Skip Holm – a highly-accomplished Air Force fighter pilot, Skunk Works test pilot, air show and race pilot, and movie pilot – will be the final speaker for the 2024 Aviation Adventure Speaker Series at the EAA Aviation Museum. Join us on Thursday, November 21, at 7 p.m. to learn more about Skip’s storied career, the various world records he’s set through the years, and his motivating drive to “recognize the moment.”
Starting his aviation career in the Air Force in the late 1960s, Lt. Col. Holm flew hundreds of combat missions as a fighter pilot – garnering a record 1,072 combat hours – in aircraft such as the F-105 and F-4 over his nearly 38-year career. In that time, he graduated from every Air Force flying school, including the USAF Test Pilot School. Skip used these skills to serve as Lockheed’s Skunk Works division engineering test pilot for nearly 20 years, reporting on aircraft such as the U-2R and F-22.
As a civilian, Skip is known for taking home the gold and breaking records in air races. He has won gold numerous times at the Reno Unlimited Air Races and other competitions. Skip set the world closed speed record for a reciprocating-engine, propeller-driven aircraft in 1981, 2002, 2003, and 2004 in modified P-51s Jeannie and Dago Red, as well as many other records and awards.
In his presentation, Skip will explain what has motivated him to seize the moment and take advantage of the opportunities presented to him. “I have always used a real simple thing to determine what I should be doing. I’ve changed my career over and over and over now… I always use a little one-liner that says, ‘Recognize the moment,’” he said. “If you only knew what was in store for you, you’d be amazed by all of the things you didn’t take advantage of.”
Skip has also performed aerobatic air show routines in jets like the T-33 Red Knight, an F-86, L-39, and many more. Taking his impressive flying skills to the silver screen, he served as pilot and aerial coordinator for productions such as Hot Shots! and The Right Stuff, among many other movies, commercials, and TV series.
Through all the eras of his career, Skip’s favorite part is quite simple: “Flying, of course. I guess that shows. They always ask, ‘Do you want the fastest airplane on the block?’ And I say, ‘No, actually, I want the one just like the neighbor has.’ It could be anything,” he said. “It’s best to have something that you can share the same experience with someone.”
Thursday’s presentation is free for EAA members and youths, and just $5 for nonmembers.
If you’re unable to attend, all Aviation Adventure Speaker Series presentations are recorded and will be available to members to watch here at a later date.