About Us

Loud & Clear, Rain or Shine

Air show sound requirements have changed over the years and CASP has provided new solutions to meet the industry’s needs time and again. CASP Owner Dave Olmstead continues to work with the engineers at Biamp's Community Professional Loudspeaker to develop and maintain the most efficient front line all weather sound system.

The heart of the Big Rig system is comprised of 36 Biamp's Community R.5HPT speakers. The three-way R.5HPT is a full range system that delivers the audio quality and voice intelligibility of a true concert system. These same speakers are in use at the legendary Talladega Superspeedway, the former California Speedway (which became Auto Club Speedway in 2008), Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, and countless other venues. “The R.5HP is the distillation of over forty years of thoroughly dedicated Community Professional Loudspeakers research into perfecting the most rugged, compact, easy-to-mount, music and speech responsive, weather resistant loudspeaker on the planet,” said John Wiggins, Vice President, Biamp's Community Professional Loudspeakers.

“The R.5 HP’s 3 way design and horn loading of all components yields excellent musicality and speech intelligibility in high ambient sound level environments, which is why they are ideal for Continental Air Show Production’s requirements.” Noted Dave Howden, Director of Technical Services at Biamp's Community Professional Loudspeakers.

The system hangs pairs of speakers 13’ off the ground in front of the crowd. “The amazing thing is that each speaker’s box is only 16” x 16” so site lines are not disrupted by stacks of big speakers,” said Olmstead. “The air show audience wants to hear that concert quality sound, but the challenge has been balancing weatherization, size/weight, and sound quality. These new speakers are going to set the bar for providing professional air show sound, rain or shine.” Olmstead stated.

In addition to the one mile of show line sound system coverage, CASP was the first in the industry to utilize three microwave transmission systems to connect additional speakers to extend the sound elsewhere on the air show grounds.

CASP, which was founded by airshow industry pioneer Bill Bordeleau in 1969, wrapped up its 50^th successful airshow season in 2019 under the leadership of then Operations Director Dave Olmstead.  Guided by Bill’s vision, leadership, and personal engagement, CASP has continuously evolved over the decades effectively servicing the airshow industry.  Since Bill’s passing in early 2017, Bill’s wife, Dar, proudly maintained the family engagement with the business through the end of the 50th Anniversary Season when she sold CASP to current owner Dave Olmstead.

After 50 rewarding years, Dar is pleased the CASP legacy will continue under the leadership of Dave Olmstead.  Dave had been working as the CASP Operations Director for nearly 15 years at that point, handling the scheduling, equipment acquisition, and serving as primary point of contact for the busy schedule of airshows.  Olmstead’s professional background includes producing events, videos, marketing materials, along with radio and television production.  In addition, he served in the U.S. Army and Ohio Army National Guard for almost 20 years.