Don Nelson Air Shows

Don Nelson is one of the most experienced pilots in the air show business, and that experience shows when he performs.  Don is based out of Aurora Colorado and often flies shows from field elevations above 5000 feet.

Don started his career in Alaska as a bush pilot, one of the toughest flying jobs in the world. He went on to another tough job in the U.S. Army as forward air controller in the L-19 Bird Dog, later re-designated as the O-1. (Some people think Bird Dog is Vietnamese for slow moving target.) He received 18 air medals for his combat flying time.

Don went on to become a United Air Lines pilot, starting out in the DC-6 and DC-7 and retiring as a Captain flying Boeing 767s

Don’s aerobatic career is marked by several competition wins in the unlimited category.

Don’s airplane, the Sukhoi SU-26, is one of the best aerobatic performers in the world. There is no mistaking the distinctive sound of the counter-clockwise rotating prop powered by a 9-cylinder, 400 horsepower engine. With a roll rate of more than 400 degrees per second and G-loading of plus and minus 10, Don’s ability to perform is not limited by his airplane.