By Kevin Wilkins
On January 23, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, legendary P-51 Mustang pilot Lee Lauderback, founder of the renowned high-performance warbird flight training organization Stallion 51, will be inducted into the Living Legends of Aviation. Lauderback was born into an aviation family as one of five brothers, the sons of a U.S. Navy aviator. His introduction to flight came at just two years of age, when his father took him aloft in a North American Navion. From that moment on, aviation became a defining passion. As a youth, Lauderback immersed himself in model building and all aspects of flight, beginning glider training at age 14. He soloed in powered aircraft on his 16th birthday and steadily added ratings whenever opportunities arose.
After graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with degrees in Aeronautical Science and Business Management, Lauderback launched a distinguished corporate aviation career. He served for 17 years as Chief Pilot for the late professional golfer and businessman Arnold Palmer, flying a wide range of aircraft including Learjets, Citation jets, and MD 500E helicopters. Following his tenure with Palmer, Lauderback became President and CEO of Stallion 51 Corporation and Unusual Attitude Training. Over the course of his career, he has accumulated more than 22,750 flight hours across numerous aircraft types, including more than 10,000 hours in the P-51 Mustang alone. He holds Airline Transport Pilot, instrument, helicopter, and glider ratings, and is both a certified flight and ground instructor. In addition, Lauderback serves as an FAA Designated Pilot and Specialty Examiner and is frequently called upon to conduct flight tests of vintage aircraft. He is also a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
For nearly four decades, Lauderback has been a prominent presence on the airshow circuit, performing his acclaimed P-51 aerobatic demonstration at major events across the country. He was among the first civilian pilots selected to participate in the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight program, which pairs historic World War II aircraft with modern USAF fighters in formation. In addition to his airshow work, Lauderback has instructed P-51 Mustang pilots at the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland. His many honors include the International Council of Airshows Sword of Excellence, the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, induction into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame and the EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame, and the Bob Hoover Legacy Award. Beyond aviation, Lauderback is also a Master Class falconer, and in his spare time, can often be found flying hawks and falcons at locations across the country.
The Living Legends of Aviation Awards are produced by Kiddie Hawk Air Academy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and educating children about aviation. Additional information is available at LivingLegendsOfAviation.org.
