After college he earned his commission as a 2nd LT in the USAF. While on active duty he purchased his first aerobatic biplane and began perfecting his aerobatic flying in his spare time. He soon obtained an FAA aerobatic waiver card and performed in several local air shows. He later obtained his commercial pilot’s license and flight instructor’s rating and began flying as a pilot in the Flying Circus Air Show. While flying as a pilot with the Flying Circus he developed a love for the Stearman biplane, and subsequently purchased one of his own in 2002.

In the Flying Circus show David flies as both the lead and wingman positions in his Stearman for the formation flights. During the airshow, he also performs a crowd thrilling aerobatic demonstration. David also performs his aerobatic act at other select air shows in Virginia and surrounding states. In 2011, while attending the 40th National Stearman Fly In in Galesburg IL, he won the top aerobatic title in the Stearman winning the Master’s Aerobatic Contest.

Before and after the airshow David specializes in providing aerobatic rides to those who seek the thrill of a lifetime. When he is not flying his Stearman at the Flying Circus, he is busy operating his business "Stearman Biplane Rides LLC" where he flies sightseeing and aerobatic rides from nearby Warrenton Airport and provides flight instruction services. David recently has added a T-6 Texan to the business and offers hands-on flight experiences in this historic plane in addition to the Stearman biplane. To read more about his business or to schedule a flight, visit his website:

Airplane Tours Virginia, Biplane Rides ... BrownsBiplaneRides.com Discover the Ultimate Experience of a lifetime! Biplane Rides over the beautiful Fauquier County VA countryside in an authentic World War II PT-17 Stearman

David retired in 2017 from the Virginia Department of Transportation where he worked for over 30 years as a Residency Administrator overseeing highway maintenance operations. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2020 after completing active duty service in the 1980s and later serving in the Air Force Reserve from 1997 until 2020.

David is one of a very few pilots who now flies the Stearman full time as his main occupation. His business operates 6 days a week with Sundays reserved for flying with the Flying Circus. David has also acquired a new addition to his flying business, a North American Aviation (NAA) T-6 Texan advanced trainer.

Dave's PT-17 Stearman, "03"

Dave's T-6 Texan, "Speedy"