Mike Mangold
Encyclopedia
Mike Mangold is a Boeing 767
commercial pilot for American Airlines
and an aerobatics
pilot. Mangold competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Series
from 2004 through 2009, where he repeatedly placed first and won the World Championship in the 2005 World Series
, as well as the 2007 World Series
. His nickname is "Mongo".
, and is the oldest of three children (Robert and Frank). He moved to California at 3 years old and then to Pennsylvania for his high school years.
. He went on to USAF pilot training, learned to fly fighters, eventually attending the United States Air Force Fighter Weapons School. Mangold graduated first in his class earned the "Outstanding Graduate" award. During his military career Mike served in the Pacific and Conus theaters, flying nuclear, conventional, smart weapons, and air intercept missions in the F-4 Phantom, including the F-4G "Wild Weasel". After leaving active duty he became a commercial airline pilot, starting his competitive aerobatic and air show career in 1990. In 2004 Mike got into air racing by joining the Red Bull Air Race and in 2007 the National Championship Air Races flying a Lancair IV in the Sport class and a L-29 Delfin in the Jet class. Mangold has over 16,000 hours of flying time, including 2,500 hours of military fights and 5,500 hours of aerobatics.
, and skis
. In 1996, Mangold, along with 296 other skydivers, set a world record for the most amount of people in a skydiving free-fall formation in Anapa, Russia. Mangold commented on his passion for skydiving: "Skydiving; that's how I relax now. It's great, you are at one with the air, you are totally relaxed, no pressure." Mike's wife Julie was once a test pilot for the US Army and now is also a commercial airline and aerobatic pilot. They have an eight-year-old son, Nicholas, who loves doing rolls in his father's aircraft, and a five-year-old daughter, Melissa.
2001:
2002:
2003:
2004:
2005:
2007:
2008:
2009:
2010:
Legend:
Boeing 767
The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail...
commercial pilot for American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
and an aerobatics
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
pilot. Mangold competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Series
Red Bull Air Race World Series
The Red Bull Air Race, established in 2003 and created by Red Bull, is an international series of air races in which competitors have to navigate a challenging obstacle course in the fastest time. Pilots fly individually against the clock and have to complete tight turns through a slalom course...
from 2004 through 2009, where he repeatedly placed first and won the World Championship in the 2005 World Series
2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series season
The 2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the 3rd Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It began on April 8, 2005 and ended on October 8....
, as well as the 2007 World Series
2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series season
The 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the fifth Red Bull Air Race World Series season.-New pilots:Sergei Rakhmanin of Russia and Austrian Hannes Arch were chosen to join the 2007 series after completing a qualification course in October 2006, held in Arizona, USA...
. His nickname is "Mongo".
Early life
Mangold was born in Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, and is the oldest of three children (Robert and Frank). He moved to California at 3 years old and then to Pennsylvania for his high school years.
Career
Mangold began his aviation career in 1974 as a skydiver while attending the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
. He went on to USAF pilot training, learned to fly fighters, eventually attending the United States Air Force Fighter Weapons School. Mangold graduated first in his class earned the "Outstanding Graduate" award. During his military career Mike served in the Pacific and Conus theaters, flying nuclear, conventional, smart weapons, and air intercept missions in the F-4 Phantom, including the F-4G "Wild Weasel". After leaving active duty he became a commercial airline pilot, starting his competitive aerobatic and air show career in 1990. In 2004 Mike got into air racing by joining the Red Bull Air Race and in 2007 the National Championship Air Races flying a Lancair IV in the Sport class and a L-29 Delfin in the Jet class. Mangold has over 16,000 hours of flying time, including 2,500 hours of military fights and 5,500 hours of aerobatics.
Personal life
Mangold also skydives, hang glidesHang gliding
Hang gliding is an air sport in which a pilot flies a light and unmotorized foot-launchable aircraft called a hang glider ....
, and skis
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
. In 1996, Mangold, along with 296 other skydivers, set a world record for the most amount of people in a skydiving free-fall formation in Anapa, Russia. Mangold commented on his passion for skydiving: "Skydiving; that's how I relax now. It's great, you are at one with the air, you are totally relaxed, no pressure." Mike's wife Julie was once a test pilot for the US Army and now is also a commercial airline and aerobatic pilot. They have an eight-year-old son, Nicholas, who loves doing rolls in his father's aircraft, and a five-year-old daughter, Melissa.
Achievements
2001:
- US Unlimited Aerobatic Team member
- World Air Games - Bronze medal (team)
2002:
- US Point Series Champion
- US National Aerobatic Championships - Silver medal
2003:
- US Unlimited Aerobatic Team member
- World Air Games - Bronze medal (team)
2004:
- RBAR North American Champion
2005:
- RBAR World Champion
2007:
- RBAR World Champion
2008:
- Reno Air Races, Second Place, Jet Class, Rookie of the Year in the Jet Class
2009:
- Reno Air Races, Second Place, Jet Class, 525 mph.
2010:
- Reno Air Races, Second Place Jet Class, 519 mph, (groundspeed).
 United States Mike Mangoldat the Red Bull Air Race World Series Red Bull Air Race World Series The Red Bull Air Race, established in 2003 and created by Red Bull, is an international series of air races in which competitors have to navigate a challenging obstacle course in the fastest time. Pilots fly individually against the clock and have to complete tight turns through a slalom course... |
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| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Points | Wins | Rank |
| 2004 2004 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2004 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the 2nd Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It debuted on June 20, 2004 and ended on September 18.In the 2004 season, the number of air race venues increased from 2 to 3 locations... |
 United KingdomDNP |
 HungaryDNP |
United States 1st |
6 | 1 | 5th | |||||||||
| 2005 2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2005 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the 3rd Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It began on April 8, 2005 and ended on October 8.... |
 United Arab Emirates3rd |
 Netherlands1st |
 Austria1st |
 Republic of Ireland5th |
United Kingdom 1st |
Hungary 1st |
United States 1st |
36 | 5 | 1st | |||||
| 2006 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2006 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the fourth Red Bull Air Race World Series season. It began on March 18, 2006 and ended on November 19.... |
United Arab Emirates 2nd |
 Spain2nd |
 Germany3rd |
 RussiaCAN |
 Turkey4th |
Hungary 3rd |
United Kingdom 4th |
United States 4th |
 Australia4th |
30 | 0 | 3rd | |||
| 2007 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2007 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the fifth Red Bull Air Race World Series season.-New pilots:Sergei Rakhmanin of Russia and Austrian Hannes Arch were chosen to join the 2007 series after completing a qualification course in October 2006, held in Arizona, USA... |
United Arab Emirates 2nd |
 Brazil3rd |
United States 3rd |
Turkey 1st |
Spain CAN |
 Switzerland2nd |
United Kingdom 1st |
Hungary 1st |
 Portugal2nd |
United States 5th |
 MexicoCAN |
Australia 3rd |
47 | 3 | 1st |
| 2008 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Series season The 2008 Red Bull Air Race World Series season was the sixth Red Bull Air Race World Series season. The 2008 champion was Hannes Arch, who won the series for the first time.-Aircraft and pilots:-New pilots:... |
United Arab Emirates 3rd |
United States 2nd |
United States 4th |
 SwedenCAN |
Netherlands 5th |
United Kingdom 6th |
Hungary 4th |
Portugal 3rd |
Spain CAN |
Australia 9th |
44 | 0 | 4th | ||
Legend:
- CAN: Cancelled
- DNP: Did not participate
- DNS: Did not show
- NC: Not classified