Hall Makes Pacific Airshow Debut, Flying Alongside U.S. Air Force Pilots

Above: Matt Hall at F1 Melbourne 2022. Source Matt Hall

Matt Hall, former Royal Australian Air Force fighter pilot and Red Bull Air Race world champion will return to America to fly in the Pacific Airshow alongside U.S. Air Force pilots, world-renowned military aviators and civilian performers. The three-day spectacle will take place from 30 September to 2 October in Huntington Beach, California.  

Hall is the first Australian to fly in the Pacific Airshow and says it’s a privilege to get the call up. “America is like my second home. I have lifelong friends in the U.S. and so many memories having served in a three-year exchange program with the U.S. Air Force and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It's an honour to make my debut in Huntington Beach as the first Aussie to perform in the show," he said.

Above: Matt Hall flies on exchange with U.S. Air Force in 2003 over Iraq. Source Matt Hall

Pacific Airshow is redefining the airshow experience, annually attracting 3 million live spectators to Huntington Beach, California. Millions more are expected to view Hulu’s LIVE broadcast on 1 October. “To say I'm excited is an understatement. The sheer scale of the Pacific Airshow is mind blowing. I’m definitely in good company and hoping to put on something special for everyone,” Hall said.

Hall will join an all-star legion of performers including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Air Force B-52, U.S. Army Golden Knights, U.S. Navy Leap Frogs, U.S. Air Force K-135, USN F35-C, Red Bull Air Force, former rival and Red Bull Air Race legend Mike Goulian, and many more.

Hall will borrow a two-seater MX2 aircraft from Rob Holland, a good friend and renowned U.S.-based aerobatics champion. The MX2 is designed to fly up to 400kph and can exert up to 14G of force on the pilot. Hall is accustomed to his single-seat MXS-R race plane back in Australia so the transition between the two should be a reasonably quick procedure which will allow Hall to fly the aircraft to its full potential. Holland will not be flying at this show as he is competing in the U.S. National Aerobatic Competition in Texas.

Pacific Airshow is the only airshow in the world boasting two editions; this event in Huntington Beach and a second recently announced on the Gold Coast (18 - 20 August 2023). “I cannot wait to get to Huntington Beach to experience Pacific Airshow action. It will put into context how epic it will be here on the Gold Coast next year when the organisers reproduce the event for the first time at Surfers Paradise,” Hall said.

For more information on Pacific Airshow, please visit pacificairshow.com or follow Pacific Airshow on social media @pacificairshow.