Matt Groth Biography:

My first flying experience was with my cousin in a Cessna 150 when I was too small to see over the instrument panel.  After takeoff I could sense what felt like being supported on a cushion of air, free of the bumps of a road.  Ever since then I knew I would like to become a pilot, being free to go wherever.

It wasn't for several years after that I had the resources to get some flying lessons.  I received my pilot's license in 1994 after my first year of college at the Lewis University airport (LOT) near Chicago. Shortly after obtaining my certificate I went for a few hours of aerobatic instruction in a Decathlon. It was great as I finally was able to do all the things that I wanted to that are not allowed in the Cessna.

A few years went by without much flying until I bought my Decathlon in 2001. I again received a few hours of instruction and have since put on over 600 hours in this plane and competed in several competitions.  It was the critiquing and pressure of competition flying that gave me the proficiency and confidence to think about flying airshows.

In 2006 I earned my Commercial certificate and received my Instrument rating.  Early in 2007 I received my first Aerobatic Competency card, which is required by pilots to fly most airshows.  It currently allows me to fly down to 250 ft during my performance, but can only be used in waivered airspace.  Last year was my first airshow season, and it has been some of the most rewarding and fun flying I have done.