Matt Chapman
2023
Matt is a quiet gentleman. He is recognized as an extraordinary aerobatic pilot who has thrilled millions of airshow fans. At the age of 16, he was drawn into aviation when he saw David Perrin do an inverted roll on takeoff. Matt built RC planes before completing his first Pitts in 1983 after getting a 200-foot card and flew his first air show. He worked in corporate before hiring on with American Airlines in 1997. During these years, his love of flying took him into RC competition and IAC. Matt took many trophies at the USA Nationals and the World Competition. His first year in the CAP, he won the IAC Championships Fond du Lac Cup. He took this plane to two world contests: 1996 in Oklahoma City; and 1998 in Trencin, Slovakia, where he was able to place third overall amongst the men and lead the US Men’s Team to a Silver overall. He also was awarded the Charlie Hillard Trophy for being the highest placing US pilot in the ATA world contest.
Over the years with ICAS, he served on the ACE Committee under Michael Goulian. He was also pivotal in the first drafts and final documents of the evaluation manual. After Goulian, he served as the ACE Chairman for an additional three years. They were challenging times in and out of the aviation industry both with ICAS and the FAA. While serving as Chairman, he was invited to observe the annual Heritage Flight Convention. He was also asked while there to give each of the six demo pilots an orientation flight in a civilian airshow plane.
During all those years of performing at air shows, Matt encouraged young people to get enthused about aviation. Matt was always there to help and inform up and coming performers. He encouraged young people to stay in school and to love aviation.
Matt’s reputation early on was that of a rather aggressive performer . . . that reputation was a tough one to grow out of. The purchase of the CAP really helped though. It did not allow him to fly the way he did in the Lazer. He also got profoundly serious about training. Matt has now been with American Airlines for more than 35 years. Though he has retired after 37 years of flying air shows, he still has his hand in the business. He was presented with the ICAS Special Achievement Award in 2019 for making significant contributions to the air show business. Matt is one of those people who will always be thought of with respect and admiration.
“Matt Chapman is one of the greatest pilots of all times”, so says Wayne Boggs. “He deserves induction into the ICAS Foundation Air Show Hall of Fame.”
