Dacy finds career in air interest

0 Comments | La Crosse Tribune, Jun 23, 2003 | by Grooms, Autumn

While growing up near an airport in northern Illinois, Phil Dacy became interested in airplanes.

Pilots from aerobatics teams would come to the nearby airport for practice sessions and Phil along with his siblings, Dave and Susan, would watch in amazement.

"As a kid, they were all my heroes," he said.

Little did Phil Dacy know that his future career would let him inside the circle to become close to those who were once his heroes.

In the early 1970s, the Dacy brothers were old enough to put together enough money to buy two planes - a Stearman and a Bucker - and everything began to fall into place.

By the mid-1980s, Dave Dacy Airshows had been created, Phil Dacy began announcing, and the rest is history.

Since the Deke Slayton Airfest began six years ago, Dacy has been here, his voice heard by the thousands in attendance each year.

Full of energy and enthusiasm, he takes audience members through performers' acts and even adds a bit of history. Announcing about 20 shows annually, Dacy adds excitement and keeps his shows fresh by ad-libbing portions.

"I try to keep everything spontaneous," he said. "It has worked well for a long time. If I'm excited, the crowd seems to get that way, too.

"It's fun to watch the crowd get into aviation. I see air shows every week, but the people here might only see one a year or maybe it's their first time," he said.

Dacy, sponsored at Airfest by First Federal, begins his day at the festival by reporting to the airport at 9 a.m. for a FAA briefing, which lasts about 30 minutes.

During the briefing, the previous day's show is reviewed and a rundown of the day's show is done.

After a final briefing with any pilots who have special needs, Dacy is ready to begin announcing.

"I start talking about what is happening, what is open," he said. This can range from ongoing helicopter rides to the food tents and vendor booths to warm day safety tips.

Once the show begins, it is Dacy's job to let people know there is something fun going on.

"I announce the different acts as they are happening," he said. "I like to include how high, how fast, what it feels like inside, what the pilot is doing in the cockpit."