Patrick Mcalee Airshows

Patrick grew up in St. Louis Missouri and is currently residing in Chicago, Ill.

Patrick grew up in St. Louis Missouri and is currently residing in Chicago, Ill. With both his father and uncle being commercial airline pilots he was exposed to aviation as early as the age of five; aerobatics at seven. His father built flight time as an instructor in the army then built more aviation experience as a mechanic (working under an engineer title) for McDonnell Douglas and the Gemini Space program. In or around 1969 he was called up by Ozark Airlines and moved to dsc_0033Chicago to be in the first class not to fly a DC-3, but the Fairchild F27.

During that time and somewhere in-between all the moves his father was building his first biplane on the side- the Skybolt. The Skybolt was an experimental plane, it had an open cockpit, which young Patrick could barely see out of. At the age of five his father took him on his first ride to OshKosh for the EAA AirVenture Fly-in, throughout the years Pat and his father continued to fly to OshKosh and that is when he both met with and was inspired by airshow moguls such as Sean D. Tucker, Debbie Rihn-Harvey, and Greg Koontz.

Patrick and his dad would fly back to OshKosh not just to see the acts but he had an ulterior motive; to be close to show pilots ask questions and take notes. By the age of 12 he knew he wanted to become a professional Airshow Pilot! By the age of 16 he was already saving for his first plane and took on two jobs; fueling airplanes on the weekends and in his spare time was an airplane mechanic with his dad. He continued to strive towards his goal by logging hours on every single plane he could get his hands on and by the age of 18 he was a freelance flight instructor.

Patrick enrolled at the Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety and started competing after heeding advice from one of those show pilots during his visits at OshKosh. After receiving aerobatic instruction and receiving his A&P degree from (UCM), he continued working on biplanes and working towards his goal of becoming a professional airshow pilot. Patrick started in aerobatic competition and took another piece of advice from that same airshow pilot to heart and “never got below 80 percent” for five years he continued to work hard; placing top-ten in the nation each and every time.

After making the transition from competition to airshows, Patrick continued to take notes and seek out mentorship from notable airshow professionals. Currently Patrick strives to the best entertainer and performer for past and future generations. Patrick gives credit for both his love and dedication of aviation to both his mother and father. When he thinks of his late mother Brenda, he thinks of her strength. Whenever her body, mind or soul were ready to give up, she would set a goal, and she would push past her own limits. His father taught him to be the best version of himself and to never quit on your dreams.

Currently, Patrick is not only a professional airshow pilot but also a commercial Airline Pilot. He serves his community by acting as a mentor and promoting the art of flight every chance he gets.

Keeping safety and awareness in mind, Patrick creates an innovative way to reach out to aviation enthusiasts-specifically children. Through passion and flight he inspires children and adults to push through whatever illness or hardship they may be going through and prevail.