Cool tribute to Rob Holland by the US Para Commandos jump team.
Governor Ayotte declared September 6, 2025 Rob Holland Day in New Hampshire.
Rob was the best aerobatics pilot yet.
As his videos said: “Aerobatics 2.0”
He had incredible talent and an incredible airplane that allowed him to perform maneuvers that left people in awe, even fellow aerobatic pilots.
Rob worked with MX aircraft to make his MXS-RH one of a kind.
Rob’s accomplishments:
- 13-time consecutive U.S. National Aerobatic Champion
- 6-time World 4-minute Freestyle Champion
- 14-time U.S. 4-minute Freestyle Champion
- 2015 World Air Games Freestyle Gold Medalist
- 2012 Art Scholl Award for Showmanship
- 2008 World Advanced Aerobatic Champion
- 10-time U.S. Aerobatic Team Member
- 37 medals in International Competition (14 Gold)
Rob was born May 30, 1974
Rob passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025 while coming in to land at Langley Air Force Base for that weekend’s airshow.
Rob was one of the top performers planned to stun the crowd’s at that weekend’s show.
NO, he didn’t mess up the landing.
A mechanical malfunction caused his crash.
His MSX-RH had a modification in the elevator that allowed him to modify the way his aircraft ‘felt’ depending on the maneuvers he’d be flying. The ‘shovel’ on the elevator had tubes that allowed inserting weights. Unfortunately, the plug on the right side backed out enough to jam the elevator causing Rob to lose control when it interfered with the movement of the elevator.
Rob was one of very few people who was an Honorary Blue Angel.
He was one of very few pilots who was allowed to fly in tight formation with the Blues and roll inverted and back upright (while maintaining formation).
Rob was known as a great person. Very humble and very friendly. Not high on himself at all.
He loved aviation and promoted aviation and aerobatics and helped many people pursue the dream of aviation.
Rob didn’t compete to be better than anyone other than himself.
“I want to be better today than I was yesterday, better tomorrow than I am today.”
Rob had a saying: “Fly good, don’t suck” which he said somewhat jokingly to is aerobatic teammates when they’d go out to fly during competitions.
Eventually that became his brand (FlyGoodMerch).
His FLY GOOD DON’T SUCK sticker is even seen in the opening scenes in one of the USAF Thunderbirds cockpits in the Netflix Thunderbirds movie.
Rob Holland ALWAYS flew good. He never sucked.
I always loved watching Rob fly. I saw him at Nashua airport flying his Ultimate 20-300S (N8UB) in the early 2000’s.
Then his MX2 ..typically couldn’t wait for him to do his airshow for the Rockin’ Ribfest in Merrimack NH.
I lived almost across the river from the Anheuser-Busch Brewery where the event was hosted.
Rob would come fast along the river, sneaking up below the trees and only about 25-30 feet above the river, then he’d start his show with a 45 degree knife edge up from the river, smoke on!
I’ve been to many airshows in New England over many years. Prior to Rob, my favorite was Sean D. Tucker.
Then came Rob. He was all as good as Sean …and then some!
Airshows are still a lot of fun but they will never be the same without Rob flying and entertaining millions.
Rob will be missed by many for a long time.