Flying High at 62: woman pilot''s team enthrall many

Bangalore, Feb 10 (PTI) Age is no bar for this 62-year-oldwoman pilot who is still flying high leading the Flying Bulls,the Czech Republic-based aerobatic team that is performing atthe ongoing Aero India 2011 show here.

Radka Machova''s role in the aerobatic team includes leadingthe formation into various complex manoeuvres, a verticalloop, a dive or roll on, the manager, Martin, said.

A mother of two and avid photographer, Radka loves hercurrent profile, Martin said

"It is the adventure, the thrill of the sport and positivemindset that keeps her going", he said.

Surprisingly, the gravitational forces, which could take atoll on the body when flying at those altitudes also do notappear to have impacted Radka.

Radka along with her other team mates, Jiri Saller, GiriVebrel and Miro Slav Krejci left many speechless as theyperformed mid-air manoeuvres, displaying amazing precision,agility, alertness of mind and quick reflexes.

The Flying Bulls, a part of the Red Bull family, comprisefour pilots (three men and a woman) are known for theiracrobats in the air.

The team has together logged in around 35,000 flying hours.

The team, comprising lovers of vintage aircraft, haveperformed in 600 shows in 30 countries and participate inaround 50 displays a year. All the group members are above 50and are veterans in their field.

The team''s highlights are its 19 manoeuvres, including itssignature manoeuvre of the mirror flight where the two planesmirror each other''s image in opposite directions while thethird loops around them. Their daredevilry acts in mid-airalso include the dog fight'', a barrel loop, a hammer head,and an inverted G. Perfect coordination, timing and precisionare the key to all the manoeuvres, said the team.

The Flying Bulls are performing with their fleet of fourZlin 50 LXes.