Our Story

The name Flying Fools comes from a phrase I grew up hearing. My father and his aviation friends used it to describe pilots who flew constantly—always chasing the next flight, the next destination, or the next excuse to get airborne. “He’s a flying fool,” they’d say, half amused, half impressed.

The phrase goes back even further. In the early days of aviation, it was commonly associated with Charles Lindbergh, and by the 1920s it appeared in newspaper headlines, films, and popular culture. During World War II, aviators were often called “fools” by those who couldn’t understand why anyone would willingly climb into fragile machines and head into danger. Over time, the meaning shifted. What began as skepticism became respect. The word stuck—not as an insult, but as a quiet badge of courage, obsession, and an unshakable pull toward flight. Flying Fools is for those who would rather be in the air than anywhere else.

 Flying Fools is for pilots who would rather be in the air than anywhere else. For years I've been making the T-shirts and hats for our local flying club, I often have dreamed of starting a lifestyle clothing brand for airplane nerds like me that love to fly and laugh. I finally pulled the trigger in October of 2025, I hope everyone enjoys wearing the Flying Fools clothing as much as I have enjoyed making them. I want to produce your favorite flying shirts. Thank you considering Flying Fools, you support means a lot to me.

I’ve been flying since I was 13 years old and have spent many years teaching others to fly. Today I’m part of an amazing community that helps keep a small grassroots airport in central Massachusetts thriving. What started as a group of pilots has grown into something more like family, with many hands working together to care for our beautiful field and keep the spirit of grassroots aviation alive. I also serve as Vice President of our local EAA chapter.

Flying Fools grew out of that world.

Blue Skies and Tailwinds,

Tabor Coates