Is Kevin Lacey Still Alive? What Really Happened to the Airplane Repo Star

You remember the hat. That signature cowboy hat, the Texas drawl, and the way he’d sneak onto a tarmac like he owned the place—before hot-wiring a multi-million dollar jet and disappearing into the clouds. For years, Kevin Lacey was the heartbeat of Discovery Channel's Airplane Repo. He wasn't just a pilot; he was a character who felt like a throwback to a grittier era of aviation.

But lately, the internet has been buzzing with a somber question: is Kevin Lacey still alive?

If you've been searching for answers, you’ve likely seen the conflicting reports or the sudden silence on his social media. Honestly, the aviation world lost a real legend recently. It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who grew up watching him outsmart security guards and battle engine failures mid-air.

The Truth About Kevin Lacey

To be direct: Kevin Lacey passed away on February 14, 2025.

He didn't go out in a high-speed chase or a dramatic crash like some of the scripted moments on his TV show might have suggested. Instead, he faced a much more personal battle. Kevin died following a courageous fight with cancer. He was at home, surrounded by those who knew him not as a reality TV star, but as a mentor, a father, and a friend.

It’s strange how we feel like we know these people. You spend enough Tuesday nights watching a guy "steal" Cessnas, and you start to feel a kinship. His death sent shockwaves through the General Aviation (GA) community, specifically in McKinney, Texas, where he was a local fixture.

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More Than Just a Repo Man

Most people know Kevin from the screen, but his real-life resume was way more impressive than a 44-minute episode could ever show. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving 20 years as an Aircraft Structural Repair Specialist. That’s where he got that "MacGyver" ability to fix just about anything with a wing.

After the Air Force, he spent another two decades in civilian aviation.

He didn't just repo planes; he built them. He maintained them. He lived and breathed them. In his later years, he founded Texas Air Fleet and the Tango Thirty One Aero Clube. That last one—the Aero Clube—was his real passion project. He spelled it with an extra "e" as a nod to his adventures in Brazil.

The club wasn't about fame. It was about taking kids who were "outside the fence"—the ones who loved planes but didn't have the money for flight school—and teaching them how to turn wrenches. He mentored dozens of young mechanics and pilots, giving them a career path they never thought they’d have.

The Legacy of "Fly It Like You Stole It"

Kevin even wrote a book. It’s titled Fly It Like You Stole It, and if you’ve ever wanted to know what was real and what was "TV magic" on Airplane Repo, that’s the place to look.

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He was always pretty open about the fact that reality TV is, well, produced. Some of the "tense" moments were reenactments, but the skill? That was 100% genuine. You can't fake the way he handled a bird in a crosswind.

The tributes that poured in after his passing in early 2025 all said the same thing. They called him a "legend," a "one-of-a-kind aviator," and a man who "kept the blue side up" until the very end.

What happened to the rest of the crew?

Since Kevin’s passing, fans have been checking in on the rest of the Airplane Repo cast.

• Ken Cage is still very much active in the recovery business. He’s been vocal on social media about the loss of his former co-star, often sharing stories of their time on the road.
• Mike Kennedy continues his daredevil lifestyle, though he stays a bit more under the radar these days.
• Heather Sterzick, Kevin's former protégée, has continued her career in aviation, carrying on the lessons she learned under his wing.

Why We Still Talk About Him

Why does the question "is Kevin Lacey still alive" still trend in 2026?

Because he represented a certain kind of American grit. He was the "cowboy of the sky." In a world that feels increasingly digital and sanitized, Kevin was a guy who got his hands oily. He was authentic. Even when the show was clearly amping up the drama for the cameras, Kevin’s personality felt real.

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He wasn't just a guy on a screen; he was a teacher. If you go to McKinney National Airport today, you’ll still find people talking about him. They don't talk about the Discovery Channel ratings. They talk about the kid he helped get an A&P license or the engine he helped rebuild on a Saturday morning.

Moving Forward: How to Honor His Memory

If you’re a fan looking to pay your respects or keep his spirit alive, there are a few things you can do.

1. Support Youth Aviation: Kevin’s heart was in the Tango Thirty One Aero Clube. Supporting local flight clubs that help underprivileged kids get into aviation is exactly what he would have wanted.
2. Read His Story: Grab a copy of Fly It Like You Stole It. It’s the best way to hear his voice one more time and get the "uncensored" version of his life.
3. Learn the Craft: Kevin was a big believer in knowing your aircraft. Don’t just be a "driver"; be a mechanic. Understand how the machine works.

Kevin Lacey may have "flown west," as pilots say, but the impact he had on the aviation world isn't going anywhere. He proved that you could be a "bad boy" for the cameras while being a man of immense character and service behind the scenes.

Blue skies and tailwinds, Kevin. You’re missed.