Patrick
McAlee

Patrick McAlee has spent his life on both sides of the cockpit door. He has built aircraft, maintained them, taught other pilots to fly them, and flown them in national competition, before ever bringing that experience to an airshow crowd.

Patrick’s story started in St. Louis, Missouri, where his father and uncle both flew for the airlines. His father, who worked on the Gemini space program before flying for Ozark Airlines, began teaching Patrick to fly at age five. Patrick and his father later built two award-winning biplanes together, work that shaped how Patrick understands aircraft to this day.

Patrick earned his pilot certificate as a teenager and went on to become a flight instructor. In 2006, inspired by watching airshow performer Sean D. Tucker at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, he trained at the Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety under instructors including Ben Freelove, learning advanced aerobatic maneuvers and recovery techniques. That training led him into competitive aerobatics with the International Aerobatic Club, where he spent roughly five years, earned multiple wins, and never finished outside the national top ten.

Patrick built his airline career alongside his aerobatic one. He joined Republic Airways in 2004 and was upgraded to captain on Embraer regional jets by 2006, a position he still holds today.  18,000+ flight hours across 30 aircraft types figure is still current.He also holds his A&P mechanic certification, giving him a working knowledge of the aircraft he flies that goes beyond the cockpit.

Alongside his wife Natalia, Patrick brings that same combination of precision and accessibility to every event, pairing his aerial routine in the Blue Demon with hands-on STEAM programming for families and kids.

Patrick is grateful for the sponsors and supporters who make this work possible.