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December 31, 2009 - Salzburg, Austria – In order to join the elite group of pilots who compete in the Red Bull Air Race, potential candidates must complete a rigorous qualification process which ensures only those who are completely ready for the challenge are awarded the prestigious Super License.
With the conclusion of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race season and a new world
champion, the focus moves to the new pilots who will enter the ranks
next year. Adilson Kindlemann, 36, from
The two pilots were awarded the Super License after proving their worth
at the week-long Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp at Casarrubios,
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Kindlemann, a current airline pilot with over 11,000 flight hours in his
logbook, lives south of “This year is the most important in my career,” he admits, saying his stubborn determination throughout his flying career has helped to make this dream a reality. The taste for competition flying began in 1994 for Kindlemann and he was Brazilian national aerobatic champion at Unlimited level for three consecutive years between 2001-2003. “Achieving the Red Bull Air Race Super License is the result of dedication,” he adds. “My focus earlier in the year was the World Aerobatic Championships and for me one good result is made step by step. I work on small details for big results.”
With only months
to form a race team ahead of the season opener in |
Another new face
in the line up for 2010 is Czech air force pilot Martin Sonka. At just
31, he will be the second youngest pilot to compete in the championship.
“I love speed, low flying, strong machines and I like competing against
other pilots,” says Sonka. “My career as a fighter pilot, display pilot
and aerobatic competitor prepared me to work towards becoming a race
pilot. The Red Bull Air Race is a huge challenge for me and I am ready
to face it now.”
Sonka originally got his wings flying gliders in 1999 and has been Czech
aerobatic champion across both unpowered and powered civilian categories
for the past decade while simultaneously progressing within the military
as a fighter pilot. His impressive CV will have caught the attention of
the Red Bull Air Race Committee but it is his insight into the role of a
race pilot that demonstrates he has the right attitude for the sport.
“This motorsport needs young, well-experienced pilots like me and I am
ready to push the sport higher and higher,” he enthuses. “Taking part
will be a huge responsibility, honor, challenge and a lot of hard work.
It will be a new way of life.”
Outstanding achievements in international flying competitions are a
prerequisite to obtaining the elusive Super License but pilots must also
be comfortable handling high performance aircraft at low level in front
of crowds. It’s the combination of these two areas of experience that
make a great race pilot. Precision is essential to make it through the
aerial race tracks without incurring penalties but a safe approach to
flying in close proximity to buildings, bridges and people is absolutely
vital. Even the most skilled pilots can be denied the coveted Super
License if they are not totally comfortable in this environment.
Following the retirement of American Mike Mangold and South African Glen
Dell from the Red Bull Air Race at the end of the 2009 season, the two
new pilots will bring the total to 15 pilots competing in 2010.
Kindlemann and Sonka will be up against current World Champion Paul
Bonhomme (GBR), Hannes Arch (AUT), Matt Hall (AUS), Kirby Chambliss
(USA), Nicolas Ivanoff (FRA), Nigel Lamb (GBR), Peter Besenyei (HUN),
Matthias Dolderer (GER), Michael Goulian (USA), Sergey Rakhmanin (RUS),
Alejandro Maclean (ESP), Yoshi Muroya (JPN) and Pete McLeod (CAN).
The Red Bull Air Race World Championship will touch down in familiar as well as new and spectacular locations in 2010. The full race calendar will be announced in the New Year. |
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