10/27/2026
Meet Jerry “VLAD” Conley he is the highest-time Vampire pilot currently flying, with over 1,100 hours in the type. He has performed airshows for over 20 years.
“Vlad” will be flying the de Havilland Vampire “Vampy 5” affectionately known in the Jet Racing Community as “Dark Shadow”.
The aircraft has appeared at airshows and competed multiple times in the National Championship Air Races.
It raced as Race 11 flown by Jerry “Jive” Kerby, who qualified at over 513 mph in 2019 as a rookie—one of only a handful of pilots in race history to break 500 mph.
It also previously raced as Race 44 flown by Zach McNeill.
When and where?
Safford Airshow
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Safford Regional Airport (1LT Duane Spalsbury Field)
4570 E Aviation Way, Safford, AZ
Gates open at 9 a.m.
Airshow begins at Noon
fly Jive fly Lunar Sawyer WIlliam John Hamilton Jr. Sharon Moravec Gracia Racing Jets Inc National Championship Air Races Craig Johnson T.J. Hamilton Katie Hamiel Flap Black R***e Coffee Company Bucked Up®️ Forgotten Warbirds