About Mike Hartman Airshows
A Life in Flight,
Fueled by Passion
For Mike Hartman, flying isn’t just something he does, it’s part of who he is. His story begins in the skies over Dayton, Ohio, where at just nine years old, he took the controls of an airplane for the first time. That moment, soaring above Moraine Airpark with an instructor, lit a spark that never went out.
With the support of his family, Mike soloed a glider at 14 and a J-3 Cub at 16. From there, the cockpit became his second home. Over the decades, he’s flown everything from Wacos and Stearmans to the P-51 Mustang, teaching pilots around the world and preserving the art of vintage aviation.
From Daydreams
to Cuban 8s
Growing up, Mike would watch Waco biplanes pass overhead in perfect formation, heading to air shows. He saw them perform at Kings Island amusement park and dreamed of joining their ranks. That dream came full circle in 2020, when Mike debuted his own air show routine in the 1947 North American Navion.
This postwar, four-seat general aviation aircraft wasn’t specifically designed for loops and rolls. But thanks to the rugged nature of the Navion and countless hours of precision training, Mike transformed it into something extraordinary. His performance is now the only aerobatic Navion routine on the air show circuit.
The Navion:
A Postwar Legacy
The Navion was designed by North American Aviation post-WWII as a civilian, general aviation aircraft and was part of the postwar general aviation boom. A military version designated the L-17 was produced as well. North American produced the aircraft originally from 1946 into 1947. The North American aircraft totaled around 1,109. Ryan Aeronautical produced the aircraft starting in 1948 and continuing until 1951. You can still see many Navions flying today! However, Mike’s airshow routine comes with a “Do not try this at home in your Navion!” disclaimer.
Mike’s connection to the Navion runs deep. Originally owned by a close friend, the two had plans to turn it into a show plane together. After his friend’s passing in 2019, Mike became the caretaker of both the aircraft and the dream.
Today, he honors that legacy in every performance.
With its largely stock configuration and only minimal modifications, Mike’s Navion bridges past and present. Its post-WWII engineering echoes a time when aviation was leaping into a new era.
Mike’s routine captures that spirit with smooth, graceful aerobatics — a kind of aerial ballet set against the roar of a 285-horsepower engine and a trail of crowd-pleasing smoke.
A Routine Unlike Any Other
Spectators often tell him, “I’ve never seen a Navion do that,” or “That was my favorite act of the day.”
It’s not just the plane, it’s the passion behind the performance.
Every maneuver reflects Mike’s years of training, his respect for safety and precision, and the memory of the friend who first believed in the Navion’s potential.
Meet Kathy – The Heart of the Operation
Behind every great pilot is someone who keeps things running smoothly on the ground. For Mike, that’s his wife, Kathy.
If you spot her at a show, she’s likely sporting green to match the Navion’s signature stripe — #airshowgreen — and handling everything from bookings to logistics. “I do all the work except the flying,” she jokes, “and he gets all the glory.”
Kathy’s fingerprints are on every part of the operation. She manages the details, supports the dream, and brings a touch of creativity and humor to the team. She still remembers Mike’s first official show in Anderson, Indiana — how nervous she was, how proud she felt, and how it all came together after years of hard work.
Doing What You Love, Every Time You Fly
Air shows are more than performances—they’re magical moments where history, inspiration, and heart come together. Mike considers it a privilege to be part of that magic.
His message to the crowd is simple but powerful:
“There’s a difference between a pilot and an aviator. An aviator has passion, humility, and gratitude. That’s what you see in every performer, volunteer, and supporter at an air show. If watching us inspires you to fly, don’t be afraid to ask how we got here. We’re always happy to share.”
Mike’s philosophy?
Don’t wait to do what you love.
Set your goals.
Chase them.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll feel the same goosebumps every time you take off, just like he still does today.