Biography

Sean “Skippy” VanHatten’s love of flying was sparked on an EAA Young Eagles ride at 9 years old which led to him building and flying RC airplanes through  high school. His certificates and ratings include the ATP AMEL, CE500, L-39, L-29, Fouga Magister, Commercial ASEL/S/Glider, CFI/II, AGI and IGI;
additionally, his educational background consists of an A.A.S. in Aviation-Professional Pilot from Central Oregon Community College, a B.S. in Physics with a minor in Music from Oregon State University, and is currently enrolled at the National Test Pilot School studying for his M.S. in Flight Test and  Evaluation with Fixed Wing Performance and Flying Qualities flight testing focus.

Having flown over 6000 hours in more than 140 aircraft types, Sean works as an experimental test pilot and instructor pilot specializing in high performance, technically advanced, and aerobatic aircraft. Having worked in this specialized field for 7 years, he has performed 23 first flights and flown 5 prototype aircraft. Sean is a formation lead and instructor for Sport Class Air Racing, has been racing since 2016, and is currently flying a custom-built twin turbo Glasair III capable of over 360 mph. Additionally, he is an active International Aerobatic Club competitor flying a Pitts S-1S in the Advanced category with consistent podium finishes in the Northwest region and the US National Aerobatic Championships.

When he’s not playing with airplanes, Sean enjoys skiing, motorcycles, and backpacking and camping around the Pacific Northwest as well as playing as a
substitute bassoonist in the Central Oregon Symphony.

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About Mojo

Racing is in “Mojo’s” DNA as she has more racing pedigree than any other airplane entered in the Sport Class for the 2021 season. In 2003, the first year that the aircraft was built, Kevin Eldredge raced what was then a stock Glasair III under the name “Last Minute” qualifying at 268.8 mph. He raced the airplane every other year though 2006, ultimately achieving a speed of 306 mph.

The aircraft then changed hands to Gary Mead who renamed the airplane “Lucky Mojo” and raced it for two years in its original state. Searching for more speed, he then upgraded the naturally aspirated 540 cu-in engine to a twin-turbo Lycoming 540 resulting in a 336 mph qualifying speed. Through the years, he continued to make modifications in the pursuit of speed which included increasing the displacement to 580 cu-in and installing a race propeller so that finally in 2016, after racing every year since he acquired it, he and “Lucky Mojo” were able to qualify at 364 mph.

After Gary’s passing, Bob Mills acquired the airplane and she became known as simply, “Mojo.” Racing the airplane for three years, Bob and “Mojo” flying Gary’s race number, 47, had great success racing in the Gold in Sport Class including a 3 rd place podium finish in 2019. We at Havoc Air Racing are very excited to be the next caretaker of “Mojo” and continue her racing legacy in Sport Class Air Racing at the National Championship Air Races. Current
modifications for the 2021 season include , fire suppression, intercooler delete, an upgraded water and ADI system, and upgrades to the landing gear.