Comms Power Goulian’s Aerobatic Dance at Oshkosh

For Mike Goulian and his team, communications play a vital part in the execution of an airshow. [Photo: Stephen Yeates]

Mike Goulian makes it all look easy—but there’s so much taking place behind the scenes every time he launches for an aerobatic performance.

The elite pilot—and Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award winner in 2006—relies on an aviation family of folks to propel his contribution to the airshows at EAA AirVenture each year.

Goulian taps into his team at Goulian Aerosports—including crew chief Levi Fischer—along with the professionalism of air boss Wayne Boggs, deputy air bosses, and air traffic controllers, and the communications equipment provided by Bose for the comms between the airplane and show center.

FLYING’s editor-in-chief Julie Boatman followed Goulian through his team’s preparation for the Wednesday, July 27, afternoon airshow. While Goulian didn’t fly until nearly 5 p.m., the day began at 7 a.m. as his Extra 330SC was pulled from the hangar.

Aerobatic air boss Airshow AirVenture Art Scholl ATC Bose comms Communications EAA Goulian headset Mike Goulian Oshkosh performers Wayne Boggs

Julie BoatmanContributor

Based in Maryland, Julie Boatman is an aviation educator and author. She holds an airline transport pilot certificate with Douglas DC-3 and CE510 (Citation Mustang) type ratings. She's a CFI/CFII since 1993, specializing in advanced aircraft and flight instructor development.