Leo Loudenslager

Leo Loudenslager (1944 to 1997) was an American aerobatic pilot who won seven United States Aerobatic Championships and the 1980 World Aerobatics Championship. He grew up in Ohio, served in the Air Force as a B-52 mechanic and was inspired to fly at the first Reno Air Races in 1964. From 1966 until his death he flew for American Airlines. He built a Stephens Akro aerobatic plane in 1970, competed from 1971, and after a series of modifications renamed it the Laser 200 in 1975. He also flew airshows, sponsored by Bud Light, and appeared in the 1980 film Cloud Dancer. After a motorcycle collision in 1997 he died in hospital. His Laser 200 was given to the Smithsonian and is displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, and a scholarship in his name supports military demonstration team members.