2019 SPEAKERS
2019 KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Major Brian Shul Author & pilot, USAF, retired
Photo:Brian Shul
fearlessly and embracing the opportunities each day brings, resonates with audiences of all ages. Shul uses his aviation images and stories to tell an inspiring story of hope (despite awesome obstacles) and the bravery to dream. From lying near death in the jungles of Southeast Asia to flying the world’s fastest jet, Shul’s unforgettable presentation both inspires and educates.
This was a remarkable accomplishment considering that it required an astronaut physical to qualify for the plane that routinely flew above 95% of the earth’s atmosphere. Only 93 Air Force pilots in history ever flew the SR-71, still the fastest plane ever built. Brian retired from the Air Force in 1990, and pursued his writing interests. After 20 years as an Air Force fighter pilot, Brian Shul today is an accomplished author, speaker, and photographer. His book, Sled Driver, earned him the Aviation Book of the Year honors from the Smithsonian. He has written four other aviation books, for which he did all the flying, writing, and photography.
Flying air support missions in Vietnam in the AT-28D aircraft, Shul flew 212 missions before his aircraft was shot down. Severely injured in the crash he was given little chance of survival. He endured 15 reconstructive surgeries and after countless hours of physical therapy, Shul surprised his doctors and returned to flying jets.
Shul is a recipient of the National Spirit of Freedom Award, the prestigious Silver Eagle Award, and recently was inducted into the Air Force Legends Hall of Fame. He finished his flying career with 5000 hours, having flown the T-28A/B/C, AT-28D, A-7D, A-10, F-5B, F-100, F-15, and SR-71.
Shul flew the A-7D, and was in the very first A-10 squadron, becoming an airshow demonstration pilot. Brian also taught at the Air Force’s TOPGUN School and culminated his Air Force career with selection to fly the world’s premier spy plane, the SR-71.
Mr. Shul will be speaking Saturday and Sunday at 1:00 PM in the Keynote area. He will also be available all weekend at booth #703 with copies of his books for purchase and signing.
1:00 PM SAT & SUN, FEB 23– 24 THE SPEED OF LIFE – PERSEVERANCE AND TRIUMPH OVER TRAGEDY
Brian Shul’s compelling story of living
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MIKE ADAMS, Senior Vice President of Underwriting, is an instrument-rated pilot, a Northwest native and the former President of the Oregon Pilots Association. Mike holds a property/casualty insurance license in all 50 states. His more than 35 years of combined experience of general aviation and the aviation insurance industry helps pilots to understand why many of Avemco’s coverages and underwriting decisions are designed to help keep you safe. AMY HOOVER has been flying commercially and teaching backcountry flying for more than 25 years. She has over 7,000 hours of flight time, more than 2/3 of it in the Idaho backcountry, and is an original co-founder of the Mountain/Canyon Flying School in McCall, Idaho. Hoover is the primary author of the new book Mountain, Canyon, and Backcountry Flying, and has given more than 100 presentations in various forums throughout the U.S. She holds a Ph.D. in Education and is a Professor of Aviation at Central Washington University. STEVE MCCAUGHEY has been the Executive Director of the Seaplane Pilots Association since 2011. His aviation experiences have taken him from Alaska to Australia – and everywhere in between.
