Holy Jesus! Did you see this? An airplane pilot named Matt Hall bounced his plane off the Detroit River Saturday and survived. This happened while he was slaloming through an obstacle course, in front of a crowd (including his poor wife!) as a part of a Red Bull Air Race. This terrible, terrible idea for a sport was hatched at the highly-caffeinated beverage company's "think tank" in 2001. Earlier this year, Brazilian pilot Adisson Kindlemann crashed into the the Swan River in Perth, Australia. Luckily, he survived, too. It's very slightly reassuring to know that "any form of dangerous flying," including "crossing the crowd line" leads to disqualification during the races. But when this death-courting sporting event comes to New York City next weekend, you will not find me anywhere near the Hudson River.
No. I had no idea. I'm feeling pretty ignorant. I was amazed to learn that Red Bull had been doing it for the past seven years. Thinking about it, it occurred to me that it's probably not much more dangerous than stunt-flying shows. But notion of racing through an obstacle course in a plane. Man, that seems crazy! But people do crazy things.
I understand air racing has been around for a long time, I just have never seen it done with an obstacle course. I actually know somebody involved with this event and she claims that it is a new concept to an old sport. I agree with Dave, it's just nuts and incredibly dangerous. All it takes is one guy pulling a Cory Lidle and half a high rise is on fire.
I concur. I've seen this on tv and there is an old french racer who has a real old school aviation moustache. It's like Geraldo's but more curverd and thinner at the tips. He's my fav obv.
You do realize air racing has been around for, like, a century?
No. I had no idea. I'm feeling pretty ignorant. I was amazed to learn that Red Bull had been doing it for the past seven years. Thinking about it, it occurred to me that it's probably not much more dangerous than stunt-flying shows. But notion of racing through an obstacle course in a plane. Man, that seems crazy! But people do crazy things.
Look, I know Chesley Sullenberger was an inspiration and all, but this is a bit too much.
I understand air racing has been around for a long time, I just have never seen it done with an obstacle course. I actually know somebody involved with this event and she claims that it is a new concept to an old sport. I agree with Dave, it's just nuts and incredibly dangerous. All it takes is one guy pulling a Cory Lidle and half a high rise is on fire.
Oooh baby. Come see my share at Fire Island. It's not sober.
Is that an invitation to all of us, or just the pilot?
Bad ass.
I concur. I've seen this on tv and there is an old french racer who has a real old school aviation moustache. It's like Geraldo's but more curverd and thinner at the tips. He's my fav obv.