Dr. Frank Donnelly (Dr. D) and his 1946 Taylorcraft are bringing back old-time aerobatics!

A proven performer, Dr. Frank Donnelly has flown more than 100 performances at 40 air shows and holds a ground-level waiver. He delivers a slow-motion, captivating aerial display that provides non-stop excitement for everyone.

Donnelly started flying aerobatics in a World-War II-era PT-26 Fairchild trainer. Later he graduated to a 1952 British Royal Air Force Chipmunk.

Inspired by air show great Duane Cole, who wowed spectators flying his clipped-wing Taylorcraft from the 50s to the 80s, Donnelly revived Cole’s act and developed his own style of flying. “I want to show people what an old-time airplane can do and have fun doing it!” he says.

Donnelly’s interest in aviation started young. He was just six years old when his father took him to his first air show, and he yearned to fly from then on. His first flight was in a Piper Cub when he was 10 years old, but it wasn’t until many years later that he earned his private pilot’s license. Today, Donnelly has over 6000 hours and holds commercial pilot single-engine land and private pilot glider ratings, and he’s also certified as a glider tow pilot. He has about 8,000 tows in his logbook.

Not content just to fly airplanes, Donnelly also services them. He holds the highest FAA mechanic ratings possible: Aircraft Inspector Authorization and Airframe/Powerplant. In 2001, Donnelly was honored to serve as the mechanic for the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatic Team when they competed in the World Air Games in Burgos.

Donnelly is a retired psychology professor from Azusa Pacific University. When he’s not flying, he enjoys off-road motorcycle riding and hiking. Donnelly lives in San Dimas, California with his wife Geri and dog Penny.

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