Meet the Maverick Behind Sky Combat Ace: Richard "Tex" Coe
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From Fighter Jets to the Ultimate Thrill Ride:
How One Man’s Wild Idea Took Flight
There are pilots, and then there’s Richard "Tex" Coe—the kind of guy who doesn’t just fly planes, but redefines what flying means.
If you’ve ever climbed into a cockpit at Sky Combat Ace, you’re stepping into a world born straight from the bold, relentless, and slightly insane vision of this trailblazer.
So, how did Tex go from F-16 fighter pilot to building the most extreme civilian aerial combat experience in the world? Buckle up—it's a heck of a ride...
1. THE MAKING OF A FIGHTER PILOT
Becoming a steely-eyed fighter pilot requires more than a need for speed—it’s about precision, skill, and an unrelenting commitment to mastery.
Of course, Tex didn’t just want to fly—he wanted to be the best in the sky.
Richard "Tex" Coe + U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter squadron, 1997.
At 16 years old, most kids are just trying to figure out how to parallel park. But Tex? He was already learning how to bend the laws of gravity in an airplane.
By the time he hit college, he knew there was only one cockpit worthy of his ambitions—the F-16 Fighting Falcon, one of the world’s most legendary fighter jets.
Determined to soar above the rest, Tex joined the U.S. Air Force in 1997 and was selected for one of the most elite flying tracks in the military.
He trained relentlessly, mastering advanced aerial maneuvers, air-to-air combat tactics, and high-G performance flying—earning a reputation as one of the most revered and skilled fighter aviators in his field.
Check out these stats Tex racked up during his tenure as USAF fighter pilot:
• US AIR FORCE MAJOR •
RICHARD "TEX" COE
Veteran F-16 Fighter Pilot | SCA Founder + President
1,000+ Hours
flying the legendary F-16 Fighting Falcon
300+ Combat Hours
in the world’s most hostile airspaces
Promotion to USAF Major
earning his reputation as a tactical expert
Top-Secret Missions
piloting the MQ-1 Predator & MQ-9 Reaper UAVs over Iraq + Afghanistan
More heart-pounding stories
than he’ll ever admit to his mom...
Tex’s F-16 missions took him across the globe, from the snow-capped mountains of Aviano, Italy, to stations in Bosnia and South Korea. He flew top-secret operations over Iraq and Afghanistan, touching down at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas—this is where the next chapter of his aviation legacy really begins.
Because despite everything: despite the thrill of flying at supersonic speeds, conquering high-stakes missions, and engaging in real-world dogfights—something was missing. Something bigger...
2. The “What If” Moment That SPARKED THE IDEA
One of Tex’s favorite parts of being a fighter pilot? Getting to take lucky passengers on incentive rides in his F-16 jet— a rare privilege where military personnel, VIPs, and a few hand-picked civilians got to strap into a real fighter jet and experience what it felt like to pull Gs, fly maneuvers, and feel the full force of combat aviation.
Tex loved these rides. Showing people the raw thrill of adrenaline-pumping aerobatics, feeling their excitement, seeing the way their eyes lit up when they realized they could handle it—that was electric.
And he kept thinking…
"I wish I could do this for my friends and family. Heck, for anyone who wanted to walk away with a story they’d tell for the rest of their lives."
That’s when the idea hit him:
"What if I could bring that same rush to people who don’t have a military callsign?"
What if, instead of just watching aerial combat in movies or seeing stunts in airshows, anyone could experience it firsthand? Not as a passenger. Not in a simulator. But for real—taking the controls, pulling G’s, and flying just like a fighter pilot.
It sounded
crazy. So naturally, Tex decided to do it.
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3. THE BIRTH OF SKY COMBAT ACE
In 2008, Tex left the Air Force and launched his first venture—a flight school and flying club, teaching students how to fly airplanes and helicopters.
It was fun. It was rewarding. But it wasn't delivering the undeniable, kick-in-the-pants experience he'd been called to create.
Tex didn’t want to teach people how to fly. He wanted to teach them how to rip through the sky like a fighter pilot!
So in 2011, he went all in. Sky Combat Ace was born—a first-of-its-kind aviation experience where anyone could:
🎯 Engage in real-life aerial dogfights
🚀 Perform insane aerobatic stunts
💥 Feel the G-forces of combat
😄 Actually fly a plane themselves!
This wasn’t a scenic flight over the Vegas Strip or a boring Grand Canyon tour. This was full-throttle, edge-of-your-seat, fighter pilot-level flying.
And just like that, the craziest, most ambitious aviation adventure ever created took flight.
