Patty Wagstaff

Patty Wagstaff flies one of the most thrilling, low-level aerobatic routines in the world today. Flying before millions of air show spectators each year, her breathtaking performances give spectators a front-row seat view of the precision and complexity of modern, unlimited hard-core aerobatics. Her aggressive smooth style sets the standard for performers the world over.

Born in the USA, Patty moved to Japan when she was nine years old where her father was a captain for Japan Air Lines. Her cross-cultural academic career began in Japan, took her to Southeast Asia and Europe and then a six-year work-study program in Australia. She moved to Alaska in 1979 where she began her now-legendary career in aviation. Patty's first flying lesson was in a Cessna 185 floatplane and since then she has earned her Commercial, Instrument, Seaplane and Commercial Helicopter Ratings. She is a Flight and Instrument Instructor and is rated and qualified to fly many airplanes, from World War II Warbirds to jets. Her sister, Toni, is also a pilot and a captain for Continental Airlines based in Guam.

Patty's skill is based on experience. She is a six-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team that competes in Olympic-level international competition, and the highest-placing American with gold, silver and bronze medals, a three-time U.S. National Aerobatic champion, an International Aerobatics Club (IAC) champion, and a six-time recipient of the "First Lady of Aerobatics" Betty Skelton Award. The first woman to win the title of U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, Patty has won the gold, silver and bronze medals in National as well as International Competition. She has trained with the Russian Aerobatic Team and flown air shows and competitions on five continents in such places as Russia, Argentina, Iceland and Kenya.

In March 1994, her airplane, the Goodrich Extra 260, went on display in the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC. You can see Patty's airplane and exhibit in the Pioneers of Flight Gallery right next to Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega.

Patty has won many awards for her flying and is particularly proud of receiving the air show industry's most prestigious award, the "Sword of Excellence," as well as the "Bill Barber Award for Showmanship" and is the 1996 recipient of the "Charlie Hillard Award."
Patty Wagstaff Airshows, Inc. is based in St. Augustine, Florida. During the off-season Patty engages in such diverse projects as stunt flying and coordination for the movie and television industry, and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, the Motion Picture Pilots Association and the United Stuntwomen's Association. She has "demoed" airplanes for companies such as Raytheon flying their new military trainer, the T-6A Texan II in air shows, and recently has been in Kenya, Africa working with the Kenya Wildlife Service giving pilots recurrency and bush training.

Patty is proud to be sponsored by Textron Lycoming Textron Lycoming, which makes her engine; Barrett Performance Aircraft, which modifies it; Shell Oil; Champion Aerospace; and MT Propeller, which provides the propeller. Additionally Patty is supported by Tempest, Bose Headsets, Michelin Aircraft Tires, National Parachutes and FlightAdventures for web design and hosting services.

Patty's awards, honors, and titles include the following:

• 2004 Inductee, National Aviation Hall of Fame
• 2002 Recipient, the Marjorie Stinson Award
• 1997 Inductee, Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame
• 1996 Recipient, Charlie Hillard Trophy
• 1996 GAN & Flyers Readers Choice Award, Favorite Female Performer
• 1996 Top Scoring US Pilot at World Aerobatic Championships Us National Aerobatic Champion
• 1991, 1992, 1993 US National Aerobatic Championships
• 1993 International Aerobatic Club Champion
• 1985-1996 Member, U.S. Aerobatic Team
• 1990/1992/1994 Top US Medal Winner, World Aerobatic Championships
• 1995 Recipient, ICAS Sword of Excellence Award
• 1994 National Air and Space Museum Award for Current Achievement
• 1994 NAA Certificate of Honor
• 1991 Voted Western Flyer Reader's Choice Favorite Airshow Performer
• 1988-1994 Winner Betty Skelton "First Lady of Aerobatics" Trophy
• 1987 Rolly Cole Memorial Award for Contributions to Sport Aerobatics
• 1998 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship
• 1997 Recipient, NAA Paul Tissiander Diploma
• 1997 Inductee, Women in Aviation International Hall of Fame

The last seven Unlimited U.S. National Aerobatic Champions have flown the Extra 300S, making it the aircraft of choice for performance professionals. Produced by the Walter Extra Flugzeugbau of Germany, it's the single-seat version of the Extra 300. The 300S has some impressive capabilities, with a roll rate of 400 degrees per second and the ability to withstand plus and minus 15 Gs.

SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 23 feet, 4.25 inches
Height: 8 feet, 7.25 inches
Wingspan: 24 feet, 7.25 inches
Gross Weight: 1,808 lbs.
Engine: 300 hp Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5 flat-six
Max speed: 253 mph

http://www.pattywagstaff.com

See more exciting air show photos in the AirVenture photo gallery.