Martin Šonka

Martin Šonka

Martin Šonka}

Martin Šonka in the cockpit of his Extra 300SR aircraft at Helsinki-Malmi airport
Born March 26, 1978
Nationality Czech Republic Czech Republic
Racing career
First race 2010
Best position 11th (2010)
Aircraft Zivko Edge 540
Website
martin-sonka.cz

Martin Šonka (born March 26, 1978 in Dvůr Králové nad Labem) is a Czech aerobatics (unlimited) and a fighter pilot in the Czech Air Force. He is the beginner from the year 2010 in Red Bull Air Race.[1]

Biography

Beginnings

Martin Šonka began his aviation career in 1997. In this year he flew a glider for the first time and started his studies at University of Defence in Brno as a pilot. In 1999 he gained his Private Pilot Licence. Between 2001 and 2005 he attended Jan Perner Transport Faculty at University of Pardubice (Department of Transport Management, Marketing and Logistics). He finished his studies with a master’s degree in 2005.

The Czech Air Force

His military career started in 2000 in Pardubice. Two years after he moved to the air base in Náměšť nad Oslavou and in 2006 to 21st Tactical Air Force Base at Čáslav where he began flying L-159 Alca.

Aerobatics

In 2005 he became a member of the Czech national aerobatic team. He flies Su-31.

Red Bull Air Race

Martin Šonka taking off from Jandakot airport for the final practice before the Perth Red Bull Air Race.

In 2009 Šonka passed all Red Bull Air Race qualifying camps and gained The Red Bull Air Race Super Licence. Then he was nominated for a 2010 season rookie.

Achievements

2010

Czech Republic Martin Šonka
at the Red Bull Air Race World Championship
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Points Wins Rank
2010 United Arab Emirates
13th
Australia
14th
Brazil
13th
Canada
12th
United States
11th
Germany
11th
Hungary
CAN
Portugal
CAN
2 0 14th

Legend: * CAN: Cancelled * DNP: Did not take part * DNS: Did not start * DSQ: Disqualified

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Martin Šonka.