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The Man Behind the Name
Art Scholl was an American aerobatic pilot, aerial cameraman, flight instructor, and educator based in Riverside, Southern California. He was known for his aerobatics, stunt flying, and air displays. Scholl performed across the United States and internationally from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s. He flew a pair of modified de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk aircraft, renamed “Super Chipmunks”, and occasionally a third aircraft before an estimated audience of 80 million people over 20 years and appeared in more than 200 motion picture features, documentaries, and television commercials.
The Fateful Day
On September 16, 1985, Art Scholl died during the filming of Top Gun when his Pitts S-2 camera plane failed to recover from a spin and plunged into the Pacific Ocean. He had entered the spin intentionally in order to capture it on film using on-board cameras. Observers watched the plane continue to spin as it descended past the planned recovery altitude.
The Last Words
As the plane plunged into the ocean, Scholl uttered his final words, using his radio to say: “I have a problem; I have a real problem.” The plane landed in the water and neither it nor Scholl’s remains were ever recovered.
The Aftermath and Speculations
An exact cause for the crash has never been determined. Some speculate that there might have been a control failure, where maybe the camera jammed into the flight controls. Others suggest that there might have been an issue with the flight controls where he wasn’t able to get the airplane out of the flat spin or whether he was disorientated.
Remembering Art Scholl
Despite the tragic end, Art Scholl’s legacy lives on. He is remembered for his contributions to aerobatics and aviation education. His passion for flying and his dedication to his craft continue to inspire pilots and aviation enthusiasts around the world.
