IRVING, Texas, June 14, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As a competitive race and aerobatic pilot, Anthony Oshinuga is no stranger to arduous undertakings. Every week he endures countless hours of strenuous flying, including gut-wrenching G-forces, as he perfects complex aerial maneuvers that thrill onlooking air show crowds.
This summer, Anthony’s training will pay off as he embarks in his single-engine, single-seat Pitts-Special aerobatic aircraft on a journey of more than 3,400 miles north up the Pacific Coast to participate in the Arctic Thunder Air Show at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. While the journey itself is epic, Anthony has his sights set on making history by becoming the first African-American civilian pilot to perform in an air show in the Arctic Circle.
Anthony’s past makes this epic adventure and journey even more interesting. His parents immigrated from Lagos, Nigeria, and initially settled in Austin, Texas, in 1980. As a child of Nigerian immigrants, Anthony was first drawn into the world of aviation at the young age of 5 after watching airplanes take-off and land during father-and-son visits to the local airport, and his passion and ambition have not wavered since.
He credits his resolve and focus to his parents’ guidance and encouragement to set high goals and strive to achieve them while growing up. In 2006, Anthony graduated from the University of California, Riverside, with a degree in mechanical engineering. In the same year, Anthony earned his private pilot certificate and took aerobatic lessons on the side, all while working in consulting jobs to pay the bills. However, his aeronautical ambitions did not stop there.
At the 2014 U.S. National Aerobatic Competition Anthony placed a remarkable 4 th out of nine competitors in his category and 25 th overall in the total contest. Even more impressive, in 2015, he made history at the Reno National Championship Air Race by becoming the first African-American rookie pilot to hold a first-place position after his 3 rd heat. This outstanding achievement allowed him to place 2 nd in the overall competition. Anthony has his eyes set on becoming the first African-American Red Bull Air Race Pilot, and his past accomplishments prove that he is on course in making that dream a reality.
Continuing to make his mark on history, Anthony will be performing in the Arctic Thunder Air Show on June 30, 2018. He will be flying his red and white Pitts Special dubbed “Black Hawk,” entertaining crowds alongside the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Kirby Chambliss and Jump Team, and Oregon Aero SkyDancer.
EPIC Fuels has sponsored Anthony since 2016. See a complete schedule of Anthony’s appearances and a map of his flight path by following Anthony’s EPIC Air Adventure to Alaska on social media including @EPICFuels and @TeamOshinuga with the hashtag #AOEPICadventure
About EPIC
EPIC Fuels is a global supplier of fuels and services to FBOs, commercial airlines, airports, ground fueling operators, the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and other government agencies around the world. Our largest customers include Fortune 500 flight departments, top-tier FBOs, major airlines, charter and cargo operators as well as all branches of the U.S. military. In addition, the company issues the EPIC Card, an aviation fuel card for retail or contract fuel purchases and ancillary services. The EPIC Card is accepted both in and out of network, at over 8,000 locations worldwide. BBA Aviation, parent company of Signature Flight Support, announced May 23 that it will purchase EPIC. The transaction is subject to government and regulatory approval. For more information, please visit us online at www.EPICFuels.com or visit us on Facebook @EPICFuels.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/Attachm...56ea685801
Media Contacts: Ryan Mikolasik – EPIC Fuels: / +1 469.291.8612
