The countdown to Duluth's Air Show is underway...
Dozens of planes are scheduled to soar through Duluth's skies this weekend including one piloted by Duluth native and member of the 1-48th Fighter Wing Major John Klatt.

LeAnn Wallace hoped on board...to get a first-hand look at Major Klatt's life in the clouds.

Flips...Loops...Dives and Spins...are all part of Major Klatt's sky-high routine as one of America's top aerobatic pilots.

Major Klatt pilots the Staudacher S-300D, a world-class aerobatic aircraft, built for high performance, unlimited aerobatics, and reaches speeds of 250-miles-per-hour.

Which I learned equals one wild ride.

When Major Klatt isn't wowing audiences with his high-energy and gravity-defying air show, he flies an F-16 "Fighting Falcon" with the 148th fighter wing of the Duluth National Guard.

And that's just his day job.

Major Klatt's office is his plane and credits the Air National Guard for his in flight skills.

"They give you all the skills for whatever career field you're going to want to be, whether it be a doctor or lawyer, in my case a pilot, so I wouldn't be here flying without the skills I acquired through my training with the air national guard."

The Air National Guard will have a variety of things to do aside from watching the show.

"We'll have fun things for the family to do with the simulators here and along with that we'll have 3-recruiters on staff at all times to answer any particular questions they may have concerning membership with the Air National Guard."

You'd think the most exciting part of the Air Show would be the pulse pounding and heart stopping aerobatic maneuvers...but for Major Klatt it's something different.

"The most exciting part for me, is when that young kid comes up and says you know, I want to do what you do, I want to be apart of the Guard, that's encouraging for me to say you know I'm getting to make a difference and touch that one life this weekend is pretty special for me."

A small plane with the potential to make a big difference.

"Weighing in at just 1,250 pounds...this plane is guaranteed to show you some amazing tricks at the Duluth Air Show this weekend. In Duluth, LeAnn Wallace, the Northlands News Center."

The 1-48th Fighter Wing will also fly some of their F-16's for the show.
The Duluth Air Show is scheduled to hit the skies this Saturday and Sunday.