Red Bull Air Race

Martin Sonka is a decorated Czech Air Force pilot with a decade of aerobatics experience who hopes to turn that sterling aviation background into success in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship. The rookie from the Czech Republic has been a fighter pilot and member of the prestigious Czech Air Force display team flying the L-159 Alca.

Sonka began flying gliders at age 17 at the Tabor Aeroclub near his home town. He joined the Czech Air Force in 1997 and studied at the military academy Brno. He began flying aerobatics in a glider in 2001 and two years later in powered aircraft. Sonka, who was also a gymnast for 12 years, has been a member of the Czech aerobatic team since 2005 and has flown in the Unlimited Category since 2006.

As a commentator for the Czech television broadcast of the Red Bull Air Race he got his first taste of the sport watching a race in Budapest. He was instantly hooked by the low-altitude flying, captivated by the beauty of the race as a spectator sport for the masses. Sonka said it felt as if the sport had been designed for pilots like him with fighter jet and aerobatics experience.

At 31, Sonka is the second youngest pilot in Red Bull Air Race history. Only Pete McLeod of Canada, who at 26, is younger than the Czech ace. Sonka, who has a university degree and got his Super Licence that qualified him for a spot in the championship last year, is going to focus on flying safely and cleanly through the tracks at first. He is an unabashed admirer of 2009 champion Paul Bonhomme’s elegant style of flying the track but also of Hannes Arch’s ability to so quickly learn from – and eliminate – mistakes en route to winning the 2008 championship in his second season.

THE TEAM

New to the championship, Team Sonka is made up of Josef Sonka (Martin’s brother) and South African tech Gordon New. Josef Sonka is part of a flying-mad family and with experience in regional TV management, he will assist his brother on the operational side. Under the cowlings, New will be helping the Czech family to quickly get up to speed with air racing. The qualified commercial pilot and former Air Force aircraft engineer was also a race tech for Steve Jones. New says his three-year break from the race environment has renewed his excitement for the sport and he’s raring to go in 2010.