Stephen L. Tupper

Steve Tupper holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate with type ratings in the Airbus A320 and DC-3 and commercial privileges in gliders. He is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) in single- engine airplanes and in gliders, with an instrument airplane rating (CFII). He is part of a flight instructor cadre teaching Detroit youth to fly. He has given more than 200 Young Eagles flights as part of the museum’s program through the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Air Boss of the Tuskegee Airmen, Detroit River Days Airshow

He originated and serves as the LoA-holding (RAB/SV) air boss for the Tuskegee Airmen Detroit River Days Airshow, a surface-waivered airshow over the Detroit River that has featured aerobatics, formation demonstrations, warbird fly-bys, and even the U.S. Air Force A-10 Heritage Flight Team. He handles all aspects of the show, including the FAA waiver (12 FAR sections and more than 30 special provisions) and coordination with Detroit Police, U.S. Coast Guard, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the City of Detroit, NavCanada, the Windsor harbourmaster, and others, with more than 100 personnel and performers participating on show days. He is a presenter on safety and legal matters for the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).

He has flown competition aerobatics through the International Aerobatic Club and briefly held the Primary championship of the Michigan Aerobatic Open.

Legal Expertise in Aviation and Technology

He is a lawyer and principal shareholder of Tupper Law Firm PC, with specialties in aviation, information technology, privacy, data security, and corporate transactions. Before striking out on his own, he was a partner with a national and international practice in a 400-lawyer law firm based in Detroit. Other experience includes major IT contract administration and commercial banking. He is admitted to practice in Michigan, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, and the United States Supreme Court.

Dedicated Civil Air Patrol Officer

He is a lieutenant colonel, legal officer, instructor pilot, check airman examiner, and search-and- rescue pilot for the Civil Air Patrol (U.S. Air Force Aux). He currently serves as the Program Manager for Standards and Evaluation at CAP NHQ and as the Deputy Commander for Operations of CAP’s Michigan Wing.