Jet Bus to perform at 2011 Gulf Coast Salute

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall Air Force Base is scheduled to host the 2011 Gulf Coast Salute Open House and Air Show March 26 and 27.

Among the list of performers is Paul Stender, who will drive a 42, 000 horsepower General Electric J-79 Jet Engine School Bus. The engine of the bus was taken directly from an F-4 Phantom fighter.

The bus, which spouts a flame of up to 75 feet, is the largest jet-powered land vehicle in the world.

"I have been building and performing with jet-powered vehicles for 15 years," said Mr. Stender. "I got started in this business when I went to a drag strip in Wisconsin to drag race a snowmobile and met a guy with a jet car. Since I had already had three concussions at that point, from a sprint car racing career, I was ready for a change. I purchased my first jet car, the Jazz Jet Funny Car, soon after."

Mr. Stender performs around 30 shows a year, including air shows, drag races, TV shows, Monster Truck Shows and race track appearances.

"Some of our favorite places are the warmer locations, being as we are located in the Midwest," Mr. Steneder said. "Also, I enjoy my home state of Wisconsin and the Northwest."

During the peak of the performances, the jet bus travels at upward of 350 miles per hour.
"The highlight of the performance, for me, is the speed and pure excitement of making a run," said Mr. Stender. "When you combine the pure rush of going fast with the enjoyment that people have watching it happen, it makes for a good day."

Mr. Stender also enjoys interacting with his audience.

"I like to talk to new people," Mr. Stender said. "We have a never-ending opportunity to meet and make new friends all over the country. It's also great that we get to meet so many active duty military, veterans and their families all over the country and say 'thank you.'"

The Jet Bus is not the only vehicle Mr. Stender performs with.

"This year we have the Jet-Powered Outhouse and a 1967 Jet Impala we call the 'Urban Legend,'" said Mr. Stender. "It has a Nuclear Cruise Missile Engine mounted on top. We are also looking into adding new vehicles. We are building a new jet semi, a vintage jet dragster, and a really odd, experimental military jet vehicle."

While on the road, Mr. Stender, travels with his fiancé and crew chief, Ms. Therese Waechter and their two Great Danes, Saber and Atlas.

"My favorite part is the travel and adventure," said Ms. Waechter. "Getting to work with Paul and the dogs is an adventure in itself; Paul always has something to go explore, and takes the funniest detours on the way from shows. I have been inside missile silo tours, stopped at every taco stand in the Southwest, airplane graveyards, nuclear museums, all up and down route 66, and on and on. The Paul Stender American Tour!"

Ms. Waechter also has the opportunity to appreciate the things that Mr. Stender doesn't get to see.

"Watching and listening to the crowd, the first time the Jet School Bus throws out a monster flame, is amazing," Ms. Waechter said. "Paul never gets to experience it, because he is inside the bus and can't hear it over the engine noise, but I have a prime seat in the front row. I take off my headset and take it all in, its classic."

To learn more, visit http://www.indyboysinc.com/.