THIS WEBPAGE IS TO BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY - COMMERCIAL USE IS PROHIBITED
In MEMORY of Aerobatics pilot JAMES VERNON LEROY JR. 1961 - 2007
ABOUT JIM © www.bulldogairshows.com
LeRoy's interest in aircraft started at a young age. His father and grandfather were retired United Airlines pilots.
LeRoy studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Illinois. After he graduated, he served in the Marine Corps, earning several pilots' licenses with the Corps' Flying Club at Camp Pendleton.
LeRoy worked as an engineer in General Electric's jet engine division and later worked for a paper mill that used jet engines to generate energy before leaving the industry 10 years ago to become a full-time Aerobatic
pilot .
LeRoy grew up in Bartlett and attended Elgin High School with his future wife, Joan Muren. They graduated in 1979.
Jim and Joan became reacquainted at their 10-year class reunion and married the next May. In 2003, they welcomed their first child, Tommy.
For the past two years, LeRoy and his family had been living in Lake City, Fla., where the weather allowed for many more flying days.
LeRoy is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Tommy; his parents, Jim and Rosemary; his brother, Jeff; and his sister, Pam.
LeRoy's interest in aircraft started at a young age. His father and grandfather were retired United Airlines pilots.
LeRoy studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Illinois. After he graduated, he served in the Marine Corps, earning several pilots' licenses with the Corps' Flying Club at Camp Pendleton.
LeRoy worked as an engineer in General Electric's jet engine division and later worked for a paper mill that used jet engines to generate energy before leaving the industry 10 years ago to become a full-time Aerobatic
pilot .
LeRoy grew up in Bartlett and attended Elgin High School with his future wife, Joan Muren. They graduated in 1979.
Jim and Joan became reacquainted at their 10-year class reunion and married the next May. In 2003, they welcomed their first child, Tommy.
For the past two years, LeRoy and his family had been living in Lake City, Fla., where the weather allowed for many more flying days.
LeRoy is survived by his wife, Joan; his son, Tommy; his parents, Jim and Rosemary; his brother, Jeff; and his sister, Pam.
Professional background
Initially flying solo performances, he gained a reputation with his highly energetic aerobatic displays. In 2003, LeRoy joined a daring and successful airshow troupe, the X-team, that referred to themselves as the Masters of Disaster. Their performance generally consisted of three pilots flying a simultaneous, chaotic, interweaving aerobatic display through clouds of smoke generated by circling jet powered trucks below. After two seasons of successful airshows, an accident occured on July 10, 2005 during a routine performance when Jimmy Franklin and Bobby Younkin collided in mid-air. Jim LeRoy was not involved in the collision and landed safely.
LeRoy was one of only eleven pilots ever to be awarded both the Art Sholl Showmanship Award (2002) and the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2003). He was also one of only a handful of full time air show pilots in the world who actually made his living by performing for air show audiences.
LeRoy also held the following pilot ratings: single-engine, multi-engine, airplane instructor, helicopter, helicopter instructor, instrument instructor and aerobatic competency evaluator.
Initially flying solo performances, he gained a reputation with his highly energetic aerobatic displays. In 2003, LeRoy joined a daring and successful airshow troupe, the X-team, that referred to themselves as the Masters of Disaster. Their performance generally consisted of three pilots flying a simultaneous, chaotic, interweaving aerobatic display through clouds of smoke generated by circling jet powered trucks below. After two seasons of successful airshows, an accident occured on July 10, 2005 during a routine performance when Jimmy Franklin and Bobby Younkin collided in mid-air. Jim LeRoy was not involved in the collision and landed safely.
LeRoy was one of only eleven pilots ever to be awarded both the Art Sholl Showmanship Award (2002) and the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship (2003). He was also one of only a handful of full time air show pilots in the world who actually made his living by performing for air show audiences.
LeRoy also held the following pilot ratings: single-engine, multi-engine, airplane instructor, helicopter, helicopter instructor, instrument instructor and aerobatic competency evaluator.
After the crash Jm Leroy was transported by a
military MEDEVAC helicopter in transit to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. LeRoy had crashed around 2:15PM EST
Aerobatics pilot James Vernon LeRoy Jr. died instantly in Saturday's plane crash at the Vectren Dayton Air Show, the Montgomery County coroner's office concluded Sunday.
Coroner's Director Ken Betz said LeRoy, 46, died of blunt force trauma to the cervical spine and torso, and the death will be ruled an accident. Public records show LeRoy was from Lake City, Fla.
"It's our opinion he died instantly. There are no signs of smoke or fire inhalation," Betz said. "He hit the ground at 200 mph. He fractured his neck. He was dead at the time of impact."
Betz said the accident at the air show site at Dayton International Airport occurred at 2:42 p.m. Saturday. LeRoy was pronounced dead at 3:05 p.m. en route to Miami Valley Hospital in an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Emergency personnel had to extinguish the aircraft fire and extricate LeRoy from the wreckage of his biplane before he could be taken to the hospital.
Betz said he would be conducting toxicology studies, but said there were no preliminary indications of alcohol or drugs in the victim's body.
military MEDEVAC helicopter in transit to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. LeRoy had crashed around 2:15PM EST
Aerobatics pilot James Vernon LeRoy Jr. died instantly in Saturday's plane crash at the Vectren Dayton Air Show, the Montgomery County coroner's office concluded Sunday.
Coroner's Director Ken Betz said LeRoy, 46, died of blunt force trauma to the cervical spine and torso, and the death will be ruled an accident. Public records show LeRoy was from Lake City, Fla.
"It's our opinion he died instantly. There are no signs of smoke or fire inhalation," Betz said. "He hit the ground at 200 mph. He fractured his neck. He was dead at the time of impact."
Betz said the accident at the air show site at Dayton International Airport occurred at 2:42 p.m. Saturday. LeRoy was pronounced dead at 3:05 p.m. en route to Miami Valley Hospital in an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
Emergency personnel had to extinguish the aircraft fire and extricate LeRoy from the wreckage of his biplane before he could be taken to the hospital.
Betz said he would be conducting toxicology studies, but said there were no preliminary indications of alcohol or drugs in the victim's body.