Rick Volker
Rick Volker has brought great extremes to the air show world. From world class unlimited aerobatics in the Sukhoi 26 to classic warbird aerobatics and Canadian Heritage flights in Spitfire and Harvard, Rick is known to push the envelope of what is thought possible in each aircraft. For this year, Rick Volker Airshows is introducing the SIAI Marchetti SF260C, a fast, IFR capable aerobatic aircraft with side by side seating that is currently in production by the aerospace giant, Leonardo. This Italian masterpiece has been used by over 28 countries to prepare pilots for combat but due to limited numbers, has rarely been seen as a solo aerobatic act at air shows in North America. Rick has weaponized his skill to present everything that can be squeezed out of this aircraft for your viewing pleasure. 230 knots. 6 G. Snap rolls. Vertical rolls. Inverted flight. The Marchetti is the missing link between piston warbird fighters and modern competition aerobatic hotrods.
A look back at Rick’s flight career gives a few hints at what might be in store for the lucky spectator.
Entering the competition aerobatic world by storm, Rick won numerous regional Unlimited aerobatic contests, such as the Can-Am, Henry Haigh, and Kathy Jaffe Challenges in both the Pitts biplanes and Sukhoi monoplanes. He is a former competitor in athletic events such as swimming, speed skating, bicycle racing, cross-country skiing, body building, and he is an active track cyclist. This is the type of conditioning required to fly at this level, as it tests the limits of human endurance. While flying Unlimited aircraft, Rick alternates between plus-11 and minus-9 Gs, often in the same maneuver.
Rick is known for flying the WWII Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX in a spectacular display of surface level aerobatics, and as a member of the exclusive Canadian Heritage Flight team where he flew in close formation with the CF-18 fighter. He is one of a very few pilots in the world qualified to fly both the Messerschmitt Bf109E and G models. He has flown the same serial number Bf109 as did Hans-Joachim Marseilles in an air show dogfight routine vs the Hawker Hurricane, and solo before the crowd at the Red Bull Air Races. His other qualifications include brilliant full aerobatic displays in the Hawker Hurricane MK XII and the Harvard Mk. IV.
Rick is a piston warbird, high performance, and formation aerobatic ACE (Aerobatic Competency Evaluator), and has trained aerobatic pilots in the Sukhoi SU-29, Extra 300L and Pitts Specials.
He is featured on the PBS series “The Aviators” Season 1, Episode 8.
Rick Volker
Rick Volker has brought great extremes to the air show world. From world class unlimited aerobatics in the Sukhoi 26 to classic warbird aerobatics and Canadian Heritage flights in Spitfire and Harvard, Rick is known to push the envelope of what is thought possible in each aircraft. For this year, Rick Volker Airshows is introducing the SIAI Marchetti SF260C, a fast, IFR capable aerobatic aircraft with side by side seating that is currently in production by the aerospace giant, Leonardo. This Italian masterpiece has been used by over 28 countries to prepare pilots for combat but due to limited numbers, has rarely been seen as a solo aerobatic act at air shows in North America. Rick has weaponized his skill to present everything that can be squeezed out of this aircraft for your viewing pleasure. 230 knots. 6 G. Snap rolls. Vertical rolls. Inverted flight. The Marchetti is the missing link between piston warbird fighters and modern competition aerobatic hotrods.
A look back at Rick’s flight career gives a few hints at what might be in store for the lucky spectator.
Entering the competition aerobatic world by storm, Rick won numerous regional Unlimited aerobatic contests, such as the Can-Am, Henry Haigh, and Kathy Jaffe Challenges in both the Pitts biplanes and Sukhoi monoplanes. He is a former competitor in athletic events such as swimming, speed skating, bicycle racing, cross-country skiing, body building, and he is an active track cyclist. This is the type of conditioning required to fly at this level, as it tests the limits of human endurance. While flying Unlimited aircraft, Rick alternates between plus-11 and minus-9 Gs, often in the same maneuver.
Rick is known for flying the WWII Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX in a spectacular display of surface level aerobatics, and as a member of the exclusive Canadian Heritage Flight team where he flew in close formation with the CF-18 fighter. He is one of a very few pilots in the world qualified to fly both the Messerschmitt Bf109E and G models. He has flown the same serial number Bf109 as did Hans-Joachim Marseilles in an air show dogfight routine vs the Hawker Hurricane, and solo before the crowd at the Red Bull Air Races. His other qualifications include brilliant full aerobatic displays in the Hawker Hurricane MK XII and the Harvard Mk. IV.
Rick is a piston warbird, high performance, and formation aerobatic ACE (Aerobatic Competency Evaluator), and has trained aerobatic pilots in the Sukhoi SU-29, Extra 300L and Pitts Specials.
He is featured on the PBS series “The Aviators” Season 1, Episode 8.