Rick Volker: The Performer

Rick Volker is an International Aerobatic Club pilot in the unlimited category with a surface waiver. He has won numerous regional events such as the Can-Am, Henry Haigh and Kathy Jaffe Challenges. Rick is a former competitor in athletic events such as swimming, speed skating, bicycle racing, cross-country skiing and body building. Such is the type of conditioning required to fly at this level, as it tests the limits of human endurance. Rick alternates between plus-11 and minus-9 Gs often in the same maneuver. Unlimited pilots train for this type of extreme flying with the same intensity as any other fitness sport.

He has competed in aerobatic competitions for many years in high performance aircraft such as the Pitts Biplanes and Sukhoi monoplanes. Rick also flies the spectacular WWII Supermarine Spitfire MK IX for The Russell Group. Rick is one of a few pilots in the world qualified to fly the rare Messerschmitt Bf109E, the benchmark for fighter design at the beginning of World War ll. His other qualifications include the Hawker Hurricane MK XII and the Harvard IIB. He was asked by the Canadian Forces to join their exclusive Heritage Flight team where he has flown in close formation with the CF-18 fighter. Rick teaches advanced aerobatics to pilots in their own aircraft as well as warbird emergency training in the Extra 300L. He is both a warbird and High Performance aerobatic ACE (Aerobatic Competency Evaluator).

Rick is featured on the PBS series “The Aviators” Season 1, Episode 8.