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Led by Paul Bennet, one of Australia’s premier performers, the team will demonstrate the skills – and all the thrills – of aerobatic flying at the Maitland Aerodrome in Rutherford.

The displays will include warbird flights, joy flight and jet rides, and kids entertainment.

But who are these men who only seem ­really happy at maximum G force, upside down and flying fast and low?

Labelled Australia’s best stunt pilot, Paul Bennet has arranged the air show, which will make its mark internationally because of the flying talent that will be there.

Mr Bennet is acknowledged as among the best in piloting skills and professionalism in the world.

Performing at air shows since 2005, he has flown more than 700 performances at more than 600 air shows, seen by millions of fans.

Mr Bennet has logged more than 4000 flight hours in 40 aircraft and, at the coming air show, he will fly under back-flipping motocross stunt rider Joel Brown, just a few metres off the ground.

“It’s the first time this stunt has ever been done in public before and we hope this event, and the air show itself, will put Maitland on the world’s aviation map,” Mr Bennet said.

“We have been practising a lot. We must have the right mindset for it and we can’t be gung-ho about it.

“I must get Joel lined up, make sure he is in the right spot – then into it.

“I continue to be inspired by the magic and discipline of flight every time I am in the air.”

“I practice several times a week to ensure high proficiency and safety.

“I just love flying.”

In 2009, Mr Bennet was crowned the Australian Unlimited Aerobatic Champion and in 2011 and 2012 he won the Unlimited title in both the Queensland and Victorian State Championships.

“For this air show, we have brought together the largest and most diverse range of aircraft and ground attractions ever seen in the Hunter Valley,” he said.

“It will be a wonderful experience for the whole family.”

On the big air show day this weekend, Mark Pracy from Ashtonfield will be flying a L-39 Albatros jet fighter-trainer, which he raced against the world’s “top gun” pilots in Reno, United States.

“It is a jet with speed and stealth – it is on top of you before you know it,” Mr Pracy said.

“It can also deliver weapons – and the Syrian government is using these jets in the war over there at present.”

Mr Pracy earned his pilot’s licence when he was 17 before he qualified to fly in air shows.

“One of the joys of being an air show pilot is meeting people who offer you all sorts of planes they want you to fly for them,” he said.

Last year, he came third in the jet class at Reno and was voted the best newcomer in the class.

“But at Maitland, we have great things to show aviation enthusiasts too, where we provide jet fighter rides to the public,” Mr Pracy said.

“This air show will also be great for tourism in our city.

“Air shows bring a lot of interstate coverage because so many enthusiasts follow these programs.

“This weekend will be a great occasion to show people the unknown flying talent we have in Maitland.”

Glenn Graham, twice crowned the Australian Advanced Aerobatic Champion, grew up in a flying family and first flew solo on his 16th birthday.

A year later he had won his first aerobatic competition.

“My dad flew aircraft for fun and I grew up with flying. I was in a plane in Victoria that did a looping role when I was four,” he said.

“It was the aircraft activity in Maitland that brought me to this city.

“I later met Paul Bennet, who offered me the use of his aircraft – a very rare offer for anybody to make.

“So I took the opportunity. Now I work here full-time as part of Paul’s ­aerobatic team and taking people on ­aerobatic adventure flights.”

Mr Graham won his first aerobatic competition in 1998.

“At the air show, I will be flying the Yak 52 and anything else that flies fast and can go upside down, rolling and doing loops,” he said.

Mr Graham has now been in Maitland for eight years and recently took his five-year-old daughter on a flight where she experienced her first loop in a plane.

“My ambition is to fly with great ­people and I am doing just that,” he said.

The fourth member of the Sky Aces is Glenn Collins, who has more than 2700 hours experience in all types of aircraft, from microlights to warbirds.

A keen skydiver, Mr Collins has also made 83 jumps.

His aerobatic awards include NSW and Australian Sportsman Champion in 1997, Australian Intermediate Champion in 1998 and Victorian Advanced Aerobatic Champion in 1999.

The Hunter Valley Air Show supports the Calvary Mater Newcastle Auxiliary of Cancer Carers.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 concession, $80 for a family and entry for children five years is free.