Kirby Chambliss

Kirby Chambliss

Kirby Chambliss at Langley Park in Perth
Born (1959-10-18) October 18, 1959
Nationality United States
Spouse Kellie Chambliss
Racing career
First race 2003
Best position 1st (2004, 2006)
Aircraft Zivko Edge 540
Website
teamchambliss.com

Kirby Chambliss (born October 18, 1959 in Corpus Christi, Texas) is an American commercial pilot and a renowned world champion in aerobatics.

Chambliss was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. As a youngster, he wanted to be a pilot. His father was a skydiver, and he loved the steep spiral in the sky the pilot put the plane into when racing the skydivers back to the ground.[1] During his high school years, he fueled aircraft to earn money. By December 1975 at the age of 16, Chambliss debuted in solo flying after formal flight training,[1] and earned his private license the following March. In the beginning, he earned his living as a certified flight instructor and then as a night freight pilot.

His later job as a business jet pilot enabled him in 1985 to take aerobatic flight training and to buy his own aerobatic plane. Winning top honors in his very first contest, Chambliss worked the way up to the elite "unlimited" level.[1] In 1997, he became member and then captain[2] of the US Aerobatic Team. He won five U.S. national championships and 13 medals at the world championships. He holds the title 2000 Men's Freestyle World Champion,[1] and has logged over 27000 flying hours. In 2013, Chambliss lost power performing a high Alpha pass at the Illopango El Salvador Airshow. Chambliss exited his aircraft with minor injuries after a forced landing on a rocky embankment.[3]

Chambliss racing in Perth, Western Australia

Chambliss enjoys performing in traditional airshows throughout the year when he is not training or competing. Since 2003, he takes part at the international aerobatic competition Red Bull Air Race World Series as a member of the Red Bull Team along with his team mate Hungarian Péter Besenyei. The champion of 2004,[2] Chambliss finished the 2006 Series as the champion[2] again with four wins of eight rounds on his Zivko Edge 540 aircraft. To stay in shape for enormous g-forces and exact timing, he runs four miles five days a week.

He lives with his wife and fellow pilot, Kellie, and their daughter Karly Nicole at the Flying Crown Ranch, Arizona, USA.

United States Kirby Chambliss
at the Red Bull Air Race World Series
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Points Wins Rank
2003 Austria
DNP
Hungary
3rd
4 0 3rd
2004 United Kingdom
1st
Hungary
1st
United States
2nd
17 2 1st
2005 United Arab Emirates
9th
Netherlands
4th
Austria
4th
Republic of Ireland
DNS
United Kingdom
2nd
Hungary
2nd
United States
2nd
21 0 3rd
2006 United Arab Emirates
1st
Spain
3rd
Germany
1st
Russia
CAN
Turkey
1st
Hungary
5th
United Kingdom
3rd
United States
1st
Australia
3rd
38 4 1st
2007 United Arab Emirates
4th
Brazil
6th
United States
4th
Turkey
3rd
Spain
CAN
Switzerland
5th
United Kingdom
5th
Hungary
2nd
Portugal
5th
United States
2nd
Mexico
CAN
Australia
6th
28 0 4th
2008 United Arab Emirates
5th
United States
3rd
United States
1st
Sweden
CAN
Netherlands
4th
United Kingdom
1st
Hungary
12th
Portugal
2nd
Spain
CAN
Australia
8th
46 2 4th
2009 United Arab Emirates
9th
United States
12th
Canada
3rd
Hungary
3rd
Portugal
8th
Spain
5th
34 0 4th
2010 United Arab Emirates
6th
Australia
8th
Brazil
5th
Canada
3rd
United States
3rd
Germany
6th
Hungary
CAN
Portugal
CAN
41 0 4th
2014 United Arab Emirates
11th
Croatia
10th
Malaysia
9th
Poland
4th
United Kingdom
10th
United States
10th
United States
China
5 0 10th
Total 229 8

Legend:

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kirby Chambliss.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Cunningham, Ross. "Flight Fest to feature national aerobatic champion". Matagorda County Advocate, June 30, 2005, p. 3E. Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Main, Tyler L. "Born with wings - Red Bull flyer Kirby Chambliss shares experience, life, career before base air show". Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 6, 2010. Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
  3. "Chambliss Reportedly OK After Crash in El Salvador". Retrieved 30 December 2013.
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Péter Besenyei
Red Bull Air Race World Series Champion
2004
Succeeded by
Mike Mangold
Preceded by
Mike Mangold
Red Bull Air Race World Series Champion
2006
Succeeded by
Mike Mangold
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