About Me

When Dick Fennell retired from motorcycle racing at age 23, he needed something else to do to fulfill is adrenaline addiction that wasn’t as dangerous. And so he took up flying but with a twist;, he taught himself how to fly. His first flight was in 1978 with a Phoenix 6B hang glider and from there he progressed to a Pterodactyl ultralight, essentially a hang glider with an engine. All this time only using an instruction manual on how to build an airplane and teach yourself to fly it. He says the first few flights in his newly built airplane, the Pterodactyl, were exciting and a hands-on survival lesson at the same time. His passion for aerobatics began in 1981 and continue to this day. He has acquired 5,000 hours and has flown more than 40 different types of aircrafts, from hang gliders to jets.           

In 1993, he began his airplane racing career while flying for Lockwood films. Dick and his copilot, Mark McCurdy, were able to compete in the renewed 1993 Bendix Trophy Race from Palm Springs, CA to Chicago, IL . The race ended with a mediocre finish but Dick became hooked on airplane racing, not a surprise. In 1994, he had his first win in the twin engine class with a modified Piper Aerostar. There were other races and aviation events of that time period but those were the most interesting and memorable ventures.

At 62 years old, he spends his spare time operating Diamond Truss in Wyoming, hunting, and snow skiing. He is married to his supportive and delightful wife, Spanky. He has a US and Canadian Airline Transport License and says "I now take aviation much more seriously". Flying is a family affair with his daughter Brandi Lou Hellwinkel and her daughter Laken Lou managing his ever growing fan club while his wife, Spanky, manages the aviation business.

He competes in the Unlimited Category at IAC events with MX Technologies MXS-R. Only twenty-two aircraft were built, with this being Serial Number Three. He is sponsored by Diamond Truss of Ralston, Wyoming. He wishes to entertain and share the joy of flying while meeting others who love flying as much as he does.

The MXS-R rolls at a rate of 500 degrees per second and has a power to weight of less than 3 pounds per horsepower. The act is incredibly fast paced and involves loops, rolls, flicks, verticals and tumbles. The MX has the ability to climb vertically for almost a mile straight up which equates to a climb rate of 28,000 feet per minute and so you must come and watch this amazing aircraft and the talented, fearless "Diamond Dick" Fennell. God Bless and hope you enjoy the show.