Greg is a native of Boise, Idaho and has spent most of his
life there, graduating from Boise State University. He started his flying career at an early age and
earned his pilot's license while still a teenager, flying
out of the old Strawberry Glen airport along side the Boise
River.
His flight instructor, John Chambers, introduced him to
aerobatics early on and it quickly turned into a passion
that continues to this day.
Greg's early flying was done in a variety of tail wheel type
aircraft and he spent many hours at Idaho back country
airstrips. After earning commercial and instrument ratings
Greg became a flight instructor and has specialized in tail
wheel training, aerobatics (from basic to unlimited) and has
earned a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable
advanced spin instructors in the country.
His flying career has been a varied one. From towing gliders
and aerial banner advertisements to float plane flying, Greg
considers himself one of the fortunate few who have been
granted the privilege of a life in the air!
Greg’s love of aerobatics led him to enter competitions
around the country, which enhanced his skills and
understanding of high performance aircraft and eventually
led to his first airshow performance in 1992. Shortly after,
he became a full time airshow pilot and a main stay on the
circuit, performing at 15 to 25 airshow events each year.
Greg considers one of the highlights of his career to be the
time he spent as the production test pilot for Aviat
Aircraft in Afton, Wyoming. During that time he was
responsible for test flying all the Pitts and Husky aircraft
that rolled out the factory doors.
Greg has been chosen for several nationally televised
airshow freestyle competitions, placing 2nd in the World
Free Style Sport Flying Championships in 1999, and 3rd in
the World Aerobatic Federation contest in 2000. Greg has
been featured in such television programs as Modern Marvels,
Ripley’s Believe it or Not, The Discovery Channel, CBS news,
FOX sports, ESPN, The History Channel and others.
Airshow flying has opened many doors for him and put him at
the controls of a variety of aircraft such as a Russian
Mig-15, the WWII B-17 Flying Fortress and the U.S. Air Force
F-15, F-16 and F-18 fighter jets.
Greg’s
adventurous nature has taken him to over 25 countries. Along
the way he lived in Saudi Arabia for a year. His life took a major turn in 2002 following the drug
related death of his son Ryan. He now visits schools and
youth groups with his
Elevate Your Life program, discussing the incredible opportunities
aviation has afforded him and telling his son’s story as a
reminder to young people about the importance of making the
right choices and following their dreams.
Greg is privileged and proud to be sponsored by Fagen Inc.
He has a daughter Kelsey, and still lives in Boise, Idaho
where he enjoys skiing, mountain bike riding and playing
guitar.
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