Matt Tanner’s flying experience began 18 years ago in his best friend's basement in Snellville, GA. Together, they built remote control airplanes and flew in the pasture behind the house. Inspired by his buddy who got his private pilot certificate, Matt began taking flying lessons himself at the age of 17. Matt worked at the airport fueling airplanes to pay for his flight lessons. His first aerobatic ride was in a Boeing PT-17 Stearman, a World War 2 biplane primary trainer.
Loops and rolls in the open cockpit Stearman were amazing, but when Matt got an aerobatic ride in an Extra 300, he knew he was hooked! "We had just done a spin and were pointing straight at the ground, it was the coolest view I had ever had in an airplane. But then we went full throttle and accelerated straight down! I could feel myself getting pushed back into my seat like I was in a drag racer. That's when I knew I was going to be an aerobatic pilot!"
Since then, Matt became a Flight Instructor and since 2002 has shared his love of aviation with his students. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Aviation Management in 2003. Soon after graduating, Matt and his wife, Amber, moved to Colorado where he taught United States Air Force Academy Cadets to fly through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University's Initial Flight Training program.
In 2008, Matt purchased a Pitts Special aerobatic biplane and two weeks later entered his first International Aerobatic Club contest. Since that first contest, Matt has flown in numerous regional IAC competitions across the country, as well as the US National Aerobatic Championship in 2009 and 2010.
Loops and rolls in the open cockpit Stearman were amazing, but when Matt got an aerobatic ride in an Extra 300, he knew he was hooked! "We had just done a spin and were pointing straight at the ground, it was the coolest view I had ever had in an airplane. But then we went full throttle and accelerated straight down! I could feel myself getting pushed back into my seat like I was in a drag racer. That's when I knew I was going to be an aerobatic pilot!"
Since then, Matt became a Flight Instructor and since 2002 has shared his love of aviation with his students. He graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Aviation Management in 2003. Soon after graduating, Matt and his wife, Amber, moved to Colorado where he taught United States Air Force Academy Cadets to fly through Embry Riddle Aeronautical University's Initial Flight Training program.
In 2008, Matt purchased a Pitts Special aerobatic biplane and two weeks later entered his first International Aerobatic Club contest. Since that first contest, Matt has flown in numerous regional IAC competitions across the country, as well as the US National Aerobatic Championship in 2009 and 2010.
Some of his awards include Highest Scoring Pitts Pilot, numerous top three finishes, multiple first place trophies, silver medal in the Known sequence at the US Nationals, and the Rick Bobbitt Memorial Trophy for the best new/move up pilot of 2009.
Matt has done solo and formation aerobatic training with airshow legends Sean D. Tucker and Wayne Handley. He holds a Level 3 SAC waiver for formation and solo aerobatics. His new plane is the Laser Z300, a 300 horsepower unlimited aerobatic plane. Matt flies right wing the Laser on his formation team with Greg Baker of Rocky Mountain Airsports as the lead in the Pitts S-2C.
Currently, Matt is an Instructor Pilot for Doss Aviation where he teaches Air Force pilot candidates to fly in Pueblo, CO. As the Gateway to USAF Aviation, Doss provides initial flying training to allow students to successfully transition to Undergraduate Flying Training (Pilot and Combat System Officer) at one of several Air Force bases throughout the United States.
Matt is proud to be sponsored by Doss Aviation. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife, Amber, and their two boys, Jonathan and Luke. They enjoy camping, snow skiing, and serving God through aviation.
Matt has done solo and formation aerobatic training with airshow legends Sean D. Tucker and Wayne Handley. He holds a Level 3 SAC waiver for formation and solo aerobatics. His new plane is the Laser Z300, a 300 horsepower unlimited aerobatic plane. Matt flies right wing the Laser on his formation team with Greg Baker of Rocky Mountain Airsports as the lead in the Pitts S-2C.
Currently, Matt is an Instructor Pilot for Doss Aviation where he teaches Air Force pilot candidates to fly in Pueblo, CO. As the Gateway to USAF Aviation, Doss provides initial flying training to allow students to successfully transition to Undergraduate Flying Training (Pilot and Combat System Officer) at one of several Air Force bases throughout the United States.
Matt is proud to be sponsored by Doss Aviation. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife, Amber, and their two boys, Jonathan and Luke. They enjoy camping, snow skiing, and serving God through aviation.
