Patty Wagstaff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patty Wagstaff
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Wagstaff at the 2004 Stuart, Florida Air Show
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| Born |
Patricia Rosalie Kearns Combs
September 11, 1951 |
| Occupation | Aerobatic pilot |
| Years active | 1978–present |
Patty Wagstaff (born September 11, 1951) is a famous American pilot. She is known for her amazing aerobatic flying skills. Aerobatics is when pilots perform incredible stunts and tricks in the air. Patty Wagstaff has won many awards and championships for her flying. She was the first woman to win the U.S. National Aerobatic Championship.
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Patty's Start in Aviation
Patty Wagstaff was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She loved aviation from a young age. Her father was a pilot for Japan Airlines. After high school, Patty lived in Australia for five years. She even traveled along the coast in a small boat without a radio!
In 1978, she moved to Alaska. There, she started taking flying lessons. Her very first flight in a small plane ended in a crash. This experience made her even more determined to learn to fly safely. Her first lesson was in a Cessna 185 airplane. She quickly earned many pilot licenses. She became a Certified Flight and Instrument Instructor. This means she could teach others how to fly. Patty's sister, Toni, is also a pilot for United Airlines.
Becoming an Aerobatic Champion
In 1985, Patty Wagstaff joined the U.S. National Aerobatic Team. She competed in many national and international events until 1996. She won many gold, silver, and bronze medals. These were for her incredible flying skills.
In 1991, Patty made history. She won her first U.S. National Aerobatic Championship. She was the first woman ever to win this big competition! She won it three times in total. In 1994, one of her special planes, an Extra EA-260, was put on display. It was placed next to Amelia Earhart's plane at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. This shows how important her achievements are.
From 1988 to 1994, she won the Betty Skelton First Lady of Aerobatics award six times. In 1996, she was the top U.S. pilot at the World Aerobatics Championship. She also won the Charlie Hillard Trophy that year. This award goes to the highest-scoring U.S. pilot at the World Aerobatic Championships.
Awards and Recognition
Patty Wagstaff has received many honors for her amazing career.
- In 1997, she was inducted into two Hall of Fames. These were the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame and the International Women's Aviation Hall of Fame.
- She received the National Aeronautic Association Paul Tissandier Diploma in 1997.
- In 1998, she won the Bill Barber Award for sportsmanship.
- In 2001, Patty started training pilots in Kenya. She helped pilots for the Kenya Wildlife Service.
- In 2004, she was elected into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. This is one of the most important honors in aviation.
- In 2006, she joined the International Council of Air Shows Foundation Hall of Fame.
- In 2007, she was inducted into the International Air and Space Hall of Fame. This is at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
What Patty Does Now
Today, Patty Wagstaff lives in St. Augustine, Florida. She runs a company called Patty Wagstaff Aviation Safety, LLC. Here, she teaches pilots from all over the world. She teaches them aerobatics and how to handle difficult situations in the air.
Patty continues to be very active in aviation.
- She performs in airshows across North America. She flies different types of planes, like an Extra 300S, a T-6 Texan, and a P-51 Mustang.
- She works as a stunt pilot for films.
- She is a consultant, flight instructor, and writer.
- She has even flown OV-10 Bronco planes to help fight wildfires in California.
- Patty has also been featured in Microsoft's Microsoft Flight Simulator video game series many times.
Awards and honors
- Inducted in 2004 into the National Aviation Hall of Fame
- Recipient of the 2006 Philip J. Klass Award for Lifetime Achievement
- Wings Club of New York's Outstanding Aviator Award winner in 2013
- International Council of Air Shows' Art Scholl Award recipient in 2023
