Chris Zonio

Christopher Zonio loved aviation since his parents took him to the Broome County airport to watch the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels perform in the early 1970's. Following pursuit of aviation, he was building and flying radio-controlled aircraft of all types and sizes at the age of 12. Later in life at age 22, Chris first soloed in a Cessna 150 out of the Lantana airport in West Palm Beach Florida. Hooked ever since, Chris went on to earn his Degrees and Pilot ratings (Instrument/Commercial pilot) from Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach Florida.  Currently Chris is a Flight Test engineer at Lockheed Martin with one of his credits was supporting the Deployment of the Unmanned K-Max helicopter. Chris was one of the test engineers and the original flight instructor for the program. In 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan to help the Marine Corps get the program going. The unmanned K-Max helicopter’s mission was to move cargo between combat outposts, thus replacing convoys and removing the danger for the Marines. The program lasted 3 years and was very successful saving hundreds of lives.

Chris will be flying his 1/5 scale F-16C in Thunderbird colors at the Binghamton Airport. This Radio-Controlled Jet has a 50-pound thrust turbine, scale retractable gear, speed brakes, scale lights, smoke system, and working canopy. Learn More.