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| Stunt Pilots Practice Acrobatics Over MV | ||
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| By Catherine Ellerton Moapa Valley Progress Submitted Mar. 5, 2008 The call from an informant came in about 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 1. A couple of stunt pilots were practicing over the Mormon Mesa. Well, I ran out to my News Mobile and headed for the airport (being aware of the speed laws and proper driving techniques at all times). I was advised by Kirby Chambliss’ crew, Jason Resop (Crew Chief) and Lance Winter (Mechanic) that the pilots would be coming back to the airport |
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within the next 5 to 10 minutes. So I decided to stick around and find out what was going on. The pilots had to practice over the Mesa in an established waived area which had been approved by the FAA. This is a very small box they must stay within so they aren’t over a dedicated flying area or over houses. Pilots, Kirby Chambliss and Chuck Aaron were preparing for their performance at the NASCAR Races the next day. | ||
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Kirby Chambliss has been flying for 24 years and hails from Arizona where he owns an airport south of Phoenix. He air races around the world for his sponsor, Red Bull. He has raced in Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, St Petersburg, among other foreign cities, and will be heading to Abu Dhabi (Arabia) following his current American engagements. Chambliss started flying for various corporations at 21 years of age. His bosses wanted him to learn some stunt maneuvers in case he ever got into trouble and, possibly, could bail himself out. He was instantly hooked and began aerobatics and racing. Kirby is a five time U.S. National Air Race Champion and has been a World Champion. | |
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Chuck Aaron, from California, is the only FAA certified aerobatics helicopter pilot in the United States. He has been flying for 35 years. Over the last two years he has added aerobatics to his skills. He “does his thing” between the semi-finals and finals of the air races. His thing in his modified helicopter includes loops, rolls, split S, Hammerheads and Back Flips. He entertains during the NASCAR races in the United States, as well. Chuck is also a member of the Red Bull Air Race Team. | ||
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There are ten air races across the world, two of which are in the United States. This year they will be in Detroit and San Diego in May. An air race is flown through a timed obstacle course where the pilots must maneuver around pylons 50 feet off the ground. The usual speed is 250 miles per hour. For more information concerning these pilots and air racing, you can log on to www.redbullairrace.com. | |
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