Nathan Hammond – Ghostwriter Airshows

Nathan hails from Rhinebeck, New York, where his fascination with aviation and career path in aerospace were ignited by the aircraft and airshows of Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. At just 16, he soloed his first plane, and by 17, he had obtained his pilot’s license. With over 8,000 flight hours under his belt, Nathan has piloted everything from 1917 Curtiss Jenny’s to Cessna Citations.

His journey with airshows began in 1998 when he started flying the DeHaviland Chipmunk, now known as the GhostWriter. He swiftly mastered the intricacies of skywriting and airshow performances. Today, Nathan commands the GhostWriter in both daytime and nighttime airshows across North America and continues to leave his mark in skywriting.

THE SUPER CHIPMUNK

Originally designed as a trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, this 1956 deHavilland Chipmunk has been specially modified for air show aerobatics and skywriting. Nearly 3,000 man-hours over a two year period were spent on developing the GhostWriter into the finest example of a Super Chipmunk. It now boasts a cruising speed of 150mph, and a range of more than 500 miles. It will climb at a rate of 2,500 feet per minute, with a ceiling of 17,500 feet.

If you recognize the airplane, that’s no surprise. GhostWriter developed a well established career in the air show and skywriting industry as the Pepsi SkyDancer for 25 years. In 2016, Nathan K. Hammond took the controls and has been captivating audiences with the smooth lines and raw horsepower of the unparalleled Super Chipmunk ever since.