Photo by Brett Brock

July 28, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin - Michael Goulian, of Maynard, Massachusetts, received the 2009 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship Monday night at Theater in the Woods. The award honors air show performers or teams that have demonstrated great skill and showmanship and is presented annually by World Airshow News and the friends and family of the late Bill Barber.

Goulian joins a list of honorees that reads like an air show hall of fame from the past 20 years. He grew up in an aviation family, which founded one of the largest flying schools in the Northeast, Executive Flyers Aviation. By his 16th birthday, Goulian had flown a Cessna 150 solo and soon after began aerobatic training. To date, Goulian has approximately two decades of flying experience in air shows around the world, astonishing audiences with his aggressive and innovative aerobatic displays.

Goulian is also an accomplished aerobatic competition pilot. He has been U.S. National Champion in the Advanced category; Fond du Lac Cup invite, two-time Silver Medalist in the Unlimited category; represented America at the World Aerobatic Championships; U.S. National Unlimited Champion in 1995; and currently competes in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

Goulian also contributes to the future development of his beloved sport. As a former member of the board of directors of the International Council of Air Shows, Goulian became an aerobatic competency evaluator to help amateur performers begin their aerobatic careers. Goulian is also the co-author of Basic Aerobatics and Advanced Aerobatics, a best-selling series of aerobatic training books.

Along with Sean D. Tucker, a previous Bill Barber Award recipient, Goulian mentored six future air show pilots as part of the program Stars of Tomorrow that introduces new talent at EAA AirVenture.

Past Barber Award Recipients
2008..... Bud Granley
2007..... Dacy Family Airshow Team
2006..... Danny Clisham
2005..... Pietsch Airshows
2004..... Bobby Younkin
2003..... Jim LeRoy
2002..... AeroShell Aerobatic Team
2001..... Northern Lights Aerobatic Team
2000..... John Mohr
1999..... Dan Buchanan
1998..... Patty Wagstaff
1997..... Gene Soucy & Teresa Stokes
1996..... Wayne Handley
1995..... Bob Hoover
1994..... Bob & Annette Hosking
1993......Red Baron Stearman Squadron
1992..... Sean D. Tucker
1991..... Julie Clark
1990..... Leo Loudenslager
1989..... Jimmy Franklin
1988..... No Award
1987..... The French Connection
1986..... Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team