It is with shock and very heavy hearts that the IAC expresses its deepest condolences to the friends, family, and aerobatic community who loved airshow pilot Rob Holland, who passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Holland was flying his MXS-RH aircraft at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia when an unknown issue occurred and the aircraft crashed. FAA and NTSB investigations are ongoing, and the cause of the accident has not been determined.
Rob Holland is a legendary aerobatic pilot who has been flying air shows for over twenty years and recently acquired title sponsorship by Aeroshell. Some of his other flying accomplishments include 13 consecutive National U.S. Aerobatic Championships, six World 4-Minute Freestyle wins, 14 U.S. 4-Minute Freestyle wins, 37 medals in international competition, and the Art Scholl Award for Showmanship in 2012. Credited with special mastery of his MXS and the invention of new aerobatic maneuvers and techniques, Holland has stunned crowds at many years of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and been a cornerstone of the aerobatic world whose bright presence will be dearly missed and forever remembered.
IAC President Jim Bourke stated, "Rob's incredible flying skills and exemplary character are renowned. He will be remembered as a friend, a mentor, a leader, and an innovator. His willingness to share what he learned was remarkable. Those who became close with Rob found he was more clever than he liked to admit, and more humble than anyone had a right to expect. He loved laughter and hard work, and pushed us all to be better. He revolutionized our sport, not just within the USA but on the world stage, arriving on the aerobatic competition scene like a wrecking ball laying waste to everyone who challenged him. And his best was still yet to come. We mourn this terrible, profound, and untimely loss with the entire aerobatic community. To Rob's family: words cannot express our grief over your loss, but we are so glad we were able to share Rob Holland with you."
