Glider pilot does unplanned air show performance and wows crowd but ends up losing his license

This glider pilot did an unplanned air show performance which wowed the crowd – but resulted in him losing his license.

Bruno Vassel took to the sky at an air show in Spanish Fork, Utah and dazzled the crowd.

He hadn’t originally planned to fly, but was asked to give a demonstration by the show’s management.

As a result of this decision, he landed himself in a whole heap of trouble.

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This glider pilot ended up losing his license over an unplanned air show performance

Bruno Vassel had showed up to an airshow in Spanish Fork, Utah, when he was asked to do a trick in his ASW27.

He decided to mix together some loops and low passes, and perform them 3,000 feet up in the air.

The views from the cockpit were spectacular.

Unfortunately, his demonstration didn’t go down well with the Federal Aviation Administration.

In a comment posted alongside the video, the Glider pilot gave the full story.

“I uploaded this video and four days later had over 200k views. The video got reported and the FAA had serious concerns with this performance/flight,” he wrote.

“Lesson learned: Don’t fly any kind of performance for any group or crowd (even if asked by the airshow management and cleared through the airboss) if you are NOT an approved airshow performer (have something called a SAC card)!!!

“The FAA will surely come after you with violations. The end result for me: $$ thousands spent on legal fees and I will soon be taking a forced 7-month break from flying.

“I was told I was very luck to not lose my license permanently over this.

“Yikes! Why am I sharing all this?

“I only had good intentions of showing what a glider is capable of doing, but I am not a trained airshow performer and I didn’t know the rules for airshow performances.

“If in doubt – don’t do it! I hope this will help other pilots to not have to go through what I have over the last 10 months.”

Air show performances usually aren’t this controversial

Usually, air show stunts are an opportunity for some showboating and for crowds to go wild.

One Airbus A350 defied expectations at the 2025 Paris Air Show with moves that seemed impossible, while an Embraer was similarly awe-inspiring.

As far as air shows go, the one in Paris may be the Crème de la crème, going off the rich variety of aircrafts that have appeared there over the years.

To see Victor in action over at Spanish Fork for yourself, visit his YouTube channel.

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