Airshow star Patty Wagstaff pleads no contest, pays fine

Airshow performer and aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff

Airshow performer and aerobatic champion Patty Wagstaff paid $500 in fines Dec. 19 and had her driver’s license suspended in Wisconsin for eight months for an incident on July 31 on the grounds of the Oshkosh airport. The suspension is retroactive to the incident, and all but three of the months have expired.

Wagstaff apologized in a statement on her Web site: “To the extent that my actions of that evening brought undue or unwanted attention to EAA or the local community, I am truly regretful. In that light, and as I considered how for more than 25 years now I have received much more from so many fans, friends, family and others in aviation than I can ever repay, I have accepted personal responsibility for my actions by pleading no contest to the remaining reduced charges. And despite statements or actions that some others have either attributed to me that evening or insinuated occurred, this outcome puts those rumors to rest as well.”

In a statement, Cirrus Design officials showed strong support for the airshow star. “We are extremely proud to be Patty's primary sponsor and to be associated with aviation's leading personality and airshow performer. That has been true since the start of our professional relationship several years ago and remains so today. Our support of Patty has been unwavering and the outcome of this particular incident only serves to strengthen our commitment,” said Todd Simmons, vice president for marketing.