AARON TIPPIN

“I am an Ambassador for Aviation.”  While perhaps more widely known as a country music superstar, it comes as no surprise that Aaron Tippin is first and foremost an aviator. After all, it’s in his blood. Aaron was inspired at a young age by his father, Willis “Tipp” Tippin, an Air Force Cadet trainer. Tipp and his brother Billy ran an FBO, so naturally, “flying was the Tippin thing to do.” A student pilot at 14, Aaron soloed on his 16th birthday, became a private pilot at 17, and by 18, had his multi-engine commercial and instrument ratings. Aaron did more than just hang around the family FBO, he served as a maintenance test pilot, flying corporate and air cargo. As Aaron remembers, “Flying was my total goal in life.”

Fate intervened when the energy crisis of the 1970s left many pilots furloughed and wingless. That happy accident was Aaron’s chance to perfect another obsession, country music. His debut single, “You’ve Got to Stand for Something” hit the charts and established him as a patriot. Nine studio albums and two compilations later, with three number ones, six gold and one platinum certification; Aaron certainly made his mark in the music world. But the pull of aviation never left, and within ten years of leaving to start his music career, he returned to what he loves most. 

In the 1990s, Aaron started collecting Warbirds, vintage and general aviation aircraft. He obtained a slew of licenses and ratings, including his A&P Mechanic’s license, helicopter and CFI rating (just in time to solo his two sons on their 16th birthdays, as Tipp did with him). He got qualified in a C-47, B-25, B-29 (and was known to fly in, land and give a concert on its wing), and got his P-40 type rating. 

Aaron and his family established Tennessee Flying Machines at the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport (KSRB) in Sparta, Tenn., offering a flight school, ride/flight tours in Aaron’s fleet of vintage aircraft, maintenance, restoration and other services that share and preserve Aaron’s love for aviation. After all, it’s “the Tippin thing to do.”