“When I was 21 years old flying corporate for La Quinta Motor Inn, our chief pilot was a really smart guy and he said, ‘Hey, if this jet ever ends up upside down with a CEO on board, we want you to be able to turn it right side up without killing everyone.’ I thought, ‘Makes sense to me!’” From that point on, flying became more than Kirby had ever imagined. (more…)

While Jason Resop’s love for flying started much earlier, it was in high school that he immersed himself in the world of aviation. Jason got a job fueling airplanes at a local airport in Chandler to pay for his hobby, and it was there that he was introduced to Red Bull Air Race pilot, Kirby Chambliss.
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Peter Conway began flying back in 2002 in Santa Barbara, California. During his flight training, he discovered his love for mechanics and was offered an apprenticeship in the flight school’s maintenance shop. After three short years, he was a licensed pilot and an A&P mechanic.
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Kayla Layton became passionate about aviation just after high school when her uncle took her for her first flight in his Experimental Cozy. From that point on, being on the ground wasn’t nearly as exciting as being in the air! She began taking flying lessons at 18, but put them on hold to complete college.
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Like the rest of Team Chambliss, Paulo Iscold lives and breathes aviation! From a very young age, he’d overheard conversations of his father’s friend building airplanes and knew someday he would do the same. He attended the Universidade Federal de minas Gerias (UMFG) in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and received his doctorate in mechanical engineering. Over the past twenty years, Paulo has developed a unique and exceptional combination of skills and expertise in Aircraft Design, Construction, Optimization, and Development in Aviation Sports.
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Having a father and a grandfather who were both pilots, there was no question on what Grant Groathouse would strive to achieve as he grew up. He began fueling at Chandler Municipal airport in high school to fund his love for flight, and received his private pilot certificate at the age of 17. He continued his training and received multiple ratings, including instrument, commercial, and flight instructor. Working alongside close friend Jason Resop, Grant also met Kirby during this time.
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John Hanlon’s love for aviation goes “as far back as he can remember.” With the influence and shared enthusiasm for aviation from his two older brothers, now fellow pilots, he always knew what he wanted to do when he grew up. He began flying lessons at only 11 years old, completed his first solo flight by the age of 16, and earned his private pilot’s certificate at 18.
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Jay Stewart began flying before his feet could even reach the pedals. Some of his earliest memories come from flying with his father in their family Champ. Following in his father’s footsteps, Jay became a pilot himself and currently works for US Airways.
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