Red Bull Matadors Air Display

Kategorie: Global Gathering
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geschrieben von: Global Gathering geschrieben am: 26.07.2010 um: 11:16 Uhr
The team began in 1994 as ?The Sukhoi Duo? and was created with the aim of showcasing the Sukhoi aircraft as a truly spectacular demonstrator of both unlimited and formation aerobatics.

2005 saw the partnership with Red Bull hence their name change to ?Red Bull Matadors?. The team is made up of one of the UK?s most dynamic aerobatic teams, featuring top British pilots: Paul Bonhomme and Steve Jones.

Paul Bonhomme has been the team?s leader since 1994 with Steve Jones joining in 1997.

They have performed all over the UK and Europe, and have toured China, Japan and the Middle East in the FAI World Grand Prix series: an aerobatic competition with solo and formation categories which has been running since 1997. The Matadors have scooped three gold and two silver medals in the formation category, including a Gold medal at the 2004 World Grand Prix in Al Ain, UAE.

The Red Bull Matadors builds on Red Bull?s considerable pedigree in air sports. Aerobatic flight is the domain of only the most experienced and talented pilots, with superior powers of mental focus.

The Red Bull Matador display is designed to demonstrate the truly remarkable performance of the Sukhoi aircraft. The two pilots fly their planes in a variety of formation patterns.

The display also includes some extreme manoeuvres including the crossovers, where Paul and Steve fly towards each other at a combined speed of 400mph?

Paul Bonhomme and Steve Jones are considered to be two of the best pilots in the world, with Paul also part of this year?s Red Bull Air Race World Series:

Paul Bonhomme has competed in the World Series since 2004. He finished 2nd in the championship in 2007 and 2008. Recently crowned winner of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship (he won this in Barcelona on the 4th October).

Steve Jones has competed in the Red Bull Air Race World Series since 2004. He retired last year and works as a consultant and trainer for all 2009 Rookies pilots.

About the Pilots

Paul Bonhomme - Recently crowned winner of the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship (he won this in Barcelona on the 4th October) ? Lives in Berkshire. Born into aviator family his father was an airline pilot, mother was a flight attendant and brother is a commercial pilot. Started his flying career at White Waltham airfield as a general dogsbody in 1980 by cleaning hangers, polishing aircraft and refuelling aircraft, moving on to be a flying instructor, air taxi pilot and now an Airline Captain flying a 747 for British Airways. Paul has been flying aerobatics since the age of 17, and started displaying in 1986 for Richard Goode in his ?Ultimate Pitts?. He went on to display the Yak 50, Extra 300 and started flying in the Sukhoi in 1991. He has flown over 500 public displays and also flies vintage fighters at Duxford. His favourite aircraft is, without doubt, the one he is in at the time. His hobbies include on and off-road motorcycling and mountain biking.

Steve Jones

Lives in Gloucestershire, had his first flying lesson at the age of 5!

He is the wingman in the team.

Steve started his flying career as a glider and banner-tower, before going into air taxi flying.

He describes himself as a ?failed crop-spray pilot?, referring to an early ambition. Instead Steve became an Airline Captain and now flies a 747 for British Airways.

Steve?s first aerobatics were flown in 1978 in an aging Cessna Aerobat.

With extensive experience flying in air races and competition aerobatics, he was the UK Freestyle Champion in 1995 and overall British Aerobatic Champion in 1996. He has been flying in displays since 1993.

He currently flies the Edge 540, Extra 300, Sukhoi 26, 31 and Yak-18T aircraft and has been flying with Paul for 8 years.

His hobbies are ?anything mechanical? which includes model steam trains and vintage racing cars. He is currently building his own aeroplane.
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