Brian Norris
As the son of a Marine Corps A-4 Skyhawk and AV-8B Harrier pilot, Brian Norris knew that he wanted to be a pilot from an early age. His goal of becoming a Marine aviator like his father was not to be, as a knee injury while in his final week of Officer Candidate’s School caused his early discharge from the program.
Brian was already well on his way to a life in the sky though, as he first soloed gliders at age 14 in Jean, NV, and powered aircraft at age 16 in Montrose, CO. After high school he studied physics at Western State College in Gunnison, CO and ultimately earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Aeronautics & Aviation Safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Beginning in 1989, Brian spent the next 24 years in a variety of roles for renowned airshow performer Sean D. Tucker, including Operations Coordinator, narrator, mechanic, ferry pilot, ride pilot, and photo pilot, becoming one of the most respected airshow support pilots in the industry. In that time he participated in more than 600 airshows all across North America, the Bahamas, and even Japan.
After he earned his Private Pilots License, Brian continued to add ratings throughout the years including Instrument, CFI, CFII, MEI, Glider, Single-Engine Seaplane and ATP. To date, he has logged more than 11,000 hours in 90 different types of aircraft. In addition, he is an FAA certified Airframe & Powerplant mechanic (A&P) and holds his FAA Inspection Authorization (IA). For fun Brian is currently working on his helicopter rating.
In 2008 Brian married his wife, Devan, and they moved to the Spruce Creek Fly-In community in Port Orange, FL near Daytona Beach. It was there that Brian became hooked on flying warbirds. He started out with the T-6 Texan and the PT-17 Stearman and over the last 12 years has considered himself to be very fortunate to fly the Grumman TBM Avenger, The Douglas A-1E Skyraider and several variants of his all-time favorite aircraft, the the P-51 Mustang. He has also obtained a few hours as copilot on the B-25, B-24 and B-17.
When not instructing at Stallion 51, Brian flies and maintains a variety of aircraft for his customers including two T-6’s, a P-51D, two Extra 300’s, a SF.260 Marchetti, SR-9C Stinson Reliant, a Citation M2 and a Pilatus PC-12NGX.