Famous Stunt Pilots Who Changed the Aviation Game
There’s one reason that many people visit airshows. It gives them the perfect opportunity to see stunts. Lots of stunts. While this is an expectation nowadays, it hasn’t always been so. Thanks to a few influential (and daring) individuals, we are familiar with seeing aircraft looping, rolling, spinning, and everything in between. Next time you visit an airshow, hold some of the following names in your mind as we present our list of famous stunt pilots who changed the aviation game.
Pyotr Nesterov
While you might never have heard of Pyotr Nesterov, we can practically guarantee that you have witnessed his legacy. Nesterov is widely believed to be the first person in the world to ever fly an aircraft in a loop!
While today’s aircraft are safe and heavily regulated, it wasn’t always so. And on 9th September 1913, when he pulled back the stick and hoped for a successful outcome, he paved the way for thousands of aviators to perform a similar feat in the future.
The most amusing thing is that he wasn’t greeted with excitement or applause on his safe landing. Instead, he was jailed for 10 days “for risking government property”.
Pancho Barnes
Pancho Barnes, or “Florence Lowe” to use her proper name, is one of the world’s most iconic and well-known stunt pilots.
Barnes had an interesting life. Not only did she break Emilea Earhart’s women’s speed record (probably making her the fastest woman in the world at the time she performed it), she also spent time in Mexico aiding revolutionaries (hence her pseudonym ‘Pancho’).
Such was Barnes’ prowess as an aviator that she established the worlds first aviation film agency, forming the Associated Motion Picture Pilots. You can see her in action in the 1930s film “hells angels”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ERI1BT20HQ
Walter Extra
Ever heard of a stunt aircraft called the Extra 300? If you are an aerobatic enthusiast, this will be a familiar sight, and you have Walter Extra to thank.
Walter designed the Extra 300 after competing in the 1982 World Aerobatic championships. It soon became the dominant type on the circuit.
Nowadays, you’ll see it is the aircraft of choice in prestigious and well-publicized events such as the Red Bull Air Race.
Max Immelmann
It isn’t every day that you get a maneuver named after you! However, it is important to note that you probably wouldn’t have wanted to witness the early versions performed by German fighter ace Max Immelmann.
Why?
This was a maneuver he perfected in World War One… Meaning that you would likely only see it if he was about to shoot you down!
The Immelmann roll is a firm favorite at airshows and is also called a ‘roll-off-the-top’. The pilot will fly level and pull up into a roll. Once they reach the top (while inverted), they roll the aircraft back around to wings level, reversing direction.
It has to be seen to be believed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TjHs7XMOgo
Chuck Yeager
When it comes to great stunt pilots that changed the face of aviation Chuck Yeager is iconic.
While he is most famous for being the first man to ever exceed the speed of sound, Yeager had a distinguished career as a military test pilot before this. Flying the P-51 Mustang against soviet Mig-17s.
Want to see Yeager’s legacy?
The Mig 17, P-51 Mustang can be seen at the Wings Over Camarillo airshow. Not to mention supersonic fighters with Chuck’s bravery to thank for their eventual development.
Katherine Stinson
Katherine Stinson stands out as a stunt pilot for several reasons.
While Pyotr Nesterov was the first man to accomplish a loop, Stinson was the first woman to accomplish this feat. “America’s sweetheart of the air” pulled a loop in 1915 and proved to the world that women were just as capable as their male counterparts when it came to flying skill and prowess.
Not content to stop there, she also became the world’s first-ever pilot to fly at night!
Stinson’s legacy can still be seen to this day. Her brothers were so inspired that they built an entire aircraft company!
Bessie Coleman
Bessie Coleman is a real icon when it comes to famous stunt pilots.
There were no opportunities for African Americans to learn to fly in her time. However, Coleman didn’t let that stop her. After saving to travel to a French flight school, she returned to the US as the first Black person to earn an international pilots license.
From then on, the sky was the limit. Coleman’s flying name was “Queen Bess”. She took part in several high-profile air shows across the United States. Although she died in a crash in 1926, her legacy lived on. She served as a continued inspiration to the African American community.
Svetlana Kapanina
Svetlana Kapanina is a Kazakh pilot who is an inspiration to pilots everywhere. A member of the International aerobatic team, there is little that she can’t do with an airplane.
Aside from winning the World Aerobatic Championships 7 times (more than any other pilot), she was awarded the Order of Courage in 2014.
When we say “there is little she can’t do,” we really mean it. Check this video out to see some of Kapaninas skills. Unreal.
https://youtu.be/aQONtYjDlMw?t=996
It’s even more fun to watch from the ground! And you can see similar stunts performed at the Wings Over Camarillo Airshow!
Bob Hoover
Known as “the pilot’s pilot,” Bob Hoover was one of the greatest stick and rudder’ pilots to ever have lived. He remains an inspirational figure to pilots and spectators alike to this day.
His signature moves, such as shutting down the engines before landing and pouring hot coffee into a cup while inverted, made him a true legend in flying circles.
While many of the above aviators have long since departed our company, their legacy continues. It can be seen at airshows across the country. The rolls and maneuvers you’ll see are only the start, and the performances all owe a little to the bravery (and daring) of those on the above list. Want to see what aerobatics and stunts look like for real? How’s about seeing them performed by the very same aircraft? In some instances, this will be possible!
The Wings Over Camarillo Airshow is packed full of aviation history. Visit our website to see who’s performing and when.
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