No one who has seen a performance by Sean D. Tucker will ever forget it. Tucker's work in the ORACLE CHALLENGER provides his audiences with feats that are truly death-defying.

What Sean does in his average "day at the office" would be impossible for most of us to achieve. His practices alone impose one of the most grueling and physically demanding workouts imaginable. His performances impose more G-forces on his body than jet fighter pilots experience--a hammering +10 and -7.5 G's!

How Sean Got Started
Strangely enough, Sean was once afraid of flying. Early on, he took up skydiving, but an accident claimed the life of a close friend and curtailed his growing joy of flight. He took flying lessons in 1969, but even after receiving his pilot certificate, the fear still remained.

Determined to conquer his fears, in a way that is trademark 'Tucker', he enrolled in an aerobatic training course in 1973 at the Amelia Reid Flying School in San Jose. There, Tucker overcame what seemed like impossible obstacles and completed the training that led him to become one of the premiere air show performers in the world.

Professional Success
A fiercely competitive nature coupled with ever-improving aerobatic skills led Sean to a string of successes in local and regional, California contests. Then, in 1988, having so completely conquered his fears, Sean earned the title of U.S. National Advanced Aerobatic Champion. Just the first of many awards, Sean went on to do something no other airshow performer has ever done before...or since. In 1992, Sean earned the two most prestigious air show industry awards possible; The Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award and The Bill Barber Award for Airshow Showmanship -- in the same year! In 1997, he received his second General Aviation News and Flyer Reader’s Choice Award for Best Male Performer and in 1998, Sean won the first ever "CASPA Challenge" organized by the Championship Air Show Pilot’s Association. In 1999 Sean was successful in defending his title as CASPA Champion.

Aerobatics' Own Ambassador
Since beginning his airshows career in the mid-70's, Sean has flown more than 700 performances at more than 300 airshows, in front of more than 60-million fans. In one season alone, Sean and TEAM ORACLE will entertain nearly 10-million airshow fans at 25 airshows throughout North America. "I like to think that I bring the fans' dreams of flying into the plane with me; and there's nowhere I'd rather be than in the cockpit. That's why I train so hard to keep the edge!"

Having accumulated more than 16,000 flight hours (3,000 aerobatic), Sean has learned what it takes to become and stay world class. His success and safety depend on a rigorous fitness regimen of aerobic exercise, weight lifting and flying every day to keep his G-tolerance levels high and his razor sharp reflexes taut. And, the FAA and airshow industry recognize his commitment. Serving as an FAA designated ACE (Air Show Certification Evaluator), Sean has spent countless hours counseling young airshow performers on their routines. He has also served on airshow industry oversight committees to review training, regulatory procedures and vital safety issues.

Sean's ever-energetic personality is contagious. And whether he's talking to experienced pilots, enthusiastic fans, or people who have never been in a plane before, it is impossible for them not to be inspired. Email Sean at sean@poweraerobatics.com

POWER FACTS

• More than half of Sean's maneuvers are original and have never been duplicated by another aerobatic pilot.
• Twice, during every airshow, Sean will fly the ORACLE CHALLENGER backwards at a speed of more than 100 mph.
• The G-forces exerted on Sean when he is flying are greater than those on the pilots in modern fighters like the Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels.
• From his normal weight of 175 pounds, Sean will weigh nearly 1,700 pounds while pulling 10 positive G's...and will resist the force 1,200 pounds pulling on his head as 7.5 negative G's tries to pull him out of the cockpit!