16 Facts About Mike Mangold

Michael Eugene Mangold was an American aviator whose career spanned the United States Air Force, commercial airlines, and aerobatics.

Mike Mangold competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Series from 2004 through 2009, where he repeatedly placed first and won the World Championship in the 2005 World Series, as well as the 2007 World Series.

Mike Mangold was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was the oldest of three children.

Mike Mangold moved to California at 3 years old and then to Pennsylvania for his high school years.

Mike Mangold began his aviation career in 1974 as a skydiver while attending the United States Air Force Academy.

Mike Mangold graduated first in his class in 1983 and earned the "Outstanding Graduate" award.

Mike Mangold flew Phantoms for the USAF for about 10 years.

Mike Mangold was a member of the US Parachute Team from 1981 to 1985 and won multiple national awards as a skydiver.

Mike Mangold participated in a record-setting formation skydive in Anapa, Russia in 1996 as one of 296 parachutists.

Mike Mangold started his competitive aerobatic and air show career in 1990, flying a Super Decathlon.

Mike Mangold went on to win medals at the US National Aerobatic Championship, as well as the L Paul Soucy Award from the International Aerobatic Club in 2002 as the highest-scoring unlimited pilot of the year.

Mike Mangold first participated in the Red Bull Air Race in 2004 and raced in the competition until 2009, winning the World Series in 2005 and 2007.

In 2010, Mike Mangold retired from active Red Bull Air Racing, and became the RBAR rookie coach, as well as an air race commentator, including for FOX Sports.

Mike Mangold served for four years as president of the Racing Jets International board of directors, presiding over the Reno Air Race until 2013.

Mike Mangold sat on the board of directors for the Classic Jet Aircraft Association.

Mike Mangold was survived by his wife Julie, an aerobatic pilot, and their children Nick and Melissa.