4. RECRUITING THE SCA DREAM TEAM
Where Skill Meets Adrenaline
When recruiting his ultimate crew, one thing was undeniable: Tex didn’t just build an adventure company—he built a squadron.
At Sky Combat Ace, only the best pilots in the world make the cut. These aren’t just certified flight instructors—they’re:
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Wait, What’s the Fighter Pilot Callsign "Tex" All About?!
As all the best legends go, there’s a couple of different stories behind the origins of Tex’s callsign. And no, he's not from Texas...
👉 For the uninitiated, a Fighter Pilot's Callsign is a nickname given to you by fellow squadron mates after you do something ridiculous, hilarious, or downright embarrassing.
Callsigns are merciless, unhinged, and permanent. Almost nothing is off-limits, and once you get one, you’re stuck with it for life.
The only rule when choosing a callsign? Although your squadron is allowed to give you a crazy nickname with a hidden meaning,
it still needs to sound cool so you can get a date with it! (Because at the end of the day, your wingman always has your six...)
Now, in Tex’s case, there are two versions of the callsign story:
⛽ The Fuel Incident:
The first story goes that Tex once got a
little too throttle-happy on full afterburner in the F-16 during a mission, burning through fuel at an alarming rate. Miraculously, he made it back to base just in time—right on the red line—practically running on the sniff of an oily rag! His squadron, never ones to let a mistake go unnoticed, dubbed him
Texaco—like the gas station.
🤐 The Other Version:
The second version? Well… let’s just say it’s the kind of Top Gun-inspired love story that might have us all swooning—except this one comes with a punchline that'll make your toes curl, so you’ll have to ask Tex about that one yourself in person…!
Either way, Tex stuck. And at Sky Combat Ace, everyone gets a callsign of their own. Come fly with us, and you’ll leave with your very own pilot nickname—whether you like it or not. 😏
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5. THE LEGACY OF A REAL-LIFE MAVERICK
From the moment the first customers took off, Sky Combat Ace was an instant icon. The idea that everyday people could step into the role of a fighter pilot or air show performer for the day was revolutionary.
Since then, thousands of adrenaline seekers have taken to the skies, pushing their limits and experiencing the most extreme thrills Las Vegas has to offer.
Legends Aren’t Born. They Take Flight.
Tex built Sky Combat Ace on the belief that the best adventures don’t happen on the ground. So the real question is—are you ready to step into the cockpit and experience it for yourself?
The sky isn’t the limit. It’s just the beginning.
Let's Make it Happen. Book your Sky Combat Ace flight today:
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FAQs
How long does each flight go for?
Flight times vary depending on your chosen flight package, and whether you decide to add any optional flight upgrades. For our signature flight packages, here’s a quick cheat sheet of approximate flight times (This is the actual time you'll be doing the hands-on flying in each experience):
• Operation Recon: Approx 12-14 mins
• Afterburner: Approx 16-20 mins
• Sky Combat Experience: Approx 25-30 mins
• Top Gun Experience: Approx 35-55 mins
Please note, these flight times are approximate and do not include taxiing on the runway, takeoff, and landing.
Please allow 3 hours door-to-door for the entire experience, which includes complimentary pickup, pre-flight briefing, and return trasfers to your hotel.
What time will I be back at my hotel afterwards?
Please allow approximately 3 hours door-to-door for your Sky Combat Ace adventure. This includes complimentary pickup from your hotel, pre-flight briefing, post-flight video previews, and return transfers.
Does SCA pick up and drop off our group at our hotel?
Absolutely! Depending on the size of your group, we can provide complimentary transportation in our shuttle from most hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown. For larger groups, our VIP Concierge Mia will be happy to coordinate a private shuttle or limousine service, according to your needs.
How do I find my driver at the pickup spot?
If you’ve opted for a hotel pickup, we’ll confirm your exact pickup location over the phone the day before your flight. Please promptly meet the driver at your agreed meeting place at your scheduled pickup time. If you’re having trouble finding each other, please give us a call on 888-494-5850 so we can help you locate the shuttle.
Can my family and friends come too?
Absolutely! The Sky Combat Ace Lounge is the ultimate place to hang out before and after your flight, with plenty of comfy seating, snacks and drinks, and entertainment options including foosball, shuffleboard, video games, a pool table, and several TVs to entertain your guests. Please be sure to confirm the number of non-flying guests you’d like to bring as seating in the shuttle is subject to availability.
Should I plan any other activities immediately after my SCA flight?
Following your adventure, we recommend building a bit of time into your afternoon to rest, recharge, and let your adrenaline settle! It’s best to plan your next activity for a couple of hours after your return so you’re not in a rush and can let the experience sink in!
What if I prefer my thrills on the milder side?
