James Rossi, who was known to his friends as Jimmy, grew up on a traveling circus. He became a rodeo trick roper and rider through his college years. He also worked at local airports in exchange for flying lessons, soloing a J-3 Cub on his 16th birthday and earning his Private Pilot's license on his 17th birthday. After his military service was completed, he flew as an aerobatic instructor, production test pilot, and charter pilot. He was hired by American Airlines in the late '60s. He was type rated in a dozen planes from DC-3 to 747/57/67, and enjoyed flying international. A long time aerobatic competitor, Jimmy was named to the 1981 U.S. Team and won the 1982 IAC Unlimited Championship. He also flew jet aerobatic airshows in his Iskra (TS-11), MiG 15/17, and his F-86 "CrapShooter."
On November 4, 2002, while leaving an airshow, "CrapShooter" experienced catastrophic engine failure. Rather than jump out and risk letting the aircraft go down near homes, Jimmy stayed with his ship and both were lost while trying to deadstick in.
Jimmy is survived by his wife, Barbara and son, Jimmy, Jr.