High above Oshkosh: UND aviators set to wow AirVenture crowds
In late July, UND Assistant Professor of Aviation Michael Lents is set to perform at the world-famous EAA AirVenture airshow in Oshkosh, Wis., alongside Jeff Boerboon, a UND graduate who is a two-time Advanced National Aerobatic Champion.
While the airshow schedule is likely to vary, Lents is anticipated to fly around 4 p.m. on July 20 and 3 p.m. on July 21.
Lents will be performing in a UND Aerospace-themed American Champion Decathlon, a two-seat, fixed landing gear light airplane, during the show, with meet & greets scheduled both before and after his flights. When he’s not flying at the airshow, Lents will be found at the International Aerobatic Club Pavillion near the Airshow Center, as well as at the UND Aerospace booth during AirVenture (Booth number 65 on James Ray Blvd.).
Lents has a history of performing in aerobatic competitions, earning a title as a U.S. National Champion and three-time USA Advanced Aerobatic Team member. At UND, in addition to serving as a professor and flight instructor, he has coached the Aerobatic Team to 12 national collegiate championships.
The current U.S. National Unlimited Aerobatic champion, Boerboon is a five-time UAS Unlimited Aerobatic Team member and serves as captain of the team. Boerboon has earned many spots on U.S. aerobatic teams, representing the United States in international competitions. He’s also recognized as a member of the UND Aerospace Hall of Fame.
During the event, he will be flying AURA AERO’s Integral R aerobatic trainer.
Boerboon and Lents look forward to highlighting the precision and excitement of competitive aerobatics.
“Airshows inspired me to dig into aviation and spurred that desire to take to the skies,” Lents said. “The freedom coupled with the responsibility of safely extracting all the performance available make aerobatic flight challenging, inspirational and rewarding.
“Sharing the experience of that first loop, roll or spin, whether with students or with a crowd, reinvigorates our passion for flight. It rewards the urge to set and achieve challenging goals.”
Lents is also set to perform later this summer during the Williston Basin Airshow in Williston, N.D., on Aug. 15. More information about Boerboon and Lents can be found on the International Aerobatic Club’s website.