No problem! Our pilots use a building-block approach, starting with the more gentle maneuvers and working their way up to the more advanced stunts at the end. With constant real-time communication with your pilot, they'll be checking in with you between each maneuver to make sure you're having a great time. Unlike a roller coaster where you're along for the ride, our flight experiences are completely customizable to your thrill level. We can always dial down the intensity or take a little break at any time!
I'm not a pilot! Are you really going to let me fly the plane?
We hear this one a lot. Some people find it hard to believe that they can be at the controls of a $500,000 airplane without any prior training. The reason we can do this is quite simple: All of our aircraft are equipped with dual flight controls, so your highly trained instructor pilot can easily take over the controls in the unlikely event that it becomes necessary. All of our instructors undergo a rigorous training program and are skilled at safely maneuvering aircraft through every kind of unusual attitude and aggravated spin that you can imagine. Our training equips us to handle situations that are far more challenging than anything we might encounter on a typical customer mission. All flights are instructional flights defined under 14 CFR Part 61 of the United States Code and all participants will receive ground and airborne instruction throughout their flight.
In case you still don't believe us, wait till you see your video after the flight! During many maneuvers, you will see your instructor pilot put his hands in the air. So yes, YOU really are flying the plane.
Are there any restrictions on who can fly?
For your comfort and safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride. Height and Weight Restrictions: Weigh between 80lbs & 265lbs (120kg) and no taller than 6'6" (201cm)
Is Sky Combat Ace safe?
Safety is our top priority. All flights are conducted by expert aerobatic instructor pilots, and we use the world's most advanced FAA-certified stunt planes to guarantee the highest safety standards. All participants receive thorough safety briefings, and our professional pilots ensure a safe, controlled experience during each flight.
What if I get airsick?
At Sky Combat Ace, we do everything in our power to prevent people from getting airsick. All of our profiles use a building block approach, starting with basic maneuvers and working our way up to more advanced profiles. At any point, we encourage our customers to communicate their comfort level and we are happy to take a break between maneuvers to give your stomach a chance to catch up.
It is a common misconception that you should fly on an empty stomach. The truth is that you should adhere to your normal habit patterns. While it may not be advisable to eat a breakfast buffet just before your flight, you should have something in your stomach, perhaps a light breakfast, such as cereal or some fruit. Though you should always stay hydrated, it is probably a good idea to stay away from alcohol before an aerobatic flight.
We also encourage customers to do as much flying as possible during the flight. The more you immerse yourself in the experience, the less likely we are to get sick. Incidentally, the most common cause of airsickness at Sky Combat Ace is due to hangovers. We know you like to party, but try to hit the sack early the day prior to your Sky Combat Ace adventure!
If you feel that you are susceptible to motion sickness, we recommend a Dramamine tablet the night prior and another one 1 to 2 hours before your flight.
Are videos or pictures included in the price?
In order to keep our prices as low as possible, we don't bundle videos or photos into the price of your experience. We offer a variety of professionally-edited photo and video packages for purchase on the day, starting at $50 per person.
Can I bring my own GoPro or camera to record the flight?
Due to FAA rules and regulations, we cannot bring unapproved cameras on SCA flights. Our custom-built mounts and cameras have been tested to withstand the rigors of unlimited aerobatics for your safety. But don't worry, we'll be recording every moment of the action with 4 onboard cameras! We offer a variety of professionally-edited photo and video packages for purchase so you can relive your adventure and show your friends!
Who do I contact for large group bookings?
Mia, our VIP Group Bookings Concierge, is looking forward to answering your questions and tailoring the ultimate adventure day for your group! Please select a time on Mia’s Calendly link and she will reach out to you at a time that suits you best. Alternatively, you can also call us at the hangar 7 days a week on +1 888-494-5850.
Can Sky Combat Ace come to us in a different city?
For special occasions and larger group bookings, we’re able to bring our aircraft, expert pilots, and adrenaline-fueled experiences directly to your location. Just let us know where you need us, and we’ll make it happen.
Need a hand choosing the ultimate aerial adventure for you? No worries wingman, we've got your six!
Just give us a buzz at 888-995-8076 and someone from the crew will be happy to assist!
Fly A Real Stunt Plane!
Sky Combat Ace was created by a U.S. Air Force veteran fighter pilot who wanted to make the thrill of flying fighter jets available to anyone who feels the need for speed.
Learn to fly a stunt plane under the supervision of our highly trained, FAA certified flight instructors. No experience necessary and YOU get to fly the plane!
OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY
All SCA flights are instructional in nature conducted by certified flight instructors in accordance with federal aviation regulations under 14 CFR Part 61 of the United States Code. Instruction will be provided during ground and flight portions for all flights.