TUTIMA

Team

Sean D. Tucker – President

With more than 20,000 flight hours, Sean D. Tucker is “Aerobatics’ Own Ambassador”. Fiercely competitive, Sean readily admits he was once afraid of flying. To conquer his fears, he enrolled in an aerobatic training course.

By 1988, Sean was crowned the U.S. National Advanced Category Aerobatic Champion and is now one of the premiere air show performers and aerobatic pilots in the world!

Our Instructors

All of our instructors are dedicated to the Academy’s mission and have a wide variety of aviation experience
including in-depth all-attitude flight as aerobatic instructors, test pilots, airshow pilots and/or advanced level competition aerobatic flying.

Ken Erickson

Instructor/Chief Mechanic

Flying since the age of 14, Ken Erickson has quite literally grown up in aviation. Over the past 29 years he has flown more than 12,000 hours in a large variety of sailplanes and powered aircraft. He has flown in both aerobatic competition and airshows. Ken has always enjoyed introducing people to the wonder of flight, and especially the thrill of aerobatics.

Benjamin Freelove

Instructor

Ben is a graduate of the Academy, having completed the APT program with Ken Erickson in 2001. He has logged over 10,000 hours flying time and is now also a race engineer for a Red Bull Air Race team. Ben is an expert aerobatic pilot and was a member of the US Aerobatic Team multiple times and has flown in countries all around the globe.

Yuichi Takagi

Instructor

Born and raised in Japan, Yuichi moved to the United States to look for new challenge. He made his first flight in 1992, and has since flown over 7000 hours . Yuichi has 15 years of aerobatic competition, as well as aircraft mechanic experience. He is also a certified FAI and IAC judge. Yuichi currently flies a highly modified Pitts S-2S for both airshows as well as Unlimited competition.