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Kirby Chambliss
Kirby Chambliss
	Chambliss in 2010
Born	October 18, 1959 (age 65)
Nationality	United States
Spouse	Kellie Chambliss
Website	teamchambliss.com

Kirby Chambliss (born October 18, 1959 in Corpus Christi, Texas) is an American world champion aerobatic and air race pilot who raced in the Red Bull Air Race World Series under the Red Bull brand.

Biography

Chambliss competing at the 2017 Red Bull Air Race of Chiba

Chambliss was born at Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. As a boy, he wanted to be a pilot. Chambliss became inspired by watching his father professionally skydive growing up, and was fascinated with the aerial stunts the plane would undergo while chasing the divers as they fell.^[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 first contest, Chambliss worked his 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 27,000 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 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 teammate Hungarian Péter Besenyei. He was the champion of 2004,^[2] and finished the 2006 Series as the champion again with four wins of eight rounds in his Zivko Edge 540 aircraft.^[2] 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 in Arizona, United States.

On January 24, 2020, one of Kirby’s planes was involved in a fatal aircraft crash at Iztapa Airport in Escuintla while under control of his friend Steve Andelin. Steve and two ground spectators were killed in the crash.^[4]

Racing record

Complete Red Bull Air Race World Championship results

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	DNP	3rd											4	0	3rd
2004	1st	1st	2nd										17	2	1st
2005	9th	4th	4th	DNS	2nd	2nd	2nd						21	0	3rd
2006	1st	3rd	1st	CAN	1st	5th	3rd	1st	3rd				38	4	1st
2007	4th	6th	4th	3rd	CAN	5th	5th	2nd	5th	2nd	CAN	6th	28	0	4th
2008	5th	3rd	1st	CAN	4th	1st	12th	2nd	CAN	8th			46	2	4th
2009	9th	12th	3rd	3rd	8th	5th							34	0	4th
2010	6th	8th	5th	3rd	3rd	6th	CAN	CAN					41	0	4th
Series not held between 2011 and 2013
2014	11th	10th	9th	4th	10th	10th	11th	7th					7	0	10th
2015	DNS	7th	11th	10th	12th	3rd	11th	12th					9	0	11th
2016	4th	6th	3rd	4th	9th	8th	14th	CAN					30.25	0	8th
2017	11th	4th	8th	1st	1st	4th	6th	10th					53	2	4th
2018	3rd	12th	13th	10th	3rd	7th	8th	3rd					34	0	6th
2019	8th												11	0	8th
Total													229	8

Legend:

CAN: Cancelled
DNP: Did not participate
DNS: Did not show
DQ: Disqualified
NC: Not classified

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Cunningham, Ross. "Flight Fest to feature national aerobatic champion". Matagorda County Advocate, June 30, 2005, p. 3E. Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c Main, Tyler L. "Born with wings - Red Bull flyer Kirby Chambliss shares experience, life, career before base air show" Archived February 24, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Marine Corps Base Hawaii, August 6, 2010. Retrieved on May 25, 2013.
^ "Chambliss Reportedly OK After Crash in El Salvador". Archived from the original on December 30, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2013.
^ https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/232428. Aviation Safety Database. Last updated 25 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020

External links

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