His Hobbies…
Michael’s “need for speed” is not limited to flying aerobatics! During the off season Mike plays competitive ice hockey twice per week, and skis with his air show friends. In the summer, when he’s not practicing or performing, he can be found improving his golf game. He is an avid F1 racing fan and if he could switch jobs with anyone in the world it would be with F1 driver, Juan Montoya!

His Coach…
Michael’s main aerobatic coach, Sergei Boriak, has spent the better part of a decade helping Michael create and improve his very unique, hard hitting style that has become the Michael Goulian signature. Mike thoroughly believes that training with his coach is vital to enhancing his performance each year. Sergei, born in Kazakhstan, is considered one of the premier aerobatic trainers in the world. He is also the past coach of the US World Aerobatic Team.

His starting point…
His family founded one of the largest flying schools in the Northeast, Executive Flyers Aviation (EFA) in 1964. Michael learned the aviation business from the ground up by washing airplanes and sweeping the hangar floor. Being around airplanes at such a young age, Michael was bitten by the flying bug so it was only natural for Mike to learn to fly before he could even drive a car.

His aviation career…
Michael started flying lessons in 1984 and soloed a Cessna 150 on his 16th birthday. Michael’s yearning to fly aerobatics was so strong that he began his aerobatic training in 1985 while still a student pilot. Once he became and aerobatic instructor, Michael established an aerobatic school within EFA using a Decathlon trainer, and supplemented his income as a corporate jet pilot while working his way toward the top ranks of air show display flying and competition aerobatics. Following a shower of regional titles he gained national recognition when at age 22 he became US National Champion in the Advanced Category. A year later he won the prestigious Fond du Lac Cup invitational competition and by 1992 he was the top ranked US male aerobatic pilot and Silver Medalist in the Unlimited Category, an achievement he repeated in 1993. His performance earned him a spot on the 1994 US National Aerobatic Team which represented America at the World Aerobatic Championship held in Hungary. In 1995 Mike reached the pinnacle of American aerobatics by becoming the US National Champion in the Unlimited Category. Not one to rest on his laurels, Mike has been a member of the 1994, 96, & 98 US Aerobatic Teams. Today, Mike focuses his attention on airshow flying and he is pushing the envelope with the goal of leading the industry to new heights entertainment and professionalism.

His corporate partners…
Michael’s outstanding competition performance quickly launched him into the upper echelons of air show display flying throughout the United States, and has attracted important corporate affiliations. In 1995 he was a member of the Toyota Airsports team, and also Breitling Swiss Chronograph Company. Today, Mike is proud to be partnered with Air BP’s Castrol Aviator brand of piston aviation oils, Aubuchon Hardware, Avidyne Corporation, Champion Aerospace, Hartzell, Lycoming, Oxford Aviation, Sennheiser, and Tempest.

His commitment…
Aerobatics has been generous to Michael, and he feels a strong commitment to contributing to the future development of the sport. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of the International Council of Airshows (ICAS), and supporting the International Aerobatic Club (IAC) by giving lectures to local chapters and promoting the regional aerobatic contests. He is also an Aerobatic Competency Evaluator, helping fledgling aerobatic performers launch their careers in air show display flying. In 2003, Mike, along with Sean D. Tucker, mentored six future air show pilots to kick off the new program, “Stars of Tomorrow”, to introduce young talent to the Oshkosh AirVenture audience.

His focus on safety…
Michael is a perfectionist. This is proven by his attention to detail with maintaining his Castrol Aviator CAP232 showplane in top shape during the season (and sparkling with The Proper Aircraft cleaning products). Each winter the Castrol Aviator CAP 232 goes through a complete overhaul to ensure structural and mechanical integrity. Michael’s performance in the air keeps its edge due to his fitness regimen throughout the year, spending time with a coach to develop his own personal training routine.

His books…
Michael is co-author of a series of best-selling aerobatic training books published by McGraw Hill. Basic and Advanced Aerobatics have become the industry standard for aerobatic flight training manuals.

During his air show career, Michael has developed a strong personality in the air show community as one of the most approachable, likeable and professional performers on the circuit. Take time to meet Mike after any of his air shows this summer.

Check out Michael’s website, www.mikegoulian.com, for more about his aerobatics.