top flying acts take to the air.

The arrival of sky divers, display teams and other attractions is part of the American Bermudian Friendship Festival at the US Naval Air Station.

Attractions include Team America, the Miller Lite Skydiving Team, the Canadian Sky Hawks, Captain Midnight, Al Pietsch's Airshow and an appearance of Freedom, the world's smallest jet.

Team America was voted Airshow Team of the Year in 1988 and 1990 for their performances in Siai Marchette F260 trainer and light attack plane. They have appeared more than 500 times across North America, Nova Scotia and Puerto Rico.

Their routine includes 50 manoeuvres with speeds of up to 300 mph, while music is choreographed to the show.

Leaping from the sky will be the world famous "Six Pack In The Sky,'' the Miller Lite Sky Diving Team.

Team leader, Mr. Arch Deal, a veteran TV news anchorman for more than 20 years, provides a colourful description of the team's tumble-by-tumble activities.

Also coming down to earth with a flutter are the Sky Hawks, the Canadian Forces parachute team.

Formed in 1969 the team won the silver medal at the world championships just a year later. They have 12 jumpers who leap from around 10,500 feet.

Captain Midnight will fly into the show in his T33 Thunderbird, which was used by the US Air Force during the Korean War.

The Captain is Mr. Ray Maybrey who was an instructor pilot in B25 Mitchell bombers before starting his own business in 1969.

Pietsch Air Shows is a family concern. Mr. Alfred Pietsch and his sons, Warren and Kent, will be showing why their shows have gained such an excellent reputation over the years.

Mr. Pietsch flies the oldest Pitts Special in the world, having built it himself in the winter of 1966-67 and Warren is in a 1946 clipped wing Taylorcraft. Only 12 feet long and less than four feet high, the USPA and IRA Freedom is the smallest, man-carrying jet in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records.

Pilot Bob Bishop can take the Freedom up to speeds of 350 mph at altitudes of 27,000 feet. In 1975 the jet was used to test the effectiveness of the cruise missile in evading Russian radar.

The Festival takes place at the naval air station next Saturday and Sunday with the gates opening at 9 a.m. on both days.

There will be musical performances, and food, beverages and souvenirs will be on sale.