the air show industry. For the past three years
he has been a part of the air show circuit and has cultivated his dream
of assembling an F-104 team. Rick is the owner and lead pilot for the
Starfighters' F-104 team.
Tom
"Sharkbait" Delashaw - Pilot Tom's illustrious career as a
fighter pilot began more than forty years ago. One of only two active
F-104 pilots to graduate from the United States Air Force's Fighter Weapons
School, also known as the USAF's "Top Gun", he served as a special projects
pilot and flew a variety of high speed, classified performance projects.
Tom set the unit speed record of 1,600 mph and the altitude record of
92,000 feet, in the F-104. His nickname, "Sharkbait", is derived from
the call sign of his F-4 squadron in Southeast Asia. His decorations include
the Distinguished Flying Cross and air medals with clusters for combat.
Air combat or "dogfighting" has become one of Tom's favorite pastimes.
He is a designated formation instructor for the Civilian Warbird community
and an air combat instructor at Texas Air Aces in Houston, Texas. Tom
has become a valued part of the Starfighters' F-104 Team.
Kurt
Backman - Crew Chief Kurt's career in aviation began in 1986
serving in the United States Air Force. Duties included being an engine
mechanic and crew chief for such aircraft as the F-4 Phantom and F-16
Falcon. Kurt is a veteran of Desert Storm and former crew member of the
Air Force Thunderbirds. In 1996 Kurt went to work for Lockheed Martin
until April 1998, when he became a valuable member of the Starfighters'
Team.
