Melissa
Performance description (day only)
Melissa’s act is a surface level and high energy display of Unlimited Level Aerobatics which combines the precision and technical maneuvers learned through competition with the tumbling gyroscopic maneuvers of air show flying. When the crowd sees and hears the voice of a 24 year old female it brings a whole new element of inspiration and amazement to your show! It’s great for people of all ages and backgrounds and as a former member of the US Unlimited Aerobatic Team she can guarantee an extra level of safety and professionalism. Melissa loves to take time to get to know your audience and she always leaves them wanting to come back for more!
Aircraft
Ziviko Edge 450
Background
Born June 22, 1984, Melissa attended several years at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University studying Aeronautical Science and Mathematics. Melissa was a champion rock climber throughout high school, winning numerous competitions and served as the president of ERAU's Bouldering Crew in Prescott, AZ. In her freshman year, Melissa, along with her roommate Amanda, played for the ERAU Men's Soccer Club and subsequently started the first school-sponsored Women's Varsity soccer team.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Melissa was introduced to aviation and aerobatics by her flying grandmother in a Cessna 150 Aerobat - the same airplane she took to EAA AirVenture as a newly minted private pilot in 2002 after learning to fly with her grandfather, Leo Janssens . During her 2003 trip to Oshkosh, Melissa saw the "Stars of Tomorrow 2003". Inspired by the program's outreach to young pilots, Melissa returned to Arizona with a determination to learn and compete in Aerobatics and began training with Major General Hank Canterbury. In less than one year under the coaching of Sergei Boriak and the mentoring of Wayne Handley, Melissa went from first-time Aerobatic Contestant at the Sportsman Level to Third Place Overall in Intermediate at the 2004 U.S. National Championships (1st place Unknown, 2nd place Known, 3rd place Freestyle) and began to fly her first air shows.
Melissa became the youngest female ever to be a member of the US Unlimited Aerobatic Team at the 2006 Nationals but will not be competing in the 2007 World Aerobatic Championships. Instead she is spending her season touring around Australia with her Edge.
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