Matthias Dolderer (born 15 September 1970 in

Ochsenhausen Ochsenhausen () is a city in the district of Biberach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located between the city of Biberach and Memmingen. it has a population of 8,916. The mayor of the town is Andreas Denzel. History For many centuri ...

Baden Württemberg Baden (; ) is a historical territory in South Germany, in earlier times on both sides of the Upper Rhine but since the Napoleonic Wars only East of the Rhine. History The margraves of Baden originated from the House of Zähringen. Baden i ...

) is a German professional race pilot. He is the 2016 champion of the

Red Bull Air Race The World Championship Air Race is a series of air races sanctioned by the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). Originally established in 2003 as the Red Bull Air Race, and created by Red Bull GmbH, the event involves competitors navigating a ...

Flying career

Beginnings

Dolderer, who once colourfully compared the precision-flying of the Red Bull Air Race to trying to park a car in a garage while travelling at nearly 400 kilometres per hour, first went flying with his father when he was three years old. He was raised at his parents' flight school and at the early age of five became hooked on machines and fast cars making his first solo flight at 14. His life has revolved around

aviation Aviation includes the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. ''Aircraft'' includes fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air craft such as hot ...

ever since. "Flying was my passion from the very first moment and my inspiration. I've spent my whole life in hangars, on airfields and in cockpits," says Dolderer. He gained a glider and

ultralight Ultralight aviation (called microlight aviation in some countries) is the flying of lightweight, 1- or 2-seat fixed-wing aircraft. Some countries differentiate between weight-shift control and conventional three-axis control aircraft with aile ...

license at the age of 17 and the following year obtained his private pilot's license. Just a few days later he finished 3rd in the German Championships. From 1988 until 1991, Matthias Dolderer took part in four German and two European Championships, and the World Championships as a member of the national ultralight team. He ended his ultralight aviator career as the German Champion. At 21 he became the youngest flight teacher in Germany. He and his sister Verena took over

Tannheim Tannheim (Württemberg) () is a municipality in the district of Biberach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Geography It is located in upper Swabia at the river Iller which forms the border to Bavaria. Sights *Church of St. Martin, built 17 ...

Airfield to continue their family's vision: 'To establish a meeting place for aviators, enthusiasts, amateurs as well as professionals.' The legendary

Tannkosh Tannkosh was a large airshow and fly-in held annually in July at Tannheim, upper Swabia Swabia ; german: Schwaben , colloquially ''Schwabenland'' or ''Ländle''; archaic English also Suabia or Svebia is a cultural, historic and linguisti ...

event, Europe's biggest Fly-In, became a reality in 1993. Dolderer has spent almost 300 days of his life in the cockpit in more than 150 different aircraft types, with 25,000 landings all over the world and has performed in many

air show An air show (or airshow, air fair, air tattoo) is a public event where aircraft are exhibited. They often include aerobatics demonstrations, without they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground. The largest air show ...

s across Europe since 1993. In 2002 he became an official pilot of the , Austria, where he still performs with different aircraft.

Competition aerobatics

In 2006, Matthias Dolderer intensified his aerobatic activities to become a Red Bull Air Race pilot in the near future. Just one year later, he took part at the World Aerobatic Championship, category "Unlimited". In 2008, Dolderer made his breakthrough after hard training. He won the German Aerobatic Championship and achieved also top standings at international competitions such as the World Aerobatics Cup.

Red Bull Air Race pilot

Matthias Dolderer's achievements opened him the way for an invitation to attend the Red Bull Air Race qualification camp in Casarrubios,

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' ( Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...

, at the end of September 2008. Of the six candidates, five qualified for the "super license" required to compete in the world championship. Matthias Dolderer was one of four rookies selected for active race status. He flies a white

Zivko Edge 540 The Zivko Edge 540 manufactured by Zivko Aeronautics is a highly aerobatic aircraft. Capable of a 420 degree per second roll rate and a 3,700 foot per minute climb rate, it has been flown to victory on the international Unlimited aerobatics ci ...

V3 with the German colours of red, black and yellow on his tail and winglets. He flies under the number 21.

Achievements

2009-2010

2014-

Legend: * CAN: Cancelled * DNP: Did not take part * DNS: Did not start * DSQ: Disqualified * DNF: Did Not Finish 2008 * European Aerobatic Championships, "Unlimited" Category, 19th Place * World Aerobatics Cup, Czech Republic, "Unlimited" Category, 2nd place * German Aerobatic Championships, "Unlimited" Category, 1st place * German Aerobatic Championships, 4-minute freestyle program, 2nd place * Qualified at the Red Bull Air Race Qualification Camp and selected to race in 2009 2007 * Participation German Aerobatic Championships "Unlimited" Category * Participation World Aerobatics Championships "Unlimited" Category 2006 * Participation German Aerobatic Championship, "Advanced" Category 1991 * Microlight European Championships, German Champion 1990 * Microlight World Championships 1988 * Microlight European Championships 1988 till 1991 * Microlight German Championships

References

External links

Matthias Dolderer
– Official Website
Red Bull Air Race World Championship
– Official Website
Air Races
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dolderer, Matthias 1970 births Living people People from Ochsenhausen Sportspeople from Tübingen (region) Aerobatic pilots German air racers Red Bull Air Race World Championship pilots German flight instructors