Leo Loudenslager
Encyclopedia
Leo Loudenslager was an American aviator. He is the only person to have won seven national aerobatic
titles and is one of only two Americans to win the World Aerobatics Championship title.
in 1964 when he took leave to attend the first Reno Air Races
, where he was inspired to become a pilot. He took flying lessons at the Travis Air Force Base flight club, where one of his instructors was Dick Rutan
. In 1966, he joined American Airlines
as a first officer. He worked for them for the rest of his life.
He acquired a Stephens Akro aerobatic plane in 1970 and competed in his first competition the next year. A series of modifications to the plane, tail number N10LL, culminated in the rechristening of the plane as the Laser 200 in 1975. With the Laser 200, he won seven United States Aerobatic Championships and the 1980 World Aerobatics Championship.
Loudenslager also flew in air shows, notably the Sussex Airshow at his home airport in Sussex County, New Jersey
. In addition to his Laser 200, he also flew a Bede BD-5J; both aircraft were sponsored by Bud Light.
In later years, Loudenslager's base of operation was at Thompson's Station, Tennessee
, approximately 25 miles (40.2 km) from Nashville
.
near his home in Tennessee. He died a month later in hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
.
Loudenslager's plane, the Laser 200, was donated to the Smithsonian in 1999. It was on display at the National Air and Space Museum
from October 2001 through April 2003 as part of the Aerobatic Champions temporary exhibit and has been on permanent display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
since December 2003. Twenty members of the US House of Representatives signed a letter objecting to the plane's Bud Light emblems remaining on the plane, but the museum stood by its position of not altering artifacts except for repair.
The International Council of Air Shows Foundation maintains a scholarship in his name, which is given in rotation to an enlisted member of the US Navy Blue Angels
, the US Air Force Thunderbirds or the Canadian Forces Snowbirds
to be used toward the cost of flight training.
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
titles and is one of only two Americans to win the World Aerobatics Championship title.
Biography
Loudenslager served in the Air Force as a B-52 mechanic. He was stationed at Travis Air Force BaseTravis Air Force Base
Travis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force air base under the operational control of the Air Mobility Command , located three miles east of the central business district of Fairfield, in Solano County, California, United States. The base is named for Brigadier General Robert F...
in 1964 when he took leave to attend the first Reno Air Races
Reno Air Races
The Reno Air Races, also known as the National Championship Air Races, take place each September at the Reno Stead Airport a few miles north of Reno, Nevada, USA...
, where he was inspired to become a pilot. He took flying lessons at the Travis Air Force Base flight club, where one of his instructors was Dick Rutan
Dick Rutan
Richard Glenn "Dick" Rutan is an aviator who piloted the Voyager aircraft around the world non-stop with co-pilot Jeana Yeager...
. In 1966, he joined American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
as a first officer. He worked for them for the rest of his life.
He acquired a Stephens Akro aerobatic plane in 1970 and competed in his first competition the next year. A series of modifications to the plane, tail number N10LL, culminated in the rechristening of the plane as the Laser 200 in 1975. With the Laser 200, he won seven United States Aerobatic Championships and the 1980 World Aerobatics Championship.
Loudenslager also flew in air shows, notably the Sussex Airshow at his home airport in Sussex County, New Jersey
Sussex County, New Jersey
The County of Sussex is the northernmost county in the State of New Jersey. It is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 Federal decennial census, 149,265 persons resided in Sussex County...
. In addition to his Laser 200, he also flew a Bede BD-5J; both aircraft were sponsored by Bud Light.
In later years, Loudenslager's base of operation was at Thompson's Station, Tennessee
Thompson's Station, Tennessee
Thompson's Station is a town in Williamson County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 1,283 at the 2000 census. It is the location of two places listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places: the Jacob Critz House and the Thomas L. Critz House.-Geography:Thompson's Station is...
, approximately 25 miles (40.2 km) from Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
Marriage and children
Loudenslager had two children, Kelly and Carolyn, from his marriage to former airhostess Susan, from whom he was divorced.Death and afterward
On June 28, 1997, a car crossed the center line and collided head-on with his motorcycle on U.S. Route 31U.S. Route 31
U.S. Route 31 is a long north–south highway connecting northern Michigan to southern Alabama, with its northern terminus at Interstate 75 near Mackinaw City, Michigan, and southern terminus at the combined U.S. Route 90 & U.S. Route 98 at Spanish Fort, Alabama...
near his home in Tennessee. He died a month later in hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
The Vanderbilt University Medical Center is a collection of several hospitals and clinics, as well as the schools of medicine and nursing associated with Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.It comprises the following units:...
.
Loudenslager's plane, the Laser 200, was donated to the Smithsonian in 1999. It was on display at the National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
from October 2001 through April 2003 as part of the Aerobatic Champions temporary exhibit and has been on permanent display in the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum 's annex at Washington Dulles International Airport in the Chantilly area of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States....
since December 2003. Twenty members of the US House of Representatives signed a letter objecting to the plane's Bud Light emblems remaining on the plane, but the museum stood by its position of not altering artifacts except for repair.
The International Council of Air Shows Foundation maintains a scholarship in his name, which is given in rotation to an enlisted member of the US Navy Blue Angels
Blue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
, the US Air Force Thunderbirds or the Canadian Forces Snowbirds
Snowbirds
Officially known as the Royal Canadian Air Force's 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The squadron is based at...
to be used toward the cost of flight training.
Awards
- 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982: United States Aerobatic Champion
- 1980: World Aerobatics Champion
- 1982: New Jersey Aviation Hall of FameAviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New JerseyThe Aviation Hall Of Fame & Museum of New Jersey was founded in 1972 and preserves New Jersey's aviation and space heritage. The museum displays historic aircraft, space equipment, artifacts, photographs, art and a model collection, many of which were donations from private sources. It is the first...
- 1990: Bill Barber Award for Showmanship, World Airshow News magazine
- 1990: Clifford W. Henderson Achievement Award, Cleveland National Air ShowCleveland National Air ShowThe Cleveland National Air Show is an annual air show held on Labor Day weekend at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio. It was established in 1964 as an indirect successor to the National Air Races. The show includes stunt airplanes, modern fighters and alternates between the Blue Angels and...
- 1991: ICAS Art Scholl Showmanship Award
- 1991: International Aerobatics Hall of Fame
- 1994: ICAS Sword of Excellence
- 1998: ICAS Air Show Hall of Fame
- Victor Award, National Academy of Sports EditorsNational Academy of Sports EditorsThe National Academy of Sports Editors is an industry association of professionals associated with the sports news business. Its membership is a cross-section of American sports editors, writers, and broadcasters....
See also
- Competition aerobaticsCompetition aerobaticsCompetition aerobatics is an air sport in which judges rate the skill of pilots performing aerobatic flying. It is practiced in both piston-powered single-engine airplanes and gliders....
- FAI World Aerobatic Championships
- FAI European Aerobatic ChampionshipsFAI European Aerobatic ChampionshipsThe FAI European Aerobatic Championship is an aerobatic competition held biennially, alternating with the World Aerobatic Championship.- Individual winners:- Winners by teams :- Bibliography :* * - See also :*FAI World Aerobatic Championships...
External links
- Landings: Opinions: Leo Loudenslager Memorial
- Loudenslager/Zivko Shark aircraft
- Flying Leo's Stephens Akro
- Stephens Akro (details some of the modifications made by Loudenslager)
- Teaching IAC Judges' School to Chapter 52 at Poughkeepsie, NY, 1980
