Bruce Bohannon

Bruce Bohannon is one of the most recognizable faces in modern aviation. As of 2005 he has set 35 Aviation World Records in two homebuilt airplanes. Pushing the limits of general aviation aircraft, Bruce captured the attention of the press and the imagination of pilots worldwide.

Thirty of Bohannon's world records were set between 1999 and 2005 in his highly modified RV-4, "The Exxon Flyin' Tiger." Registered as a "Bohannon B-1," the Tiger is an all-metal monoplane designed specifically for setting time to climb and altitude records. As of 2006, it is the fastest climbing piston-engine aircraft in the record book to 20,000, 30,000, and 40,000 feet and is the first homebuilt airplane ever to cruise above 40,000 feet. Twelve of the Tiger's records were set in the "Unlimited" category, which includes all piston engine aircraft, regardless of weight. His most impressive climb records to date include the time to climb to 20,000 feet in 6 minutes, 16 seconds, time to 30,000 feet in 9 minutes, 43 seconds, and the time to 40,000 feet in 20 minutes, 24 seconds. As of February 2006, Bruce has reached a maximum altitude of 47,530 feet in The Tiger.

Bohannon's Formula One racer, a Miller Special named "Pushy Galore," now resides in the Experimental Aircraft Association Museum in Oshkosh, Wl. Bruce raced the all-composite "pusher" aircraft for 10 years (1989-98) and set 5 time to climb & altitude world records in it before retiring it to the museum.

The National Aeronautic Association designated four of Bohannon's World Records among the Top Ten Most Memorable Aviation Records of the year. As of 2005, Bruce is the only pilot ever-awarded the prestigious "Louis Bleriot Medal" (by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale) three years in a row (2001, 2002, & 2003).

Born June 21, 1958 in Alvin, Texas, Bruce Bohannon now lives with his wife on their 93-acre grass strip, Flyin' Tiger Field in Angleton, Texas. He is the proud father of two sons: Brian (born 1986) and John (born 1989). Bohannon's passion and perseverance have inspired many (young and old) to pursue their own dreams of flying.