Believe it or not, my first flight was the day before I was born. I was a month overdue and my parents decided to jump in the airplane and do some aerobatics. It worked, I was born the next day. I started taking flying lessons when I was twelve years old, soloed in a Pitts when I was sixteen, got my pilot’s license a year later and entered my first air show when I was twenty-one.

My father, Sean Tucker, first introduced me to flying. He let me know that it is an incredible experience that offers several benefits. I seized every opportunity to fly that I came across and I was able to fly with air show greats including Jimmy Mynning who has exceptional style, and The French Connection whose formation is pure elegance in motion. Everything came full circle when I joined the aerobatic team, The Collaborators, along with my father, and pilots Ben Freelove and Bill Stein.

The King Air 350 has tremendous utility. It is very safe and was exceptionally designed with state-of-the-art avionics which makes for an extremely reliable and first-class aircraft.

Both planes are great at what they’re designed for. The King Air 350 flies people safely and comfortably providing five star service. The Extra 300L is meant to thrill people and push gravity’s limitations to see what is possible. Each plane requires a similar set of skills but with the King Air 350 I work alongside a professional flight crew and dispatch team, whereas when I fly the Extra 300L I have to be more self-reliant.

Safety is the most important tool when flying an airplane. A great pilot must know when to make a conservative decision and to also be able to adapt to changing situations. Great pilots have the ability to fly within their personal limitations and follow procedures to ensure a safe trip.

I love the quality and diversity of the planes, and the management team at Solairus always exceeds my expectations. Everyone in the office is on the same page with the same priorities, all working towards a common goal. The company’s commitment to their pilots always makes me feel appreciated and proud to fly for Solairus.