The Team - Warbird Thunder Airshows

Chris "CT" Thomas - Lead Pilot

Chris Thomas is a third-generation pilot and earned his pilot’s license at the age of 17 with his father as his flight instructor. He has logged over 21,000 hours of flight time in more than 120 types of aircraft. When not flying airshows, Chris is a Captain and Line Check Airman for a major airline. A graduate of Norfolk State University, Chris spent the 1990s as a professional firefighter for the Virginia Beach Fire Department. Concurrently, he earned his aviation ratings and worked a multitude of aviation jobs. Chris left the VBFD in 1998 and became an airline pilot. An avowed aviation buff, he pursued competitive aerobatics. formation flying and has participated in numerous events on the east coast. He also specialized in Upset Prevention & Recovery Training with the only Part 141 UPRT provider in the United States, educating select clients.

Chris spent seven years with the GEICO Skytyper Airshow Team and served as the team’s Operations Officer. Chris was the Right-Wing Pilot in the #2 position and an alternate #4 Slot Pilot.

When not flying, Chris can be found riding motorcycles, playing guitar, or traveling. He resides in Virginia Beach, VA with his wife and has two adult daughters

Mike "Buick" Eberhardt - Wingman

Growing up in New Hampshire, Mike got his start in aviation at 14 years old as a sailplane pilot. While attending Daniel Webster College he was already working as a flight instructor in both sailplanes and powered aircraft.

After college, Mike served as a Naval Aviator for 22 years flying both the F-14 Tomcat and A-4 Skyhawk. In addition to accumulating over 6000 hours experience he flew over 100 hours of combat in support of Operation Desert Shield. Upon retiring. he continued working in aviation as a professional adversary pilot ,training the next generation of fighter pilots. Currently, he is a 747 Captain and for a large world-wide cargo airline and has 20,000+ hours of flight experience in a wide variety of aircraft.

Mike brings extensive airshow experience to Warbird Thunder Airshows as former member of the Heavy Metal Jet Team (L-39), the Black Diamond Jet Team (L-39 & Mig-17), as civilian A-4 Skyhawk demonstration pilot and a 15-year member of the GEICO Skytyper Airshow Team.

Mike is a father of two and a proud grandfather. He resides in Miami, FL with his wife Nikki.

Chris “Soto” Orr – Wingman

Chris Orr developed a love for aviation attending air shows as a boy. He dreamed of flying for the military and followed a unique pathway to attain that dream. His desire to serve in the military led him to enlist in the Army Reserves as an infantryman at age 17. He left the Army three years later when he was awarded a Naval ROTC scholarship at the University of Colorado. Upon graduation, Chris was accepted to Navy Flight School in Pensacola, FL.   

After earning his wings, Chris was selected to fly the F-14 Tomcat, completing two tours aboard the USS Constellation, 35 combat missions over Iraq, 300 carrier arrested landings and two Top Ten Hook awards for achieving some of the highest landing grades in his carrier air wing. He later flew the A-4 Skyhawk as an aggressor pilot/instructor.

After the Navy, Chris flew the C-130 Hercules for the New York Air National Guard. He completed two more combat tours and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the military with 25 years of service. Chris was also a long-time member of the GEICO Skytyper Airshow Team serving as both a Lead Solo and Wingman. Today, Chris is a Captain at a major airline and lives on Long Island with his wife and two children.

Paul Gleaton – Airshow Maintenance & Ground Support

Paul Gleaton provides Warbird Thunder’s airshow maintenance & ground support. Paul is a FAA certificated airframe & powerplant mechanic and also a private pilot. He spent over 30 years as a professional firefighter and paramedic and retired as a Captain with the Virginia Beach Fire Departmnet. Paul was also member of Virginia FEMA Task Force 2 responding to National Disasters as an expert rescuer in building collapse, confined space and high angle rescue.

Paul lives in Virginia Beach, VA. He is an avid outdoorsman and adventurer and can be found spending time with his two young grandsons.