Hubie Tolson
At age 15 while in high school, I took my first ride in a small plane, and to my surprise the pilot did a loop. I was hooked! I stopped everything, went to the airport, and got a job washing airplanes and pumping gas. Instead of money for pay, I took flying lessons. At age 16 I received my private pilot’s license.
Soon after getting my license, I began to teach myself aerobatics from a book. This was a really stupid approach and I was lucky not to have an accident. Somehow I survived, and later in my 16th year, I purchased a small fabric covered airplane, packed my belongings, and ran away from home to join the flying circus.
At first, I was the "gofer", going for this and go for that. Later, I began to ferry the show planes from show to show, and eventually I began to perform simple, non aerobatic acts in shows.
After some time I was drawn to competition aerobatics, first on the regional level in US, and later as I became more proficient, I flew on the national level in US National Aerobatic Championships winning gold, silver and bronze medals.
I later earned a position on the US Aerobatic Team. These positions are only given to the top 5 male and female pilots in USA Nationals competition. This is difficult to achieve because the competition is fierce for these few positions.
I flew world championship competitions in USA, twice in Spain, and in the United Kingdom. I achieved top 5 status in the World Championship Air Show Freestyle event.
I have flown world aerobatic displays in the Brazil, the United Kingdom, twice in Spain, Romania, twice in China, the United Arab Emirates, three times in South Korea and many locations in the USA. In Korea, Romania, China, and the UAE competitions I was honored to be the only American invitee.
I hold commercial, instrument, multi engine airplane and commercial helicopter ratings.