Photo by Adam Brinker

2006,2008 & 2009 U.S. National Aerobatic Champion

Top-Ranked U.S. Women’s Aerobatics Competitor
1985, 1998-2004, 2006, 2008 & 2009

Texas Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee

IAC Hall of Fame Inductee

In 2009, Debby won the Mike Murphy Trophy making her the highest ranking competitor in the United States.

Debby is also the longest standing member of the U.S. Unlimited Aerobatics Team, qualifying to represent the U.S. fourteen times in World Aerobatic Championships in North America and Europe. In world competition, Rihn-Harvey has been a Gold Medalist and she holds many regional titles. As a tribute to her many accomplishments, she was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003.

This native Nebraskan is the third generation of aviators in her family. Her grandfather, Roy Furstenberg, manufactured the Overland Sport Aircraft in Omaha in the 1920’s, while her father, Jack Furstenberg, began teaching her to fly in her teens.

Debby is a captain for Southwest Airlines. Besides the many hours of practice it takes for competition and airshow flying, she also ownes a flight school and fixed-base operation at La Porte Municipal Airport , Harvey & Rihn Aviation. The aerobatics school attracts pilots from around the world. Debby is also an Aerobatic Competency Evaluator (ACE) for the International Council of Airshows and an FAA Designated Flight Examiner who administers flight exams for Private Pilot through Airline Transport Pilot certificates.

Click here for a printable version of Debby's biography.

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