PILOT QUALIFICATIONS 

  • Multi-Instrument-Commercial and Over 1300 Hours of Time in High Performance Aerobatic Aircraft
  • Keynote Speaker at the 99's International Convention on Aerobatics and Safety
  • United States Unlimited Aerobatics Team Member 2006-2007 as the Youngest Female Ever
  • Coached by:  Sergei Boriak, World Champions Victor Smolin and Patric Paris, Elena Klimovich, Major General and Former Thunderbird Hank Canterbury, US Team Coaches Alan Geringer and John Morrissey
  • ACE:  Wayne Handley for Low Level, Mike Goulian for Formation
  • Multiple First Place Finishes at Regional Aerobatic Competitions
  • 4 Time Winner of the "Pitts Trophy"
  • Northwest and Southwest Intermediate Regional Aerobatic Champion 2004
  • Intermediate "Unknown" Champion Nationals 2004 and Three Time National's Medalist
  • Collegiate Aerobatic Champion 2004 and 2006
  • South-Central Unlimited Regional Aerobatic Champion 2006
  • Member of "Rivalry" Air Show Team with Rob Holland… this Team Conducted Formation Aerobatics, Squirrel Cage Aerobatics, Tail Chases, and Individual Demonstrations and were Invited to Take Part in Shows Across the Country
  • Member of "Stars of Tomorrow 2005"… this Team did both Formation and Solo Aerobatic Demonstrations and were Invited to Such Air Shows as Pittsburgh, Detroit and Oshkosh
  • Some other Air Shows Melissa has flown in and been Invited to:  Paraiso Winery Air Show, Pine Mountain Lake Air Show, Rock 'n Rib Fest Air Show Anheuser-Busch Facility, Seward 4 th of July Air Show, Geneseo New York Air Show, Rockland Maine Air Show and Al Ain United Arab Emirates Air Show

NOTE:  Melissa is also licensed in the United Kingdom under the CAA as well as Australia under CASA  and is extremely interested in any International Air Show Venues.

Thank You!

Melissa, born June 22, 1984, attended several years at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University studying Aeronautical Science and Mathematics.  Melissa was a champion rock climber throughout high school, winning numerous competitions and served as the president of ERAU's Bouldering Crew in Prescott, AZ. In her freshman year, Melissa, along with her roommate Amanda, played for the ERAU Men's Soccer Club and subsequently started the first school-sponsored Women's Varsity soccer team.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Melissa was introduced to aviation and aerobatics by her flying grandmother in a Cessna 150 Aerobat - the same airplane she took to EAA AirVenture as a newly minted private pilot in 2002 after learning to fly with her grandfather, Leo Janssens . During her 2003 trip to Oshkosh, Melissa saw the "Stars of Tomorrow 2003" program, sponsored by Sean D. Tucker and Mike Goulian. They mentored six future air show pilots to start the new program and introduce young talent to the Oshkosh AirVenture audience.

Inspired by the program's outreach to young pilots, Melissa returned to Arizona with a determination to learn and compete in Aerobatics and began training with Major General Hank Canterbury. In less than one year under the coaching of Sergei Boriak and the mentoring of Wayne Handley, Melissa went from first-time Aerobatic Contestant at the Sportsman Level to Third Place Overall in Intermediate at the 2004 U.S. National Championships (1st place Unknown, 2nd place Known, 3rd place Freestyle) and began to fly her first airshows. On October 26, 2004, Sean D. Tucker invited Melissa to be one of three pilots chosen for the "Stars of Tomorrow 2005."  (Due to unforeseen circumstances, Melissa was unable to continue in the program).
 
After competing at the Advanced level with her Pitts S-2C while achieving her "Building, Antenna, Span and Earth" jumps in 2005, Melissa received delivery of her new Zivco Edge 540.  In the summer of 2006 she began competing at the Unlimited level in which she placed 1st at her first competition of the season.   Melissa became the youngest female ever to be a member of the US Unlimited Aerobatic Team at the 2006 Nationals but will not be competing in the 2007 World Aerobatic Championships.  Instead she is spending her season touring around Australia with her Edge.
 
In addition to her own airshow act Melissa is flying in an action packed “Bi-Plane vs. Mono-Plane” meets “Battle of the Sexes” act with Rob Holland in his Ultimate Bi-Plane.  Check them out at www.rivalryairshows.com.

Melissa's other activities include skydiving (freefly and wingsuit, 300+ jumps), B.A.S.E. jumping (100+ jumps), Bungee Jumping, snow boarding, skiing, scuba diving, dredging for gold, running marathons, biking, photography, drawing and painting.

Melissa strives to be a positive role model and inspiration to young people in aviation and women across the world showing them that no dream is too big and nothing is impossible! She was a keynote speaker at the 99's International Convention in 2006 and is always looking for invitations to share her dreams and experiences with others.