ST PETERSBURG, Russia – The elusive Russian pilot in the Red Bull Air Race has yet to make the podium but his flying CV is one of the most impressive in the field. This summer, Sergey Rakhmanin celebrates 30 years of flying and despite struggling to take home any silverware so far in 2010, he remains philosophical as he reviews the poignant journey that led him to participate in the world’s most captivating motorsport competition in 2007.
“Of course I could not have imagined at the time that one day I’d be flying low level in front of the Statue of Liberty,” begins Rakhmanin, fresh from the inaugural New York race last month which drew in 75,000 spectators, lined along the banks of the Hudson River. “But of course I’m happy that my sport career lead me to such an exciting experience. I can say that aerobatics and racing are certainly very different – even the philosophy behind them.”
Adapting to new challenges
Known for his calculated and scientific approach to flying, the Russian is quick to point out that in racing all that really matters is time, speed and trajectories. It’s a contrast to the world of aerobatic competition flying where geometry and precision are key. Due to expectations based on his previous form, Rakhmanin has often had to justify why he may not yet have mastered the new discipline.
“Invite somebody from figure skating to try speed skating and even if they are already a champion, there is nothing to say they are going to get a good result straight away,” he explains, using a suitable metaphor for those unfamiliar with high level aerobatics. “Flying from 100m above ground to 15m is also a huge difference and it takes additional mental effort to adapt. But there is more to it – this is also a technical sport and both my plane and I have to be 100 per cent. In aerobatics, if I’m flying with an engine that’s giving away 15hp I can still get a good result. Do that in the Red Bull Air Race and it’s goodbye!”
The right attitude
The two-time aerobatic world champion (2003/05) has found a formula for success and he says he’s sticking to it even if the results may take time. Rakhmanin is cautious, meticulous and places much value on thorough preparation. He will often spend hours walking through a scale model of the track on his hangar floor trying to identify the best line but frustratingly he remains at the bottom of the table unable to pull it off when in the track.
“At the moment the most challenging part for me is working on the modifications to the MXS-R,” says the pilot, who rarely posts a competitive time even when flying the cleanest lines. “We have to work on this outside Russia and it’s not easy for us to organise this.”
Luckily Rakhmanin has been at the top of his game and understands the path that must be taken to achieve the prestigious title of world champion. He’s modest about his list of flying achievements, which also include being awarded the Aresti Cup, the highest possible award in aerobatic flying.
“I didn’t aim to become world champion, particularly twice. I think it is stupid to plan such events but that doesn’t mean I didn’t work hard to achieve that title,” he says. “At a certain point in my aerobatic career I realised that just having the desire to become a champion is not constructive at all and such ambitions make no absolutely no sense. I realised that only my deep personal dedication and intention to make a clean flight should lead to a higher result. Even if it didn’t happen immediately, I knew I would feel satisfied about the overall process. This attitude worked for me, made aerobatics my way of life and finally helped me to achieve those results. But if you expect me to say that I want to become a champion in this sport, my answer will be different. This has become a way of life for me and like in my aerobatic career, I try to do the best I can to feel satisfied and I’m sure this will lead to higher results.”
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